1 Samuel 18:6-16

Saul's Jealousy of David

6 As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, 1the 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.[a]
7 And the women 2sang to one another as they celebrated, 3"Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten 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 4the kingdom?"
9 And Saul eyed David from that day on.
10 The next day 5a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and 6he raved within his house while David was 7playing the lyre, as he did day by day. 8Saul had his spear in his hand.
11 And Saul 9hurled the spear, for he thought, "I will pin David to the wall." But David evaded him twice.
12 10Saul was afraid of David because 11the LORD was with him 12but had departed from Saul.
13 So Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand. 13And he went out and came in before the people.
14 And David 14had success in all his undertakings, 15for the LORD was with him.
15 And when Saul saw that 16he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him.
16 17But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them.

Cross References 17

  • 1. Exodus 15:20; Judges 11:34
  • 2. [Exodus 15:21]
  • 3. 1 Samuel 21:11; 1 Samuel 29:5
  • 4. 1 Samuel 15:28
  • 5. 1 Samuel 16:14; [Judges 9:23]
  • 6. 1 Samuel 19:23, 24; [1 Kings 18:29; Acts 16:16]
  • 7. See 1 Samuel 16:16
  • 8. 1 Samuel 19:9
  • 9. 1 Samuel 19:10; 1 Samuel 20:33
  • 10. ver. 15, 29
  • 11. ver. 28; 1 Samuel 16:18
  • 12. 1 Samuel 16:14; 1 Samuel 28:15
  • 13. ver. 16; [Numbers 27:17; 2 Samuel 5:2]
  • 14. ver. 5
  • 15. [See ver. 12 above]
  • 16. [See ver. 14 above]
  • 17. [ver. 5]

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or triangles, or three-stringed instruments
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.