And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son {that was} lame of {his} feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name {was} Mephibosheth. {Mephibosheth: or, Meribbaal}

But {also} thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.

And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.

Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.

Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?

Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in {the fruits}, that thy master's son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul. {because...: or, by his love toward him}

And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. {forasmuch...: or, the LORD be witness of that which etc}

And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth?

Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine {are} all that {pertained} unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee {that} I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king. {I humbly...: Heb. I do obeisance}

And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.

A man {that hath} friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend {that} sticketh closer than a brother.

And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.

Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.

And the men said unto her, We {will be} blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.

But {also} thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.

I {counsel thee} to keep the king's commandment, and {that} in regard of the oath of God.

And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.

Or if a soul swear, pronouncing with {his} lips to do evil, or to do good, whatsoever {it be} that a man shall pronounce with an oath, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth {of it}, then he shall be guilty in one of these.

Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: {for} better {is} a neighbour {that is} near than a brother far off.

But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot's house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her.