But the kingsparedMephibosheth,the sonof Jonathanthe sonof Saul,becauseof the oathof the LORDwhichwas betweenthem, betweenDavidand Saul'ssonJonathan.
So the kingsaidto Ziba,"Behold,allthat belongs to Mephiboshethis yours." And Zibasaid,"I prostratemyself; let me findfavorin your sight,O my lord,the king!"
It was whenhe camefrom Jerusalemto meetthe king,that the kingsaidto him, "Whydid you not gowith me, Mephibosheth?"
Now Jonathan,Saul'sson,had a soncrippledin his feet.He was fiveyearsoldwhen the reportof Sauland Jonathancamefrom Jezreel,and his nursetookhim up and fled.And it happenedthat in her hurryto flee,he felland becamelame.And his namewas Mephibosheth.
Then Davidsaid,"Is thereyetanyoneleftof the houseof Saul,that I may showhim kindnessfor Jonathan'ssake?"
"You and your sonsand your servantsshall cultivatethe landfor him, and you shall bringin [the produce] so that your master'sgrandsonmay havefood;nevertheless Mephiboshethyour master'sgrandsonshall eatat my tableregularly."Now Zibahad fifteensonsand twentyservants.
Mephibosheth,the sonof Jonathanthe sonof Saul,cameto Davidand fellon his faceand prostratedhimself. And Davidsaid,"Mephibosheth."And he said,"Hereis your servant!"
Davidsaidto him, "Do not fear,for I will surelyshowkindnessto you for the sakeof your fatherJonathan,and will restoreto you allthe landof your grandfatherSaul;and you shall eatat my tableregularly."
I say, "Keepthe commandof the kingbecauseof the oathbefore God.
Then Jonathanmadea covenantwith Davidbecause he lovedhim as himself.
Then Jonathansaidto David,"The LORD,the Godof Israel,[be witness]! WhenI have soundedout my fatherabout this timetomorrow,[or] the thirdday, behold,if there is good[feeling] towardDavid,shall I not thensendto you and makeit knownto you?
"You shall not cutoffyour lovingkindnessfrom my houseforever,not even when the LORDcutsoffeveryoneof the enemiesof Davidfrom the faceof the earth."
Jonathanmade Davidvowagainbecause of his lovefor him, becausehe lovedhim as he lovedhis own life.
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?"
So the twoof them madea covenantbeforethe LORD;and Davidstayedat Horeshwhile Jonathanwentto his house.
Davidsworeto Saul.And Saulwentto his home,but Davidand his menwentup to the stronghold.
