⁷ The king spared Mephibosheth^(A) son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath^(B) before the Lord between David and Jonathan son of Saul.

Saul’s Growing Fear of David

18 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan^(A) became one in spirit with David, and he loved^(B) him as himself.^{(C) 2} From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. ³ And Jonathan made a covenant^(D) with David because he loved him as himself. ⁴ Jonathan took off the robe^(E) he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.^(F)

⁸ As for you, show kindness to your servant, for you have brought him into a covenant^(A) with you before the Lord. If I am guilty, then kill^(B) me yourself! Why hand me over to your father?”

⁹ “Never!” Jonathan said. “If I had the least inkling that my father was determined to harm you, wouldn’t I tell you?”

¹⁰ David asked, “Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?”

¹⁵ and do not ever cut off your kindness from my family^(A)—not even when the Lord has cut off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.”

¹⁶ So Jonathan^(B) made a covenant^(C) with the house of David, saying, “May the Lord call David’s enemies to account.^(D)” ¹⁷ And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath^(E) out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.

⁴² Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace,^(A) for we have sworn friendship^(B) with each other in the name of the Lord,^(C) saying, ‘The Lord is witness^(D) between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.^(E)’” Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town.^[a]