Saul’s Growing Fear of David

18 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan^(A) became one in spirit with David, and he loved^(B) him as himself.^{(C) 2} From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. ³ And Jonathan made a covenant^(D) with David because he loved him as himself. ⁴ Jonathan took off the robe^(E) he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.^(F)

Saul Tries to Kill David

19 Saul told his son Jonathan^(A) and all the attendants to kill^(B) David. But Jonathan had taken a great liking to David ² and warned him, “My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Be on your guard tomorrow morning; go into hiding^(C) and stay there. ³ I will go out and stand with my father in the field where you are. I’ll speak^(D) to him about you and will tell you what I find out.”

⁴ Jonathan spoke^(E) well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Let not the king do wrong^(F) to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly. ⁵ He took his life^(G) in his hands when he killed the Philistine. The Lord won a great victory^(H) for all Israel, and you saw it and were glad. Why then would you do wrong to an innocent^(I) man like David by killing him for no reason?”

⁶ Saul listened to Jonathan and took this oath: “As surely as the Lord lives, David will not be put to death.”