Jonathan made a covenant with David(A) because he loved him as much as himself.

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12 “By the Lord, the God of Israel, I will sound out my father by this time tomorrow or the next day. If I find out that he is favorable toward you, will I not send for you and tell you?[a] 13 If my father intends to bring evil on you, may God punish Jonathan and do so severely(A) if I do not tell you[b] and send you away so you may go in peace. May the Lord be with you,(B) just as He was with my father. 14 If I continue to live, treat me with the Lord’s faithful love, but if I die, 15 don’t ever withdraw your faithful love from my household—not even when the Lord cuts off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.”(C) 16 Then Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David,(D) saying, “May the Lord hold David’s enemies accountable.”[c](E) 17 Jonathan once again swore to David[d] in his love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.(F)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 20:12 Lit and uncover your ear
  2. 1 Samuel 20:13 Lit will uncover your ears
  3. 1 Samuel 20:16 Lit Lord require it from the hand of David’s enemies
  4. 1 Samuel 20:17 LXX; MT reads Jonathan once again made David swear

18 Then the two of them made a covenant in the Lord’s presence.(A) Afterward, David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.

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