2
Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father's house.
3
Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul.
4
Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that he was wearing, and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.
5
David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him; as a result, Saul set him over the army. And all the people, even the servants of Saul, approved.
6
As they were coming home, when David returned from killing the Philistine, the women came out of all the towns of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments.
7
And the women sang to one another as they made merry, "Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands."
8
Saul was very angry, for this saying displeased him. He said, "They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands; what more can he have but the kingdom?"
9
So Saul eyed David from that day on.
10
The next day an evil 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;
11
and Saul threw the spear, for he thought, "I will 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.
13
So Saul removed him from his presence, and made him a commander of a thousand; and David marched out and came in, leading the army.
14
David had success in all his undertakings; for the Lord was with him.
15
When Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in awe of him.
16
But all Israel and Judah loved David; for it was he who marched out and came in leading them.
17
Then Saul said to David, "Here is my elder daughter Merab; I will give her to you as a wife; only be valiant for me and fight the Lord's battles." For Saul thought, "I will not raise a hand against him; let the Philistines deal with him."
18
David said to Saul, "Who am I and who are my kinsfolk, my father's family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?"
19
But at the time when Saul's daughter Merab should have been given to David, she was given to Adriel the Meholathite as a wife.
20
Now Saul's daughter Michal loved David. Saul was told, and the thing pleased him.
21
Saul thought, "Let me give her to him that she may be a snare for him and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him." Therefore Saul said to David a second time, "You shall now be my son-in-law."
22
Saul commanded his servants, "Speak to David in private and say, "See, the king is delighted with you, and all his servants love you; now then, become the king's son-in-law.' "