23As for what you and I were talking of, the Lord is between you and me for ever.
24So David went to a secret place in the country: and when the new moon came, the king took his place at the feast.
25And the king took his seat, as at other times, by the wall: and Jonathan was in front, and Abner was seated by Saul's side, but there was no one in David's seat.
26But Saul said nothing that day, for his thought was, Something has taken place making him unclean; it is clear that he is not clean.
27And on the day after the new moon, that is, the second day, there was still no one in David's seat: and Saul said to his son Jonathan, Why has the son of Jesse not come to the feast yesterday or today?
28And answering Saul, Jonathan said, He made a request to me that he might go to Beth-lehem,
29Saying, Our family is making an offering in the town, and my brothers have given me orders to be there: so now, if I have grace in your eyes, let me go away and see my brothers. This is why he has not come to the king's table.
