1 Samuel 18:16-18

New Catholic Bible

¹⁶ But Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came back publicly.

¹⁷ David’s Marriage. Saul said to David, “Here is my oldest daughter, Merab, I will give her to you in marriage, only be a brave warrior and fight the Lord’s battles.” Saul thought, “It will not be by my hand, but let it be by the hands of the Philistines.” ¹⁸ David said to Saul, “Who am I? What is my life or my father’s family worth in Israel that I should become the king’s son-in-law?”^[a]