Definition: If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked [leave] of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for [there is] a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Samuel 20:6. It’s a really important passage about loyalty and David’s duty. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse speaks about David’s responsibility to his father, Saul, when Saul is away. He’s told to earn his father’s permission to go to Bethlehem – a city near Jerusalem – if he needs to leave for a while. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “If thy father at all miss me…” - This is a crucial part. David is saying, “If my father ever forgets about me, then I need to tell him.” It’s a serious statement of importance. “…then say, David earnestly asked [leave] of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city.” – This is the core of the verse. David says he asked Saul for permission to go to Bethlehem. He was very persistent and insistent in asking. He wanted to be with his father. “for there is” - This highlights the reason: “because there is” a yearly sacrifice happening in Bethlehem. This was a religious tradition, and it involved offering something to God as a sign of remembrance and gratitude. Putting it all together: David is essentially saying: "If my father ever forgets about me, I need to ask him for permission to go to Bethlehem – because there’s a yearly sacrifice happening there that we need to honor.” It emphasizes his loyalty and devotion to his father. Why is this important? This verse shows David's incredible leadership and commitment. It demonstrates he was willing to put himself at risk, even for his father's approval, because it was an important religious obligation. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the story surrounding this verse? Give you a little more context about Saul and David’s relationship?