had passed between Jonathan and the boy, came from his
hiding-place, and as there was no one to see or hear them, those lads
of Israel in that far off land, sat together and talked as lads of
to-day might talk, while the sun was sinking low in the west, although
by doing so, they took a very great risk should they be found together.
But both of them were forgetful of all but the joy of being together.
Then with slow step and arm linked in arm, they walked together to the
spot where David had been in hiding, and with a quick realisation of
the danger ever shadowing David's life, both boys were overcome by the
depth of their affection for each other, and by the fear that something
was going to part them, and in the custom of the Orient at that time,
they clasped hands and made a solemn covenant, or vow, of eternal
friendship and mutual help, to extend after the death of either to
their descendants.

It was indeed a solemn moment, and the deepest feeling in the boyish
hearts was stirred when they made their vow under the wide blue sky,
and looked long and sadly into each other's eyes. Then Jonathan said to
David:

"Go in peace because we have sworn, both of us, in the name of the
Lord, saying, 'The Lord be between me and thee, and between my seed and
thy seed for ever;' and then, with a lingering good-bye, Jonathan went
back to his home, with a heart aching, not only with loneliness for
David, but full of fear of what he would have to suffer and bear in the
coming days, and of regret for that weakness of character which he knew
his father had allowed to go beyond his own control. And David went to
Nob, a city north of Jerusalem, where there was at that time the chief
place of worship of the Israelites, and where David naturally turned
his steps for instructions and also for food. The story of his flight
had not reached the little town among the hills, and he was received
with the honour due to the King's son-in-law, although Ahimeleck, the
chief priest, was astonished that he came without an armour-bearer or a
retinue of attendants. Seeing his surprise, David pretended to have
come on urgent, secret business for Saul, and begged for food. The
priest, believing this, felt that he must treat him with all possible
honour, and as there was no other food ready, gave him the bread which
was for use on the altar. Meanwhile, David's quick eye had caught a
glimpse of a face staring at him through the cracks in the simple
forest b