1 Samuel 18:5-16

New International Version

⁵ Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful^(A) that Saul gave him a high rank in the army.^(B) This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well.

⁶ When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing,^(C) with joyful songs and with timbrels^(D) and lyres. ⁷ As they danced, they sang:^(E)

⁸ Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?^(G)” ⁹ And from that time on Saul kept a close^(H) eye on David.

¹⁰ The next day an evil^[a] spirit^(I) from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre,^(J) as he usually^(K) did. Saul had a spear^(L) in his hand ¹¹ and he hurled it, saying to himself,^(M) “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded^(N) him twice.^(O)

¹² Saul was afraid^(P) of David, because the Lord^(Q) was with^(R) David but had departed from^(S) Saul. ¹³ So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led^(T) the troops in their campaigns.^{(U) 14} In everything he did he had great success,^(V) because the Lord was with^(W) him. ¹⁵ When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. ¹⁶ But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.^(X)