The Friendship of David and Jonathan

18 ⌊When⌋a he finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan became attached to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 Saul took him on that very day and did not allow him to return to his father’s house. 3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. 4 Jonathan stripped off the robe ⌊that he was wearing⌋b and gave it to David, along with his fighting attire,c and even his sword, his bow, and his belt.

David’s Successes Arouse Saul’s Suspicions

5 David went out ⌊whenever⌋d Saul sent him, and he succeeded. So Saul appointed him over the men of the war, and it ⌊pleased⌋e all the people and even ⌊pleased⌋f the servants of Saul. 6 ⌊When they were coming back⌋g after David had returned from striking down the Philistine, the women went out from all the cities of Israel singing and dancing to meet King Saul with tambourines, with joy, and with three-stringed instruments. 7 And the women sang as they danced, and they said,

“Saul has struck down his thousands,

but David his ten thousands!”

8 ⌊Saul became very angry⌋,h and ⌊this saying displeased him⌋,i and he thought, “They have attributed to David ten thousands, but to me they have attributed thousands! ⌊What more can he have but the kingdom⌋?”j 9 So Saul was watchingk David with suspicion from that day onward.

10 ⌊On⌋l the next day, the evil spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he prophesied in the middle of the house. Now David was playing the lyre with his hand on that day ⌊as usual⌋,m and the spear was in Saul’s hand. 11 Then Saul hurled the spear and thought, “⌊I will pin David to the wall⌋.”n But David eluded him twice. 12 ⌊Now Saul was threatened by the presence of David⌋o because Yahweh was with him, but had departed from Saul. 13 So Saul removed him ⌊from his presence⌋,p and made him commander of a thousand, ⌊so heq marched in and out at the front of the army⌋.r 14 And David was achieving success in all his ways and Yahweh was with him, 15 but when Saul saw that he was very successful, ⌊he was severely threatened by him⌋.s 16 However, all of Israel and Judah were loving David, for he was going forth and marching ahead of them.