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.

¹⁶ And Jonathan, Saul's son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God.

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.

¹⁷ And Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him, ^(A)for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

² And Jonathan told David, “Saul my father seeks to kill you. Therefore be on your guard in the morning. Stay in a secret place and hide yourself.