1 Samuel 17:55–18:5

^55bWhen Saul had seen David going out to confront the Philistine, he asked Abner the commander of the army, “Whose son is this youth, Abner?” ^c

“My king, as surely as you live, I don’t know,” Abner replied.

⁵⁶The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is!”

⁵⁷When David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul with the Philistine’s head still in his hand. ^d58Saul said to him, “Whose son are you, young man?”

“The son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem,” ^eDavid answered.

David’s Success

18When David had finished speaking with Saul, Jonathan committed himself to David, and loved him as much as he loved himself. ^f2Saul kept David with him from that day on and did not let him return to his father’s house.

³Jonathan made a covenant with David ^gbecause he loved him as much as himself. ⁴Then Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, ^halong with his military tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt.

⁵David marched out with the army and was successful in everything Saul sent him to do. Saul put him in command of the soldiers, which pleased all the people and Saul’s servants as well.