Jonathan Cuts a Covenant with David

1Now it happened when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2And Saul took him that day and did not let him return to his father’s house. 3Then Jonathan cut a covenant with David because he loved him as his own soul. 4And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even his sword and his bow and his belt. 5So David went out wherever Saul sent him and [†]prospered; and Saul set him over the men of war. And it was pleasing in the eyes of all the people and also in the eyes of Saul’s servants.

Saul Looks at David with Suspicion

6And it happened as they were coming, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with gladness, and with [†]musical instruments. 7And the women sang as they [†]were merry and said,

“Saul has struck his thousands,

And David his ten thousands.”

8Then Saul became very angry, for this saying was [†]displeasing in his eyes; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” 9So Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on.

10Now it happened on the next day that an evil spirit from God [†]came mightily upon Saul, and he raved in the midst of the house. Now David was playing the harp with his hand, [†]as usual; and [†]a spear was in Saul’s hand. 11Then Saul hurled the spear for he thought, “I will [†]pin David to the wall.” But David [†]escaped from his presence twice.

12And Saul was afraid of David, for Yahweh was with him but had turned away from Saul. 13Therefore Saul turned him away from [†]his presence and appointed him as his commander of one thousand; and he went out and came in before the people. 14And David was [†]prospering in all his ways, and Yahweh was with him. 15Then Saul saw that he was [†]prospering greatly, so he dreaded him. 16But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them.

17Then Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab; I will give her to you as a wife; only be a man of valor for me and fight Yahweh’s battles.” For Saul thought, “My hand shall not be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him.” 18But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my life or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be the king’s son-in-law?” 19So it happened at the time when Merab, Saul’s daughter, should have been given to David, that she was given to Adriel the Meholathite as a wife.

Saul’s Daughter Given to David

20And Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David. So they told Saul, and the thing was right in his eyes. 21And Saul said, “I will give her to him that she may become a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore Saul said to David, “For a second time you may be my son-in-law today.” 22Then Saul commanded his servants, “Speak to David secretly, saying, ‘Behold, the king delights in you, and all his servants love you; so now, become the king’s son-in-law.’” 23So Saul’s servants spoke these words in [†]David’s hearing. But David said, “Is it trivial in your eyes to become the king’s son-in-law, since I am a poor man and lightly esteemed?” 24And the servants of Saul told to him [†]according to these words which David spoke. 25Saul then said, “Thus you shall say to David, ‘The king does not desire any dowry except one hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to take vengeance on the king’s enemies.’” Now Saul planned to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. 26Then his servants told David these words, and it was right in the eyes of David to become the king’s son-in-law. [†]So before the days had expired, 27David rose up and went, he and his men, and struck down two hundred men among the Philistines. Then David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full number to the king, that he might become the king’s son-in-law. So Saul gave him Michal his daughter as a wife. 28Then Saul saw and knew that Yahweh was with David, and that Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him, 29so Saul was even more afraid of David. So Saul was David’s enemy continually.

30Then the commanders of the Philistines went out to battle, and it happened as often as they went out, that David behaved himself more insightfully than all the servants of Saul. So his name was highly esteemed.