1 Samuel 18:1-13 ▼

1 It happened, when he had made an end of speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

2 Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house.

3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.

4 Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him, and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.

5 Then Saul set him over the men of war, and David went out, succeeding wherever Saul sent him. And it was good in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.

6 It happened as they came, when David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with instruments of music.

7 The women sang one to another as they played, and said, |Saul has slain his thousands, David his ten thousands.|

8 Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him; and he said, |They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands. What can he have more but the kingdom?|

9 Saul viewed David with suspicion from that day and forward.

10 It happened on the next day, that a harmful spirit from God came mightily on Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house. David played with his hand, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand;

11 and Saul threw the spear; for he said, |I will pin David even to the wall.| David escaped from his presence twice.

12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and had departed from Saul.

13 Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.