Jonathan's Soul Is Bound to David
18 1 When David had finished speaking with Saul, Jonathan's soul was bound to David's soul, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 1 1 v1 'As his own soul' is a Hebrew idiom meaning 'as he loved himself' — the deepest possible bond of love and friendship. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and would not let him return to his father's house.
3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. 4 Jonathan stripped off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow, and his belt.
Saul's Jealousy Turns to Fear
5 David went out wherever Saul sent him, and he succeeded. So Saul put him in command over the men of war, and this pleased all the people and Saul's servants as well.
6 As they were returning home, when David came back from striking down the Philistine, the women came out from all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing for joy to meet King Saul, with tambourines and musical instruments. 7 And the women sang to one another as they celebrated: "Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands."
8 Saul was very angry; this saying displeased him greatly. He said, "They have given David ten thousands, but to me they have given only thousands. What more can he have but the kingdom?" 9 And from that day on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.
10 The next day a harmful spirit from our Father rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand, 11 and he hurled the spear, for he thought, "I will pin David to the wall." But David evaded him twice.
12 Saul was afraid of David, because our Father was with him but had departed from Saul. 13 So Saul dismissed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand, and David led the people out to battle and back.
14 David had success in all his ways, for our Father was with him. 15 When Saul saw how greatly David succeeded, he dreaded him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them out to battle and back.
David Wins Michal Against Saul's Schemes
17 Then Saul said to David, "Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you as a wife; only be brave for me and fight the battles of our Father." For Saul thought, "My own hand must not be against him; let the hand of the Philistines be against him."
18 David said to Saul, "Who am I, and what is my family, my father's clan in Israel, that I should become the king's son-in-law?" 19 But when the time came for Merab, Saul's daughter, to be given to David, she was given instead to Adriel the Meholathite as a wife.
20 Now Michal, Saul's daughter, loved David. When Saul heard this, it pleased him. 21 Saul thought, "I will give her to him, so that she may become a snare to him and the hand of the Philistines may be against him." So Saul said to David, "Today you have a second chance to become my son-in-law."
22 Then Saul commanded his servants, "Speak privately to David and say, 'Look, the king is delighted with you, and all his servants love you. Now then, become the king's son-in-law.'"
23 So Saul's servants spoke these words in David's hearing. But David said, "Do you think it is a small thing to become the king's son-in-law? I am only a poor man, with little standing."
24 And Saul's servants told him, "This is what David said."
25 Then Saul said, "This is what you will say to David: 'The king wants no bride-price except a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on the king's enemies.'" Now Saul intended to have David killed by the Philistines. 2 2 v25 Presenting enemy foreskins as proof of kills was a recognised trophy custom in ancient Canaan and surrounding cultures.
26 When his servants reported these words to David, David was very glad to become the king's son-in-law. So before the time was up, 27 David rose and went out with his men and struck down two hundred Philistines. He brought their foreskins and presented them in full number to the king, so he could become the king's son-in-law. So Saul gave him his daughter Michal as a wife.
28 When Saul saw and knew that our Father was with David, and that Michal, Saul's daughter, loved him, 29 Saul grew still more afraid of David. So Saul became David's enemy for the rest of his life.
30 Now the commanders of the Philistines kept coming out to battle, and whenever they did, David succeeded more than all of Saul's servants. So his name became highly esteemed.