³⁰ If then I go back to your servant, my father, without the boy, because his life and the boy's life are one,

¹ Now after David's talk with Saul was ended, the soul of Jonathan was joined with the soul of David, and David became as dear to him as his very life.

¹⁷ Then he said, Far be it from me to do so: but the man who had my cup will be my servant; and you may go back to your father in peace.

³¹ When he sees that the boy is not with us, he will come to his death, and our father's grey head will go down in sorrow to the underworld.

³⁴ For how may I go back to my father without the boy, and see the evil which will come on my father?

²⁹ And though a man has taken up arms against you, putting your life in danger, still the soul of my lord will be kept safe among the band of the living with the Lord your God; and the souls of those who are against you he will send violently away from him, like stones from a bag.

³³ Then the king was much moved, and went up into the room over the door, weeping, and saying, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! if only my life might have been given for yours, O Absalom, my son, my son!