Charles Spurgeon Commentary 1 Samuel 20:12-17

"And Jonathan said unto David, Jehovah, the God of Israel, [be witness]: when I have sounded my father about this time to-morrow, [or] the third day, behold, if there be good toward David, shall I not then send unto thee, and disclose it unto thee? Jehovah do so to Jonathan, and more also, should it please my father to do thee evil, if I disclose it not unto thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and Jehovah be with thee, as he hath been with my father. And thou shalt not only while yet I live show me the lovingkindness of Jehovah, that I die not; but also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever; no, not when Jehovah hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth. So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, [saying], And Jehovah will require it at the hand of David`s enemies. And Jonathan caused David to swear again, for the love that he had to him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul." — 1 Samuel 20:12-17 (ASV)

And Jonathan said to David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about tomorrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there is good toward David, and I then do not send to you, and show it to you; the LORD do so and much more to Jonathan. But if it pleases my father to do you evil, then I will show it to you, and send you away, that you may go in peace: and the LORD be with you, as he has been with my father. And you shall not only while I yet live show me the kindness of the LORD, that I do not die; but also you shall not cut off your kindness from my house forever: no, not when the LORD has cut off the enemies of David, every one from the face of the earth. So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David’s enemies. And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

Thus were these two men bound together by ties of mutual love; may we be thus bound to Jesus! Oh, may there be such love between us and our Lord that it shall even excel the love of Jonathan and David!