Chapter 18

Jonathan and David

1 Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that athe soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and bJonathan loved him as himself.

2 Saul took him that day and adid not let him return to his father’s house.

3 Then aJonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

4 aJonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt.

5 So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and 1prospered; and Saul set him over the men of war. And it was pleasing in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

6 It happened as they were coming, when David returned from killing the Philistine, that athe women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy and with 1musical instruments.

7 The women asang as they 1played, and said,

“bSaul has slain his thousands,

cAnd David his ten thousands.”

8 Then Saul became very angry, for this saying 1displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed thousands. Now awhat more can he have but the kingdom?”

9 Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on.

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?”

24 The servants of Saul reported to him 1according to these words which David spoke.

25 Saul then said, “Thus you shall say to David, ‘The king does not desire any adowry except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, bto take vengeance on the king’s enemies.’ ” Now cSaul planned to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

26 When his servants told David these words, 1it pleased David to become the king’s son-in-law. 2aBefore the days had expired

27 David rose up and went, ahe and his men, and struck down two hundred men among the Philistines. Then bDavid brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full number to the king, that he might become the king’s son-in-law. So Saul gave him Michal his daughter for a wife.

28 When Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him,

29 then Saul was even more afraid of David. Thus Saul was David’s enemy continually.

30 Then the commanders of the Philistines awent out to battle, and it happened as often as they went out, that David bbehaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul. So his name was highly esteemed.