English Standard Version ESV
New International Version NIV
6 As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments.
6
When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres.
7 And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, "Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands."
7
As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”
8 And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, "They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?"
8
Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?”
9 And Saul eyed David from that day on.
9
And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David.
10 The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand.
10
The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand
11 And Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, "I will pin David to the wall." But David evaded him twice.
11
and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.
12 Saul was afraid of David because the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul.
12
Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul.
13 So Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand. And he went out and came in before the people.
13
So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns.
14 And David had success in all his undertakings, for the LORD was with him.
14
In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him.
15 And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him.
15
When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him.
16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them.
16
But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.
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Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.