19 On the third day you will be missed all the more. Go to the spot where you hid on the other occasion and wait near the mound there.
20 On the third day of the month I will shoot arrows to the side of it, as though aiming at a target.
21 I will then send my attendant to recover the arrows. If in fact I say to him, ‘Look, the arrow is this side of you; pick it up,’ come, for you are safe. As the Lord lives, there will be nothing to fear.
22 But if I say to the boy, ‘Look, the arrow is beyond you,’ go, for the Lord sends you away.
23 However, in the matter which you and I have discussed, the Lord shall be between you and me forever.”
24 So David hid in the open country. On the day of the new moon, when the king sat down at the feast to dine,
25 he took his usual place against the wall. Jonathan sat facing him, while Abner sat at the king’s side. David’s place was vacant.