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)

⁴¹ After the boy had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone and bowed down before Jonathan three times, with his face to the ground.^(A) Then they kissed each other and wept together—but David wept the most.

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

¹² My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.^{(A) 13} Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.^{(B) 14} You are my friends^(C) if you do what I command.^{(D) 15} I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.^{(E) 16} You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you^(F) so that you might go and bear fruit^(G)—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.^{(H) 17} This is my command: Love each other.^(I)