David and Jonathan's Friendship

18 As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan ^(A)loved him as his own soul. ² And Saul took him that day ^(B)and would not let him return to his father's house. ³ Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because ^(C)he loved him as his own soul. ⁴ And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. ⁵ And David went out ^(D)and was successful wherever Saul sent him, so that Saul set him over the men of war. And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul's servants.

⁴⁰ And Jonathan gave his weapons to his boy and said to him, “Go and carry them to the city.” ⁴¹ And as soon as the boy had gone, David rose from beside the stone heap^[a] and fell on his face to the ground and bowed three times. And they kissed one another and wept with one another, David weeping the most. ⁴² Then Jonathan said to David, ^(A)“Go in peace, because we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, ^(B)‘The Lord shall be between me and you, ^(C)and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.’” And he rose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city.^[b]

^12 (A)“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ^13 (B)Greater love has no one than this, ^(C)that someone lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴ You are ^(D)my friends ^(E)if you do what I command you. ^15 (F)No longer do I call you servants,^[a] for the servant ^(G)does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for ^(H)all that I have heard from my Father ^(I)I have made known to you. ¹⁶ You did not choose me, but ^(J)I chose you and appointed you that you should go and ^(K)bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that ^(L)whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. ¹⁷ These things I command you, ^(M)so that you will love one another.