(25) And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place was empty. (26) Nevertheless Saul spake not anything that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean. (27) And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David's place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor today? (28) And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem: (29) And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king's table. (30) Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness? (31) For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die. (32) And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done? (33) And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David. (34) So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.
It should seem, that the plan between David and Jonathan for the discovery of the real intention of Saul, was of the Lord. For, humanly speaking, had David sat in his usual place, before Saul, he could not have escaped with his life, when Jonathan's life became so endangered, only from Saul's disappointment. How profitable is it to remark the watchful eye of the Lord over his people! Reader! depend upon it, there are a thousand escapes of this kind, more or less, in the lives of God's children, and of which they are altogether unconscious. When we come to look over the battlements of heaven, and see all the way which the Lord our God hath led us through the wilderness, what songs of praise will burst forth in the view of deliverances? See that sweet promise: Isaiah 42:16.