English Bible Presentation Sharing - 1-Samuel Book, chapter 18, verse 48 in Net Version

1 Samuel 18 : 1 (NET)

When David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan and David became bound together in close friendship. Jonathan loved David as much as he did his own life.

1 Samuel 18 : 2 (NET)

Saul retained David on that day and did not allow him to return to his father's house.

1 Samuel 18 : 3 (NET)

Jonathan made a covenant with David, for he loved him as much as he did his own life.

1 Samuel 18 : 4 (NET)

Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with the rest of his gear, including his sword, his bow, and even his belt.

1 Samuel 18 : 5 (NET)

On every mission on which Saul sent him, David achieved success. So Saul appointed him over the men of war. This pleased not only all the army, but also Saul's servants.

1 Samuel 18 : 6 (NET)

When the men arrived after David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women from all the cities of Israel came out singing and dancing to meet King Saul. They were happy as they played their tambourines and three-stringed instruments.

1 Samuel 18 : 7 (NET)

The women who were playing the music sang, "Saul has struck down his thousands, but David his tens of thousands!"

1 Samuel 18 : 8 (NET)

This made Saul very angry. The statement displeased him and he thought, "They have attributed to David tens of thousands, but to me they have attributed only thousands. What does he lack, except the kingdom?"

1 Samuel 18 : 9 (NET)

So Saul was keeping an eye on David from that day onward.

1 Samuel 18 : 10 (NET)

The next day an evil spirit from God rushed upon Saul and he prophesied within his house. Now David was playing the lyre that day. There was a spear in Saul's hand,

1 Samuel 18 : 11 (NET)

and Saul threw the spear, thinking, "I'll nail David to the wall!" But David escaped from him on two different occasions.

1 Samuel 18 : 12 (NET)

So Saul feared David, because the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul.

1 Samuel 18 : 13 (NET)

Saul removed David from his presence and made him a commanding officer. David led the army out to battle and back.

1 Samuel 18 : 14 (NET)

Now David achieved success in all he did, for the LORD was with him.

1 Samuel 18 : 15 (NET)

When Saul saw how very successful he was, he was afraid of him.

1 Samuel 18 : 16 (NET)

But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he was the one leading them out to battle and back.

1 Samuel 18 : 17 (NET)

Then Saul said to David, "Here's my oldest daughter, Merab. I want to give her to you in marriage. Only be a brave warrior for me and fight the battles of the LORD." For Saul thought, "There's no need for me to raise my hand against him. Let it be the hand of the Philistines!"

1 Samuel 18 : 18 (NET)

David said to Saul, "Who am I? Who are my relatives or the clan of my father in Israel that I should become the king's son-in-law?"

1 Samuel 18 : 19 (NET)

When the time came for Merab, Saul's daughter, to be given to David, she instead was given in marriage to Adriel, who was from Meholah.

1 Samuel 18 : 20 (NET)

Now Michal, Saul's daughter, loved David. When they told Saul about this, it pleased him.

1 Samuel 18 : 21 (NET)

Saul said, "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 is the second time for you to become my son-in-law."

1 Samuel 18 : 22 (NET)

Then Saul instructed his servants, "Tell David secretly, 'The king is pleased with you, and all his servants like you. So now become the king's son-in-law."

1 Samuel 18 : 23 (NET)

So Saul's servants spoke these words privately to David. David replied, "Is becoming the king's son-in-law something insignificant to you? I'm just a poor and lightly-esteemed man!"

1 Samuel 18 : 24 (NET)

When Saul's servants reported what David had said,

1 Samuel 18 : 25 (NET)

Saul replied, "Here is what you should say to David: 'There is nothing that the king wants as a price for the bride except a hundred Philistine foreskins, so that he can be avenged of his enemies.'" (Now Saul was thinking that he could kill David by the hand of the Philistines.)

1 Samuel 18 : 26 (NET)

So his servants told David these things and David agreed to become the king's son-in-law. Now the specified time had not yet expired

1 Samuel 18 : 27 (NET)

when David, along with his men, went out and struck down two hundred Philistine men. David brought their foreskins and presented all of them to the king so he could become the king's son-in-law. Saul then gave him his daughter Michal in marriage.

1 Samuel 18 : 28 (NET)

When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David,

1 Samuel 18 : 29 (NET)

Saul became even more afraid of him. Saul continued to be at odds with David from then on.

1 Samuel 18 : 30 (NET)

Then the leaders of the Philistines would march out, and as often as they did so, David achieved more success than all of Saul's servants. His name was held in high esteem.