1 Samuel 20:6-8

Good News Translation

⁶ If your father notices that I am not at the table, tell him that I begged your permission to hurry home to Bethlehem, since it's the time for the annual sacrifice there for my whole family. ⁷ If he says, ‘All right,’ I will be safe; but if he becomes angry, you will know that he is determined to harm me. ⁸ Please do me this favor, and keep the sacred promise you made to me. But if I'm guilty, kill me yourself Why take me to your father to be killed?”