Jon'a-than and Da'vid arranged a clever plan by which the latter could be secretly informed of Saul's feelings toward him. On the day following the close of the festival Da'vid was to hide behind some cliffs in the shallow valley between Gib'e-ah and Nob, while Jon'a-than was to take his bow and shoot three arrows in the direction of Da'vid's hiding place. If the arrows were shot beyond the hiding place, it would be a sign of danger; if they fell short, it meant that Saul intended no harm toward Da'vid. A boy was to be brought along to pick up the arrows, and Da'vid was to learn the message from his friend through the directions given to the boy.
On the first day of the feast Da'vid's place was vacant, but Saul made no inquiry. On the second day the king noticed the absence of Da'vid and asked Jon'a-than why he had not been there on either day of the festival. Jon'a-than mentioned Da'vid's wish to attend the service at Beth'le-hem, and told his father that he had given him permission to go. Saul was so vexed with his son for taking the part of Da'vid that he hurled a spear at him. He accused the young prince of forming the strongest ties of friendship with a rival to the throne, and tried to turn him against Da'vid by appealing to his own ambition and self-advantage. Saul then declared with vehement anger, "As for Da'vid, he shall surely die"; and ordered his men to see to it that the young officer was brought to him at once.
On the following day Jon'a-than went to the place agreed upon with Da'vid and shot the arrows beyond the place of hiding, shouting to the boy he had brought with him, "The arrow is beyond thee!" Then he sent the boy away and went into the field to meet Da'vid. The two devoted friends embraced and kissed each other on the cheek, weeping bitterly as they faced a separation which might be long. Da'vid, who seems to have been the more deeply affected of the two, clung to Jon'a-than a long time before he could bear to let him go; then he said, "Go in peace, the LORD shall be between me and thee, and between my children and thy children forever."
From this time to the end of Saul's reign, Da'vid led the life of a roaming exile and hunted outlaw. He wandered over the country, spending most of his time in the wilderness south of Je-ru'sa-lem, constantly pursued by the soldiers of the angry king.
