Genesis 31:27
Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp? Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?
The words are Laban's confrontation of Jacob after overtaking him following Jacob's secret departure. Jacob had left with his family and all he had while Laban was absent, and Laban did not learn of it until after three days. He had departed secretly without a farewell because he feared the hostility of Laban's sons and was in danger. He had sought God's direction, and God had told him to return to his homeland and promised to be with him.
Laban pursued Jacob in anger, determined to bring him back by force. God pitied Jacob and warned Laban in a dream not to speak good or bad to him. That warning meant Laban must neither force him to return nor urge him back with flattering inducements.
Restrained from doing hurt, Laban reproached Jacob for fleeing secretly without telling him and for carrying off his daughters like captives. He claimed he would have given him a joyful send-off with music and feasting. That claimed send-off would have included mirth and songs with tabret and harp, with opportunity to bid farewell to his daughters and their children. The complaint was insincere, for he had withheld his daughters' marriage dowry and had always treated Jacob with craft and harshness.