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[235]
But on the next day, which was the new moon, the king, when he had
purified himself, as the custom was, came to supper; and when there sat
by him his son Jonathan on his right hand, and Abner, the captain of his
host, on the other hand, he saw David's seat was empty, but said nothing,
supposing that he had not purified himself since he had accompanied with
his wife, and so could not be present; but when he saw that he was not
there the second day of the month neither, he inquired of his son Jonathan
why the son of Jesse did not come to the supper and the feast, neither
the day before nor that day. So Jonathan said, That he was gone, according
to the agreement between them, to his own city, where his tribe kept a
festival, and that by his permission: that he also invited him to come
to their sacrifice; "and," says Jonathan, "if thou wilt
give me leave, I Will go thither, for thou knowest the good-will that I
bear him." And then it was that Jonathan understood his father's hatred
to David, and plainly saw his entire disposition; for Saul could not restrain
his anger, but reproached Jonathan, and called him the son of a runagate,
and an enemy; and said he was a partner with David, and his assistant,
and that by his behavior he showed he had no regard to himself, or to his
mother, and would not be persuaded of this, - that while David is alive,
their kingdom was not secure to them; yet did he bid him send for him,
that he might be punished. And when Jonathan said, in answer, "What
hath he done that thou wilt punish him?" Saul no longer contented
himself to express his anger in bare words, but snatched up his spear,
and leaped upon him, and was desirous to kill him. He did not indeed do
what he intended, because he was hindered by his friends; but it appeared
plainly to his son that he hated David, and greatly desired to despatch
him, insomuch that he had almost slain his son with his own hands on his
account.
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