¹⁷ Saul told David, “Here is my oldest daughter Merab. I’ll give her to you as a wife^(A) if you will be a warrior for me and fight the Lord’s battles.”^(B) But Saul was thinking, “I don’t need to raise a hand against him; let the hand of the Philistines be against him.”^(C)

²⁸ Please forgive your servant’s offense,^(A) for the Lord is certain to make a lasting dynasty for my lord^(B) because he fights the Lord’s battles.^(C) Throughout your life, may evil^[a] not be found in you.^(D)