Jonathan answers Saul as David suggested in verse 6 above.

Earnestly asked leave: literally “to ask he asked,” an example of reinforcing verbs (see the comments on “reinforcing verbs” in the introduction, page 20). The Hebrew contains no word corresponding to leave, but the context makes it clear that Jonathan is reporting that David asked his permission to go to Bethlehem.

On the place name Bethlehem, see 16.4.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .