Now it came about, when he had finished speaking to Saul, that ^1aJonathan committed himself to David, and ^bJonathan loved him as himself. 2 And 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 military gear, including his sword, his bow, and his belt. 5 And David went into battle wherever Saul sent him, and always ¹achieved success; so Saul put him in charge of 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 Now 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 other 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 lyric ¹displeased him; and he said, “They have given David credit for ten thousands, but to me they have given credit for only thousands! Now what more can he have but the ^akingdom?” 9 And Saul eyed David with suspicion from that day on.

10 Now it came about on the next day that ^aan evil spirit from God rushed 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 Then ^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, ^bbecause the LORD was with him but ^chad left Saul. 13 So 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 ¹successful in all his ways, for ^athe LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw that he was ¹very successful, he was afraid of him. 16 But ^aall Israel and Judah loved David, for he would go out to battle and ¹return ²before 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 who is my family, 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 that Merab, Saul’s daughter, was to be given to David, that she was given instead to ^aAdriel ^bthe Meholathite as a wife.

20 Now ^aMichal, Saul’s daughter, loved David. When they informed Saul, the thing was pleasing ¹to him. 21 For Saul thought, “I will give her to him so that she may become a trap for him, and ^athat the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore Saul said to David, “^bFor a second time you may become my son-in-law, today.” 22 Then Saul commanded his servants, “Speak to David in secret, saying, ‘Behold, the king delights in you, and all his servants love you; now then, 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 only a poor man and insignificant?” 24 Then Saul’s servants reported to him, saying, “¹These are the words David spoke.” 25 Saul then said, “This is what 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.’” But ^cSaul plotted to have 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. So ^2abefore the time had expired, 27 David set out and went, ^ahe and his men, and fatally struck two hundred men among the Philistines. Then ^bDavid brought their foreskins, and they presented all two hundred of them to the king, so that he might become the king’s son-in-law. And Saul gave him his daughter Michal as a wife. 28 When Saul saw and realized that the LORD was with David, and that Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him, 29 then Saul was even more afraid of David. So Saul was David’s enemy continually.

30 Then the commanders of the Philistines ^awent to battle, and it happened as often as they went out, that David ^bwas more ¹successful than all the servants of Saul. So his name was held in high esteem.