⁵ And David went out ^(A)and was successful wherever Saul sent him, so that Saul set him over the men of war. And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul's servants.

Saul's Jealousy of David

⁶ As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, ^(B)the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments.^{[a] 7} And the women ^(C)sang to one another as they celebrated,

⁸ And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but ^(E)the kingdom?” ⁹ And Saul eyed David from that day on.

¹⁰ The next day ^(F)a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and ^(G)he raved within his house while David was ^(H)playing the lyre, as he did day by day. ^(I)Saul had his spear in his hand. ¹¹ And Saul ^(J)hurled the spear, for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David evaded him twice.

^12 (K)Saul was afraid of David because ^(L)the Lord was with him ^(M)but had departed from Saul. ¹³ So Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand. ^(N)And he went out and came in before the people. ¹⁴ And David ^(O)had success in all his undertakings, ^(P)for the Lord was with him. ¹⁵ And when Saul saw that ^(Q)he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him. ^16 (R)But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them.

²⁷ David arose and went, ^(A)along with his men, and killed two hundred of the Philistines. ^(B)And David brought their foreskins, which were given in full number to the king, that he might become the king's son-in-law. And Saul gave him his daughter Michal for a wife. ²⁸ But when Saul saw and knew that ^(C)the Lord was with David, ^(D)and that Michal, Saul's daughter, loved him, ²⁹ Saul was even more afraid of David. So Saul was David's enemy continually.

^30 (E)Then the commanders of the Philistines came out to battle, and as often as they came out ^(F)David had more success than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly esteemed.