1 Samuel, Chapter 18:

Verses from 1 Samuel, Chapter 18 of the book of 1 Samuel in the Bible.

1 Samuel - Old Testament — 1 Samuel – Old Testament

Saul is jealous of David

1. After the conversation between David and Saul, such a strong friendship arose between Jonathan and David that Jonathan became his best friend.
2. From that day on, Saul kept David by his side and did not let him return to his father's house.
3. Jonathan made a pact of friendship with David, as he became his best friend.
4. Jonathan took off the cloak he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, his sword, his bow and his belt.
5. David was skilled in everything Saul told him to do, and this led to a high position in the army. This pleased all the people, as well as Saul's counselors.
6. When the soldiers returned home after David defeated the Philistine, the women of all the cities of Israel came out to meet King Saul with singing, dancing, tambourines, joyful music, and stringed instruments.
7. The women sang and danced: “Saul killed thousands, but David killed tens of thousands.”
8. This song deeply irritated Saul, and he was very uncomfortable with it. He said: “They attributed to David tens of thousands, while to me only thousands. What do you lack now, except the kingdom?”
9. From that moment on, Saul began to look at David with envy.
10. The next day, an evil spirit sent from God came upon Saul, and he fell into a trance in his house while David played the harp, as he used to do. Saul had a spear in his hand,
11. and he threw it, saying, “I will impale David on the wall.” But David managed to dodge twice.
12. Saul began to fear David because the Lord had abandoned him and was with David.
13. Then he removed David from his presence and appointed him commander of a thousand men. David led his troops into battle.
14. David was successful in all his endeavors, for the Lord was with him.
15. When Saul saw that David was successful, he was even more afraid of him.
16. All Israel and Judah loved David, for he led them in battle.
17. Saul said to David, “Here is my eldest daughter, Merab. I will give her to you in marriage, but you must serve me bravely and fight the battles of the Lord.” Saul thought: “I won’t be the one to kill him, I’ll leave that to the Philistines.”
18. But David answered Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law?”
19. When the time came for Saul's daughter Merab to marry David, she was given to Adriel of Meholah.
20. Michal, another daughter of Saul, fell in love with David. When this was reported to Saul, he was pleased and thought:
21. “I will give Michal to him as a trap, so that he will fall into the hands of the Philistines.” Then Saul said to David, “Today you have a new opportunity to become my son-in-law.”
22. Saul ordered his counselors to speak privately to David, saying, “The king delights in you, and all his counselors admire you. Become the king’s son-in-law now.”
23. When the counselors spoke to David, he replied, “Do you think it is easy to become the king's son-in-law? I am a poor man without resources.”
24. When Saul's counselors told him the words of David,
25. Saul instructed them to say to David, “The king demands no dowry for his bride except one hundred Philistine foreskins as revenge against his enemies.” Saul intended for David to be killed by the Philistines.
26. When Saul's counselors conveyed this message to David, he was overjoyed at the opportunity to become the king's son-in-law. Thus, before the stipulated period ended,
27. David and his soldiers went out and killed two hundred Philistines. David brought the foreskins and presented them to the king, to become his son-in-law. Then Saul gave his daughter Michal in marriage to David.
28. When Saul clearly saw that the Lord was with David and that Michal loved him,
29. he feared him even more and became his enemy for the rest of his life.
30. The Philistine commanders continued to go out into battle, and David was more successful than all of Saul's other officers. And David's name became very well known.