⁷ But the king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the Lord’s oath that was between David and Jonathan son of Saul.

³ Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own life.

¹² Jonathan said to David, The Lord, the God of Israel, be witness. When I have sounded out my father about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if he is well inclined toward David, and I do not send and let you know it,

¹³ The Lord do so, and much more, to Jonathan. But if it please my father to do you harm, then I will disclose it to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. And may the Lord be with you as He has been with my father.

¹⁴ While I am still alive you shall not only show me the loving-kindness of the Lord, so that I die not,

¹⁵ But also you shall not cut off your kindness from my house forever—no, not even when the Lord has cut off every enemy of David from the face of the earth.

¹⁶ So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, And the Lord will require that this covenant be kept at the hands of David’s enemies.

¹⁷ And Jonathan caused David to swear again by his love for him, for Jonathan loved him as he loved his own life.

¹⁸ And the two of them made a covenant before the Lord. And David remained in the wood [at Horesh], and Jonathan went to his house.