1 Samuel 18

1When David had finished speaking with Saul, Jonathan’s life became bound up with David’s life, and Jonathan loved him as he loved himself. 2From that day on Saul kept David with him and would not let him go back to his father’s house. 3Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. 4Jonathan stripped off the robe he had on and handed it to David, together with his battle clothing, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 5David went out wherever Saul sent him, and he succeeded every time, so Saul put him in charge of the fighting men. This pleased all the people, and Saul’s officials too.

6As the army was coming home, when David returned from killing the Philistine, the women came out from every town in Israel to meet King Saul, singing and dancing with tambourines, with joyful songs and with musical instruments. 7As they celebrated, the women sang to one another, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 8Saul was furious, and this saying displeased him. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he said, “and me with mere thousands. What more is left for him but the kingdom?” 9From that day on, Saul watched David with suspicion.

10The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved inside the house while David was playing the lyre, as he did every day. Saul had his spear in his hand. 11Saul hurled the spear, thinking, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David escaped from him twice. 12Saul feared David, because the LORD was with David and had turned away from Saul. 13So Saul sent him away from his presence and made him commander of a thousand men. David led the army in its campaigns.

14David succeeded in everything he did, for the LORD was with him. 15When Saul saw how very successful David was, he was in dread of him. 16But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.

17Saul said to David, “My older daughter Merab is here. I will give her to you in marriage. Only be a brave warrior for me and fight the battles of the LORD.” For Saul thought, “I will not raise my hand against him. Let the Philistines do that.”

18David answered Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family, my father’s clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law?” 19But when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given instead to Adriel of Meholah as his wife. 20Now Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David. When Saul was told about it, he was pleased. 21Saul thought, “I will give her to him so that she can be a trap for him, and the Philistines can kill him.” So Saul said to David, “Today you have a second chance to become my son-in-law.” 22Then Saul gave orders to his officials: “Speak to David privately and tell him, ‘The king is pleased with you, and all his officials love you. Now is the time to become the king’s son-in-law.’” 23Saul’s officials spoke these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small thing to become the king’s son-in-law? I am only a poor man of no importance.” 24Saul’s officials told him, “This is what David said.”

25Saul replied, “Say this to David: ‘The king wants no bride-price except a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on the king’s enemies.’” Saul was planning to have David killed by the Philistines. 26When his officials told David these words, David was pleased with the idea of becoming the king’s son-in-law. Before the time was up, 27David got up and went out with his men and killed two hundred Philistine men. He brought their foreskins, and they were counted out in full to the king, so that David could become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal as his wife.

28Saul saw and understood that the LORD was with David, and that his own daughter Michal loved him. 29Saul became even more afraid of David, and Saul was David’s enemy for the rest of his life.

30The commanders of the Philistines kept coming out to fight, and every time they came out, David was more successful than all Saul’s other officers. So his name became highly honored.