³ And Jonathan made a covenant^(A) with David because he loved him as himself.

¹² Then Jonathan said to David, “I swear by the Lord, the God of Israel, that I will surely sound^(A) out my father by this time the day after tomorrow! If he is favorably disposed toward you, will I not send you word and let you know? ¹³ But if my father intends to harm you, may the Lord deal with Jonathan, be it ever so severely,^(B) if I do not let you know and send you away in peace. May the Lord be with^(C) you as he has been with my father. ¹⁴ But show me unfailing kindness^(D) like the Lord’s kindness as long as I live, so that I may not be killed, ¹⁵ and do not ever cut off your kindness from my family^(E)—not even when the Lord has cut off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.”

¹⁶ So Jonathan^(F) made a covenant^(G) with the house of David, saying, “May the Lord call David’s enemies to account.^(H)” ¹⁷ And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath^(I) 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]