Before they left, the men told her, “We will be bound by the oath we have taken only if you follow these instructions.
The king spared Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth, who was Saul’s grandson, because of the oath David and Jonathan had sworn before the Lord.
“You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.
A man who makes a vow to the Lord or makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he said he would do.
When we come into the land, you must leave this scarlet rope hanging from the window through which you let us down. And all your family members—your father, mother, brothers, and all your relatives—must be here inside the house.
If you betray us, however, we are not bound by this oath in any way.”