1 Samuel 18:1-9 ▼

1 David finished talking to Saul. After that, Jonathan became David's closest friend. He loved David as much as [he loved] himself.

2 (From that day on Saul kept David [as his servant] and didn't let him go back to his family.)

3 So Jonathan made a pledge of mutual loyalty with David because he loved him as much as [he loved] himself.

4 Jonathan took off the coat he had on and gave it to David along with his battle tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt.

5 David was successful wherever Saul sent him. Saul put him in charge of the fighting men. This pleased all the people, including Saul's officials.

6 As they arrived, David was returning from a campaign against the Philistines. Women from all of Israel's cities came to meet King Saul. They sang and danced, accompanied by tambourines, joyful music, and triangles.

7 The women who were celebrating sang, |Saul has defeated thousands but David tens of thousands!|

8 Saul became very angry because he considered this saying to be insulting. |To David they credit tens of thousands,| he said, |but to me they credit [only] a few thousand. The only thing left for David is my kingdom.|

9 From that day on Saul kept an eye on David.