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

¹² “By the Lord, the God of Israel, I will sound out my father by this time tomorrow or the next day. If I find out that he is favorable toward you, will I not send for you and tell you?^{[a] 13} If my father intends to bring evil on you, may God punish Jonathan and do so severely^(A) if I do not tell you^[b] and send you away so you may go in peace. May the Lord be with you,^(B) just as He was with my father. ¹⁴ If I continue to live, treat me with the Lord’s faithful love, but if I die, ¹⁵ don’t ever withdraw your faithful love from my household—not even when the Lord cuts off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.”^{(C) 16} Then Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David,^(D) saying, “May the Lord hold David’s enemies accountable.”^{[c](E) 17} Jonathan once again swore to David^[d] in his love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.^(F)

⁴² Jonathan then said to David, “Go in the assurance the two of us pledged in the name of the Lord when we said: The Lord will be a witness between you and me and between my offspring and your offspring forever.”^[a](A) Then David left, and Jonathan went into the city.