1 Samuel 18:9-17

New International Version

⁹ And from that time on Saul kept a close^(A) eye on David.

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

¹² Saul was afraid^(I) of David, because the Lord^(J) was with^(K) David but had departed from^(L) Saul. ¹³ So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led^(M) the troops in their campaigns.^{(N) 14} In everything he did he had great success,^(O) because the Lord was with^(P) 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.^(Q)

¹⁷ Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter^(R) Merab. I will give her to you in marriage;^(S) only serve me bravely and fight the battles^(T) of the Lord.” For Saul said to himself,^(U) “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!”