rom
that day onward. Saul feared David and did not let him stay near him. He
made him commander over a thousand men; and David went out and came in
at the head of the soldiers. In all that he did David acted wisely and
had success, for Jehovah was with him. When Saul saw that he acted
wisely, he was still more afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved
David, for he went out and came in at their head.

Michal, Saul's daughter, also loved David, and when they told Saul, he
was pleased, for he said, "I will give her to him, that she may lead him
to destruction and that the Philistines may capture him." So Saul
commanded his servants, "Say to David secretly: 'See, the ruler is
pleased with you and all his servants love you; now therefore become his
son-in-law.'" When Saul's servants told this to David, he said, "Do you
think it easy for me to become the son-in-law of a ruler when I am poor
and have no reputation!" When Saul's servants told him David's answer,
he commanded, "Say to David: 'Saul wishes no price for his daughter
except the proof that you have killed a hundred Philistines;'" for Saul
thought that David would be killed by them.

So David went with his men and killed a hundred Philistines; and Saul
gave him his daughter Michal as his wife. Then Saul knew that Jehovah
was with David and that all Israel loved him, so he feared David still
more.

Then Saul commanded his son Jonathan and all his servants to put David
to death. But Jonathan was very fond of David. And Jonathan spoke well
of David to Saul his father and said to him, "Do not sin against your
servant David, for he has not wronged you and his behavior toward you
has been excellent; for he risked his life and killed the Philistine, so
that Jehovah saved all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced. Why then will
you sin by shedding innocent blood in killing David without cause?"

So Saul listened to Jonathan and gave his solemn promise: "As surely as
Jehovah lives, he shall not be put to death."

Then Jonathan called David and told him all these things. And Jonathan
brought David to Saul and he was with him as before.

But there was war again, and David went out and fought against the
Philistines and killed so many of them that they fled before him. Then
an evil spirit from Jehovah came upon Saul while he was sitting in his
house with his spear in his hand and while David was playing on the
lyre. Saul tried to pin David to the wall with the spear, but Dav