And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Beth-lehem:

And Jonathan answereth Saul, 'David hath been earnestly asked of me unto Beth-Lehem,

And answering Saul, Jonathan said, He made a request to me that he might go to Beth-lehem,

And Jonathan responded to Saul, "He petitioned me earnestly that he might go to Bethlehem,

And Jonathan answered Saul,.... In reply to Saul's question, and to excuse David, he said:
David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem; his own city, his native place, where his family lived, whom he was desirous to see, and yet chose not to go without asking leave; and as Saul was not at home, he asked leave of Jonathan, who was next to him, and acted for him; and he was very pressing and importunate in his suit, and therefore Jonathan could not well deny him it; and he hoped this would ben sufficient excuse for his absence, especially when what follows should be observed.