1 Samuel 20:8, 13-17, 30-34, 42

Jonathan, be loyal to me, your servant. You have made an agreement with me before the LORD. If I am guilty, you may kill me yourself! Why hand me over to your father?”

But if my father plans to hurt you, I will let you know and send you away safely. May the LORD punish me terribly if I don’t do this. And may the LORD be with you as he has been with my father. But show me the kindness of the LORD as long as I live so that I may not die. You must never stop showing your kindness to my family, even when the LORD has destroyed all your enemies from the earth.” So Jonathan made an agreement with David. He said, “May the LORD hold David’s enemies responsible.” And Jonathan asked David to repeat his promise of love for him, because he loved David as much as he loved himself.

Then Saul became very angry with Jonathan. He said, “You son of a wicked, worthless woman! I know you are on the side of David son of Jesse! You bring shame on yourself and on your mother who gave birth to you. As long as Jesse’s son lives, you will never be king or have a kingdom. Now send for David and bring him to me. He must die!” Jonathan asked his father, “Why should David be killed? What wrong has he done?” Then Saul threw his spear at Jonathan, trying to kill him. So Jonathan knew that his father really wanted to kill David. Jonathan was very angry and left the table. That second day of the month he refused to eat. He was ashamed of his father and upset over David.

Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace. We have promised by the LORD that we will be friends. We said, ‘The LORD will be a witness between you and me, and between our descendants always.’ ” Then David left, and Jonathan went back to town.