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?"

And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan; and Saul swore, "As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain."

Saul also sent messengers unto David's house to watch him and to slay him in the morning. And Michal, David's wife, told him, saying, "If thou save not thy life tonight, tomorrow thou shalt be slain."

And Michal took an image and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats' hair for its head, and covered it with a cloth.

And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, "Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him."

This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD'S anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster."

For all of my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king; yet did thou set thy servant among those who ate at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?"

Let the sighing of the prisoner come before Thee; according to the greatness of Thy power, preserve Thou those that are appointed to die.