David, Jonathan and Saul's Jealousy

After David finished speaking with Saul, Jonathan's heart was tied to David's, and he loved him like his own life. They made a covenant together. Jonathan gave David his robe, his clothing, his sword, his bow, and his sash. Saul kept David with him from that day and did not let him return to his father's house.

David went wherever Saul sent him and acted wisely. Saul set him over the fighting men, and this pleased the people and Saul's servants. But when the women sang that Saul had struck down thousands and David ten thousands, Saul became very angry. From that day on, Saul kept watching David.

The next day, while David was playing music as he often did, Saul had a spear in his hand and hurled it, hoping to pin David to the wall. David escaped from him twice. Saul feared David because the Lord was with David and had departed from Saul. So Saul removed David from his presence and made him commander over a thousand, and David continued to act wisely before the people.

Saul offered his older daughter Merab to David, saying he should be brave and fight the Lord's battles. But Saul was secretly hoping the Philistines would kill David instead. David answered humbly that he was not important enough to become the king's son-in-law. When the time came, Merab was given to Adriel the Meholathite instead.

Then Saul heard that his daughter Michal loved David, and this pleased him because he thought she could become a trap for David. Saul's servants spoke privately with David about becoming the king's son-in-law. Saul asked no ordinary bride-price, but wanted proof from a Philistine attack, hoping David would fall by their hand. Instead, David and his men struck down two hundred Philistines, and Saul gave Michal to him as wife.

Saul saw again that the Lord was with David, so he feared him even more, while David's name became highly honoured.