1 Samuel 17:55-18:5

New International Version

⁵⁵ As Saul watched David^(A) going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner,^(B) whose son is that young man?”

Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.”

⁵⁶ The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.”

⁵⁷ As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head.

⁵⁸ “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him.

David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse^(C) of Bethlehem.”

Saul’s Growing Fear of David

18 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan^(D) became one in spirit with David, and he loved^(E) him as himself.^{(F) 2} From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. ³ And Jonathan made a covenant^(G) with David because he loved him as himself. ⁴ Jonathan took off the robe^(H) he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.^(I)

⁵ Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful^(J) that Saul gave him a high rank in the army.^(K) This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well.