1 Samuel 18:16-18

International Standard Version

¹⁶ But all Israel and Judah loved David because he led them in battle.^[a]

David Marries Saul’s Daughter

¹⁷ Saul told David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I’ll give her to you as a wife. Just be an excellent soldier for me and fight the Lord’s battles.” Now Saul told himself,^[b] “I won’t harm him myself.^[c] Instead, I’ll let the Philistines harm him.”^[d]

¹⁸ David told Saul, “Who am I and what is my life or my father’s family in Israel that I should be the king’s son-in-law?”