Then Jonathanmadea covenantwith Davidbecause he lovedhim as himself.
But the kingsparedMephibosheth,the sonof Jonathanthe sonof Saul,becauseof the oathof the LORDwhichwas betweenthem, betweenDavidand Saul'ssonJonathan.
A manof [too many] friends[comes] to ruin,But thereis a friendwhostickscloserthana brother.
Now SaultoldJonathanhis sonand allhis servantsto putDavidto death.But Jonathan,Saul'sson,greatlydelightedin David.
When the ladwas gone,Davidrosefrom the southsideand fellon his faceto the ground,and bowedthreetimes.And they kissedeachotherand wepttogether,but David[wept] the more.
Jonathansaidto David,"Goin safety,inasmuchas we have swornto eachotherin the nameof the LORD,saying,The LORDwill be betweenme and you, and betweenmy descendantsand your descendantsforever.'"Then he roseand departed,while Jonathanwentinto the city.
"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.
