So the twoof them madea covenantbeforethe LORD;and Davidstayedat Horeshwhile Jonathanwentto his house.
But the kingsparedMephibosheth,the sonof Jonathanthe sonof Saul,becauseof the oathof the LORDwhichwas betweenthem, betweenDavidand Saul'ssonJonathan.
Then Davidsaid,"Is thereyetanyoneleftof the houseof Saul,that I may showhim kindnessfor Jonathan'ssake?"
Now it cameabout when he had finishedspeakingto Saul,that the soulof Jonathanwas knitto the soulof David,and Jonathanlovedhim as himself.
Then Jonathanmadea covenantwith Davidbecause he lovedhim as himself.
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.
"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?"
Then Davidcameto Nobto Ahimelechthe priest;and Ahimelechcametremblingto meetDavidand saidto him, "Whyare you aloneand noonewith you?"