¹³ So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led^(A) the troops in their campaigns.^(B)

² In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns.^(A) And the Lord said^(B) to you, ‘You will shepherd^(C) my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.^(D)’”

⁷ He said to them, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Will the son of Jesse give all of you fields and vineyards? Will he make all of you commanders^(A) of thousands and commanders of hundreds?

²⁵ Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price^(A) for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge^(B) on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan^(C) was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines.

¹⁶ But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.^(A)

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

¹² Some he will assign to be commanders^(A) of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots.

¹⁶ “May the Lord, the God who gives breath to all living things,^(A) appoint someone over this community ¹⁷ to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the Lord’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”^(B)