Now it cameabout when he had finishedspeakingto Saul,that the soulof Jonathanwas knitto the soulof David,and Jonathanlovedhim as himself.
"Now,therefore, when I cometo your servantmy father,and the ladis not with us, since his lifeis boundup in the lad's life,
"I am distressedfor you, my brotherJonathan;You have been verypleasantto me. Your loveto me was morewonderfulThanthe loveof women.
Davidwentout to meetthem, and saidto them, "Ifyou comepeacefullyto me to helpme, my heartshall be unitedwith you; but ifto betrayme to my adversaries,since there is nowrongin my hands,may the Godof our fatherslookon [it] and decide."
Teachme Your way,O LORD;I will walkin Your truth;Unitemy heartto fearYour name.
A manof [too many] friends[comes] to ruin,But thereis a friendwhostickscloserthana brother.
"Ifyour brother,your mother'sson,oryour sonordaughter,orthe wifeyou cherish,oryour friendwhois as your own soul,enticeyou secretly,saying,Let us goand serveothergods(whomneitheryou noryour fathershave known,
that their heartsmay be encouraged,having been knit togetherin love,and [attaining] to allthe wealththat comes from the full assuranceof understanding,[resulting] in a true knowledgeof God'smystery,[that is], Christ[Himself],
Thus allthe menof Israelwere gatheredagainstthe city,unitedas oneman.
But the peoplesaidto Saul,"Must Jonathandie,whohas broughtaboutthisgreatdeliverancein Israel?Farfrom it! As the LORDlives,not one hairof his headshall fallto the ground,for he has workedwith Godthisday."So the peoplerescuedJonathanand he did not die.
Then Jonathanmadea covenantwith Davidbecause he lovedhim as himself.
Now SaultoldJonathanhis sonand allhis servantsto putDavidto death.But Jonathan,Saul'sson,greatlydelightedin David.
So JonathantoldDavidsaying,"Saulmy fatheris seekingto putyou to death.Nowtherefore, pleasebe on guardin the morning,and stayin a secretplaceand hideyourself.
Jonathanmade Davidvowagainbecause of his lovefor him, becausehe lovedhim as he lovedhis own life.
"Therefore dealkindlywith your servant,for you have broughtyour servantinto a covenantof the LORDwith you. But ifthereis iniquityin me, putme to deathyourself;for whythenshould you bringme to your father?"
"For allof you have conspiredagainstme so that thereis noonewho disclosesto me when my sonmakes[a covenant] with the sonof Jesse,and thereis noneof you who is sorryfor me or disclosesto me that my sonhas stirredup my servantagainstme to liein ambush,as [it is] thisday."
So the twoof them madea covenantbeforethe LORD;and Davidstayedat Horeshwhile Jonathanwentto his house.
