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1st Samuel 18

1 Samuel 18

David and Jonathan’s Friendship

1As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan(JZ) loved him as his own soul. 2And Saul took him that day(KA) and would not let him return to his father’s house. 3Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because(KB) he loved him as his own soul. 4And 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. 5And David went out(KC) and was successful wherever Saul sent him, so that Saul set him over the men of war. And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

Saul’s Jealousy of David

6As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine,(KD) the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments.[ae] 7And the women(KE) sang to one another as they celebrated,

(KF) “Saul has struck down his thousands,
and David his ten thousands.”

8And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but(KG) the kingdom?” 9And Saul eyed David from that day on.

10The next day(KH) a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and(KI) he raved within his house while David was(KJ) playing the lyre, as he did day by day.(KK) Saul had his spear in his hand. 11And Saul(KL) hurled the spear, for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David evaded him twice.

12(KM) Saul was afraid of David because(KN) the LORD was with him(KO) but had departed from Saul. 13So Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand.(KP) And he went out and came in before the people. 14And David(KQ) had success in all his undertakings,(KR) for the LORD was with him. 15And when Saul saw that(KS) he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him. 16(KT) But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them.

David Marries Michal

17Then Saul said to David, “Here is(KU) my elder daughter Merab.(KV) I will give her to you for a wife. Only be valiant for me(KW) and fight the LORD’s battles.” For Saul thought, “Let not my hand be against him,(KX) but let the hand of the Philistines be against him.” 18And David said to Saul,(KY) “Who am I, and who are my relatives, my father’s clan in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?” 19But at the time when Merab, Saul’s daughter, should have been given to David, she was given to(KZ) Adriel the(LA) Meholathite for a wife.