Jonathan Befriends David

1After David had finished speaking with Saul (desired), the souls of Jonathan (YHWH has given) and David (beloved) were knit together, and Jonathan loved him as himself. 2And from that day Saul (desired) kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house.

3Then Jonathan (YHWH has given) made a covenant with David (beloved) because he loved him as himself. 4And Jonathan (YHWH has given) removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David (beloved), along with his tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt.

Saul Envies David

5So David (beloved) marched out and prospered in everything Saul (desired) sent him to do, and Saul set him over the men of war. And this was pleasing in the sight of all the people, and of Saul’s officers as well.

6As the troops were returning home after David (beloved) had killed the Philistine (immigrants), the women came out of all the cities of Israel (he wrestles with God) to meet King Saul (desired) with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other instruments.a 7And as the women danced, they sang out:

“Saul (desired) has slain his thousands,

and David (beloved) his tens of thousands.”

8And Saul (desired) was furious and resented this song. “They have ascribed tens of thousands to David (beloved),” he said, “but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom?” 9And from that day forward Saul (desired) kept a jealous eye on David (beloved).

10The next day a spirit {ruach} of distress (a harmful spirit)b sent from God {Elohim} came upon Saul (desired), and he prophesied inside the house while David (beloved) played the harp as usual. Now Saul was holding a spear, 11and he (desired) hurled it, thinking, “I will pin David (beloved) to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.

12So Saul (desired) was afraid of David (beloved), because the LORD {YHWH} was with David but had departed from Saul. 13Therefore Saul (desired) sent David away and gave him command of a thousand men. David led the troops out to battle and back, 14and he continued (beloved) to prosper in all his ways, because the LORD {YHWH} was with him.

15When Saul (desired) saw that David was very successful, he was afraid of him. 16But all Israel (he wrestles with God) and Judah (praised) loved David (beloved), because he was leading them out to battle and back.

David Marries Michal

17Then Saul (desired) said to David (beloved), “Here is my older daughter Merab (increase). I will give her to you in marriage. Only be valiant for me and fight the LORD’s {YHWH} battles.” But Saul was thinking, “I need not raise my hand against him; let the hand of the Philistines (immigrants) be against him.”

18And David (beloved) said to Saul (desired), “Who am I, and what is my family or my father’s clan in Israel (he wrestles with God), that I should become the son-in-law of the king?” 19So when it was time (But when it was time)c to give Saul’s (desired) daughter Merab (increase) to David (beloved), she was given in marriage to Adriel (flock of God) of Meholah.

20Now Saul’s (desired) daughter Michal (who is like God) loved David (beloved), and when this was reported to Saul, it pleased him. 21“I will give her to David,” Saul (desired) thought, “so that she may be a snare to him, and the hand of the Philistines (immigrants) may be against him.” So Saul said to David (beloved), “For a second time now you can be my son-in-law.”

22Then Saul (desired) ordered his servants, “Speak to David (beloved) privately and tell him, ‘Behold, the king is pleased with you, and all his servants love you. Now therefore, become his son-in-law.’”

23But when Saul’s (desired) servants relayed these words to David (beloved), he replied, “Does it seem trivial in your⁺ sight to be the son-in-law of the king? I am a poor man and lightly esteemed.”

24And the servants told Saul (desired) what David (beloved) had said.

25Saul (desired) replied, “Say to David (beloved), ‘The king desires no other dowry but a hundred Philistine (immigrants) foreskins as revenge on his enemies.’” But Saul intended to cause David’s death at the hands of the Philistines.

26When the servants reported these terms to David (beloved), he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. Before the wedding day arrived, 27David (beloved) and his men went out and killed two hundred Philistines (immigrants). He brought their foreskins and presented them as payment in full to become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul (desired) gave his daughter Michal (who is like God) to David in marriage.

28When Saul (desired) realized that the LORD {YHWH} was with David (beloved) and that his daughter Michal (who is like God) loved David, 29he (desired) grew even more afraid of David (beloved). So from then on Saul was David’s enemy.

30Every time the Philistine (immigrants) commanders came out for battle, David (beloved) was more successful than all of Saul’s (desired) officers, so that his name was highly esteemed.