1Samuel 18

1 When David finished speaking with Saul, Jonathan became a close friend to David, ^{a18:1 Lit. Jonathan’s soul was knit with David’s soul} and Jonathan ^{b18:1 Lit. he} loved him as himself.ISV — 1Samuel 18:1

2 Saul took David ^{c18:2 Lit. him} that day and did not let him return to his father’s house.ISV — 1Samuel 18:2

3 Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as he loved himself.ISV — 1Samuel 18:3

4 Jonathan took off the robe that he had on and gave it to David, along with his coat, his sword, his bow, and his belt.ISV — 1Samuel 18:4

5 David went out and was successful everywhere Saul sent him, and Saul put him in charge of the troops. This pleased the entire army, ^{d18:5 Or pleased all the people} as well as Saul’s officials. ^{e18:5 Or servants}ISV — 1Samuel 18:5

6 When David returned from defeating the Philistine, as they were entering the city, women from all the towns of Israel came out to meet King Saul, singing and dancing as they joyously played tambourines and lyres.ISV — 1Samuel 18:6

7 As the women sang and played, they said, “Saul has struck down his thousands but David his ten thousands.”ISV — 1Samuel 18:7

8 Saul was very angry and he did not like what the women sang. He told himself, ^{f18:8 The Heb. lacks to himself} “They have attributed tens of thousands to David, but to me they have attributed thousands. What else can he have but the kingdom?”ISV — 1Samuel 18:8

9 From then on Saul kept his eye on David. ^{g18:9 Or eyed David with suspicion}ISV — 1Samuel 18:9

10 The next day, while David was playing the lyre ^{h18:10 Lit. playing with his hand} as he had before, the evil spirit from the LORD attacked Saul, and he began to rave ^{i18:10 Or prophesy} inside the house with a spear in his hand.ISV — 1Samuel 18:10

11 Saul hurled it, thinking, ^{j18:11 Lit. saying} “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David escaped from him twice.ISV — 1Samuel 18:11

12 Now Saul was afraid of David because the LORD was with him and had departed from Saul.ISV — 1Samuel 18:12

13 Saul removed David ^{k18:13 Lit. him} from his presence and made him an officer over a division of soldiers. ^{l18:13 Lit. over a thousand} So David led the troops in battle. ^{m18:13 Lit. went out and came in before the people (i.e. the soldiers)}ISV — 1Samuel 18:13

14 David was successful in all that he did, for the LORD was with him.ISV — 1Samuel 18:14

15 When Saul saw that David ^{n18:15 Lit. he} was highly successful, he feared him.ISV — 1Samuel 18:15

16 But all Israel and Judah loved David because he led them in battle. ^{o18:16 Lit. went out and came in before them}ISV — 1Samuel 18:16

17 Saul told David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I’ll give her to you as a wife. Just be an excellent soldier for me and fight the LORD’s battles.” Now Saul told himself, ^{p18:17 The Heb. lacks to himself} “I won’t harm him myself. ^{q18:17 Lit. Let not my hand be against him} Instead, I’ll let the Philistines harm him.” ^{r18:17 Lit. let the hand of the Philistines be against him}ISV — 1Samuel 18:17

18 David told 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?”ISV — 1Samuel 18:18

19 And when the time came to give Saul’s daughter Merab to David, she was given as a wife to Adriel of Meholah.ISV — 1Samuel 18:19

20 Saul’s daughter Michal loved David. Saul was informed of this and he liked the idea. ^{s18:20 Lit. the matter was straight in his eyes}ISV — 1Samuel 18:20

21 Saul told himself, ^{t18:21 The Heb. lacks to himself} “I’ll give her to him and she can be a snare to him and the Philistines will harm him.” ^{u18:21 Lit. so the hand of the Philistines will be against him} So Saul told David, “For a second time you can be my son-in-law today.”ISV — 1Samuel 18:21

22 Saul commanded his officials, ^{v18:22 Or servants} “Speak with David privately and say, ‘Look, the king delights in you, and all his officials ^{w18:22 Or servants} love you. Now become the king’s son-in-law.’”ISV — 1Samuel 18:22

23 Saul’s officials ^{x18:23 Or servants} delivered this message to David, ^{y18:23 Lit. spoke these words in the ears of David} and he ^{z18:23 Lit. David} asked, “Is becoming the king’s son-in-law an unimportant thing to you? I’m a poor and unimportant man.”ISV — 1Samuel 18:23

24 Saul’s officials ^{aa18:24 Or servants} reported to him: “This is what David said.”ISV — 1Samuel 18:24

25 Saul said, “This is what you are to tell David, ‘The king desires no bride price except 100 Philistine foreskins to take vengeance on the king’s enemies.’” Now Saul thought he would cause David to die at the hand of the Philistines.ISV — 1Samuel 18:25

26 When his officials ^{bb18:26 Or servants} delivered this message to David, David decided it would be a good thing to become the king’s son-in-law. Before the time was up,ISV — 1Samuel 18:26

27 David got up, went out with his men, and struck down 200 Philistine men. David brought their foreskins and gave them all to the king so he could become the king’s son-in-law. So Saul gave him his daughter Michal as a wife.ISV — 1Samuel 18:27

28 As Saul continued to observe, he realized that the LORD was with David and that Saul’s daughter Michal loved him.ISV — 1Samuel 18:28

29 Then Saul was even more afraid of David, and Saul was David’s enemy from that time on. ^{cc18:29 Lit. all the days}ISV — 1Samuel 18:29

30 The Philistine commanders would go out to fight ^{dd18:30 The Heb. lacks to fight} and whenever they did, David was more successful than any of Saul’s other leaders. ^{ee18:30 Or servants} His name was held in high esteem.ISV — 1Samuel 18:30