Then Jonathanspokewellof Davidto Saulhis fatherand saidto him, "Do not let the kingsinagainst his servantDavid,sincehe has not sinnedagainst you, and sincehis deeds[have been] verybeneficialto you.
Reubenansweredthem, saying,"Did I not tellyou, 'Do not sinagainst the boy;and you would not listen?Nowcomesthe reckoningfor his blood."
"Whoever shedsman'sblood,By manhis bloodshall be shed,For in the imageof GodHe mademan.
"Ifa mansinsagainst his neighborand is madeto takean oath,and he comes[and] takesan oathbeforeYour altarin thishouse,
They repayme evilfor good,[To] the bereavementof my soul.
For noguiltof [mine], they runand setthemselves against me. ArouseYourself to helpme, and see!
He who returnsevilfor good,Evilwill not departfrom his house.
Should goodbe repaidwith evil?For they have duga pitfor me. Rememberhow I stoodbeforeYou To speakgoodon their behalf,So as to turnawayYour wrathfrom them.
And so,by sinningagainstthe brethrenand woundingtheir consciencewhen it is weak,you sinagainstChrist.
Everyonewho hateshis brotheris a murderer;and you knowthat nomurdererhaseternallifeabidingin him.
"Ifone mansinsagainst another,Godwill mediatefor him; but ifa mansinsagainst the LORD,whocan intercedefor him?" But they would not listento the voiceof their father,for the LORDdesiredto putthem to death.
But JonathanansweredSaulhis fatherand saidto him, "Whyshould he be putto death?Whathas he done?"
Then Ahimelechansweredthe kingand said,"And whoamong allyour servantsis as faithfulas David,even the king'sson-in-law,who is captain overyour guard,and is honoredin your house?
