1
And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathanloved him as his own soul.
2
And Saultook him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house.
3
Then Jonathan and Davidmade a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
4
And Jonathanstripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.
5
And David went out whithersoever Saulsent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saulset him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.
6
And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the womencameout of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meetkingSaul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick.
7
And the womenanswered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.
8
And Saul was verywroth, and the sayingdispleased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?
9
And SauleyedDavid from that day and forward.
10
And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evilspirit from Godcame upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and Davidplayed with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand.
11
And Saulcast the javelin; for he said, I will smiteDavid even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presencetwice.
12
And Saul was afraidofDavid, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.
13
Therefore Saulremoved him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came inbefore the people.
14
And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.
15
Wherefore when Saulsaw that he behaved himself verywisely, he was afraidof him.
16
But all Israel and JudahlovedDavid, because he went out and came inbefore them.
17
And Saulsaid to David, Behold my elderdaughterMerab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD'S battles. For Saulsaid, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.
18
And Davidsaid unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?
19
But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul's daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife.
20
And MichalSaul's daughterlovedDavid: and they toldSaul, and the thingpleased him.
21
And Saulsaid, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saulsaid to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.
22
And Saulcommanded his servants, saying, Commune with Davidsecretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servantslove thee: now therefore be the king's son in law.
23
And Saul's servantsspake those words in the ears of David. And Davidsaid, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king's son in law, seeing that I am a poorman, and lightly esteemed?
24
And the servants of Saultold him, saying, On this mannerspakeDavid.
25
And Saulsaid, Thus shall ye say to David, The kingdesireth not any dowry, but an hundredforeskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saulthought to make Davidfall by the hand of the Philistines.
26
And when his servantstoldDavid these words, it pleasedDavid well to be the king's son in law: and the days were not expired.
27
Wherefore Davidarose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundredmen; and Davidbrought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king's son in law. And Saulgave him Michal his daughter to wife.
28
And Saulsaw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that MichalSaul's daughterloved him.
29
And Saul was yet the moreafraidofDavid; and Saul became David's enemycontinually.
30
Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.