If thy father make mention of me, then say, David asked leave of me, that he might go to Bethlehem to his own city: for there is a [a]yearly sacrifice for all that family.

And if he say thus, It is well, thy servant shall have peace: but if he be angry, be sure that wickedness is concluded of him.

So shalt thou show mercy unto thy servant: (A)for thou hast joined thy servant into a covenant of the Lord with thee, and if there be in me iniquity, slay thou me? for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 20:6 Read 1 Sam. 1:21.

If your father misses me at all, tell him, ‘David earnestly asked my permission(A) to hurry to Bethlehem,(B) his hometown, because an annual(C) sacrifice is being made there for his whole clan.’ If he says, ‘Very well,’ then your servant is safe. But if he loses his temper,(D) you can be sure that he is determined(E) to harm me. As for you, show kindness to your servant, for you have brought him into a covenant(F) with you before the Lord. If I am guilty, then kill(G) me yourself! Why hand me over to your father?”

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