"Now,therefore, when I cometo your servantmy father,and the ladis not with us, since his lifeis boundup in the lad's life,
But he said,"Farbe it from me to dothis.The manin whosepossessionthe cuphas been found,he shall be my slave;but as for you, goup in peaceto your father."
"We saidto my lord,'We havean oldfatherand a littlechildof [his] oldage.Now his brotheris dead,so he aloneis leftof his mother,and his fatherloveshim.'
"But we saidto my lord,'The ladcannotleavehis father,for if he should leavehis father,his father would die.'
when he seesthat the ladis not [with us], he will die.Thus your servantswill bringthe grayhairof your servantour fatherdownto Sheolin sorrow.
"For howshall I goup to my fatherif the ladis not with me-- for fearthat I seethe evilthat would overtakemy father?"
The kingwas deeplymovedand wentup to the chamberoverthe gateand wept.And thushe saidas he walked,"O my sonAbsalom,my son,my sonAbsalom!WouldI had diedinsteadof you, O Absalom,my son,my son!"
Now it cameabout when he had finishedspeakingto Saul,that the soulof Jonathanwas knitto the soulof David,and Jonathanlovedhim as himself.
"Should anyoneriseup to pursueyou and to seekyour life,then the lifeof my lordshall be boundin the bundleof the livingwith the LORDyour God;but the livesof your enemiesHe will slingout as from the hollowof a sling.
