 1 When he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was joined with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as he did his own soul. 2 Saul took him that day and would not let him go home to his father's house any more. 3 Jonathan and David made a covenant because he loved him like his own soul. 4 Jonathan stripped off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his apparel, even to his sword and to his bow and to his belt+. 5 David went out wherever Saul sent him, behaving himself wisely. Saul set him over the men of war, and it was good in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants. 6 As they came in, as David returned from striking the Philistine, the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music. 7 The women answered as they played and said, Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. 8 Saul was very angry, and this was evil in his eyes. And he said, They have given David ten thousands, and to me they have given only thousands. And what more can he have but the kingdom? 9 Saul eyed David from that day and forward. 10 On the next day the evil spirit from God came on Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house. And David played with his hand, as at other times. And a spear was in Saul's hand. 11 Saul threw the spear. For he said, I will strike David even to the wall. And David drew back out of his presence twice. 12 Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him and had departed from Saul. 13 Saul moved him away from himself and made him commander over a thousand. Then he came in before the people. 14 David behaved himself wisely in all his ways and the Lord was with him. 15 When Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David because he came in before them. 17 Saul said to David, Behold I will give you my older daughter Merab for a wife. Only you be a brave son for me and fight the Lord's battles. For Saul said, Do not let my hand be on him but let the hand of the Philistines be on him. 18 David said to Saul, Who am I, and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king? 19 At the time when Merab, Saul's daughter should have been given to David, she was given to Adriel the Meholathite to be his wife. 20 Saul's daughter Michal loved David. They told Saul and it pleased him. 21 Saul said, I will give her to him, so that she may be a trap to him, and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. And Saul said to David a second time, Today you shall be my son in law. 22 Saul commanded his servants, Talk with David secretly and say, Behold, the king delights in you, and all his servants love you. Now be the king's son in law. 23 Saul's servants spoke these words in the hearing+ of David. And David said, Is it a light thing to be a king's son in law, since I am a poor man and of little worth? 24 The servants of Saul told him saying, This is the way David spoke. 25 Saul said, You shall say this to David, The king does not desire any dowry except 100 foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. 26 When his servants told David these words, it was right in the eyes of David to be the king's son in law. And the days were not fulfilled. 27 David and his men arose and went forth and killed 200 of the Philistines. Then David brought their foreskins and they gave them in full number to the king so that he might be the king's son in law. Then Saul gave his daughter Michal to him for his wife. 28 Saul saw and realized that the Lord was with David and that Michal, Saul's daughter, loved him. 29 Saul was even more afraid of David and became David's enemy continually. 30 The rulers of the Philistines came out as they often did and David acted more wisely than all the servants of Saul so that his name was very precious.
|