1 Samuel 18:10–23

Saul Turns against David

10 Now it came about on the next day that aan evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul, and bhe raved in the midst of the house, while David was playing the harp with his hand, 1cas usual; and 2da spear was in Saul’s hand.

11 aSaul hurled the spear for he thought, “I will 1pin David to the wall.” But David 2escaped from his presence twice.

12 Now aSaul was afraid of David, bfor the Lord was with him but chad departed from Saul.

13 Therefore Saul removed him from 1his presence and appointed him as his commander of a thousand; and ahe went out and came in before the people.

14 David was 1prospering in all his ways for athe Lord was with him.

15 When Saul saw that he was 1prospering greatly, he dreaded him.

16 But aall Israel and Judah loved David, and he went out and came in before them.

17 Then Saul said to David, “aHere is my older daughter Merab; I will give her to you as a wife, only be a valiant man for me and fight bthe Lord’s battles.” For Saul thought, “My hand shall not be against him, but clet the hand of the Philistines be against him.”

18 But David said to Saul, “aWho am I, and what is my life or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be the king’s son-in-law?”

19 So it came about at the time when Merab, Saul’s daughter, should have been given to David, that she was given to aAdriel bthe Meholathite for a wife.

David Marries Saul’s Daughter

20 Now aMichal, Saul’s daughter, loved David. When they told Saul, the thing was agreeable 1to him.

21 Saul thought, “I will give her to him that she may become a snare to him, and athat the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore Saul said to David, “bFor a second time you may be my son-in-law today.”

22 Then Saul commanded his servants, “Speak to David secretly, saying, ‘Behold, the king delights in you, and all his servants love you; now therefore, become the king’s son-in-law.’ ”

23 So Saul’s servants spoke these words 1to David. But David said, “Is it trivial in your sight to become the king’s son-in-law, asince I am a poor man and lightly esteemed?”