, and went thither in great haste himself; and when
he was just by the place, Samuel, before he saw him, made him prophesy
also. And when Saul came to him, he was disordered in mind [19] and
under the vehement agitation of a spirit; and, putting off his garments,
[20] he fell down, and lay on the ground all that day and night, in the
presence of Samuel and David.

6. And David went thence, and came to Jonathan, the son of Saul, and
lamented to him what snares were laid for him by his father; and said,
that though he had been guilty of no evil, nor had offended against him,
yet he was very zealous to get him killed. Hereupon Jonathan exhorted
him not to give credit to such his own suspicions, nor to the calumnies
of those that raised those reports, if there were any that did so, but
to depend on him, and take courage; for that his father had no such
intention, since he would have acquainted him with that matter, and
have taken his advice, had it been so, as he used to consult with him in
common when he acted in other affairs. But David sware to him that so
it was; and he desired him rather to believe him, and to provide for his
safety, than to despise what he, with great sincerity, told him: that
he would believe what he said, when he should either see him killed
himself, or learn it upon inquiry from others: and that the reason why
his father did not tell him of these things, was this, that he knew of
the friendship and affection that he bore towards him.

7. Hereupon, when Jonathan found that this intention of Saul was so well
attested, he asked him what he would have him do for him. To which David
replied, "I am sensible that thou art willing to gratify me in every
thing, and procure me what I desire. Now tomorrow is the new moon, and I
was accustomed to sit down then with the king at supper: now, if it seem
good to thee, I will go out of the city, and conceal myself privately
there; and if Saul inquire why I am absent, tell him that I am gone to
my own city Bethlehem, to keep a festival with my own tribe; and add
this also, that thou gavest me leave so to do. And if he say, as is
usually said in the case of friends that are gone abroad, It is well
that he went, then assure thyself that no latent mischief or enmity may
be feared at his hand; but if he answer otherwise, that will be a sure
sign that he hath some designs against me, Accordingly thou shalt inform
me of thy father's inclinations; and that out of pity to m