A manof [too many] friends[comes] to ruin,But thereis a friendwhostickscloserthana brother.
"I am distressedfor you, my brotherJonathan;You have been verypleasantto me. Your loveto me was morewonderfulThanthe loveof women.
But Ittaiansweredthe kingand said,"As the LORDlives,and as my lordthe kinglives,surelywherevermy lordthe kingmay be, whetherfor deathorfor life,therealsoyour servantwill be."
Absalomsaidto Hushai,"Is thisyour loyaltyto your friend?Whydid you not gowith your friend?"
But the kingsparedMephibosheth,the sonof Jonathanthe sonof Saul,becauseof the oathof the LORDwhichwas betweenthem, betweenDavidand Saul'ssonJonathan.
A friendlovesat alltimes,And a brotheris bornfor adversity.
Do not forsakeyour own friendor your father'sfriend,And do not goto your brother'shousein the dayof your calamity;Betteris a neighborwho is nearthana brotherfaraway.
Oiland perfumemakethe heartglad,So a man'scounselis sweetto his friend.
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.
