1 Samuel 17:55-18:5

EasyEnglish Bible

⁵⁵ Saul had watched David when he went out to fight the strong Philistine soldier. Saul said to Abner, the leader of his army, ‘Tell me Abner, who is that young man? Who is his father?’

Abner replied, ‘My king, I cannot tell you a lie. I do not know who he is.’ ⁵⁶ The king said, ‘You must find out the name of that man's father.’

⁵⁷ When David returned after he had killed Goliath, Abner took him to Saul. David was still holding Goliath's head in his hand.

⁵⁸ Saul asked him, ‘Young man, who is your father?’ David answered, ‘I am the son of your servant Jesse, who lives in Bethlehem.’

18 David finished talking with Saul. After that, Saul's son Jonathan became a very good friend of David. Jonathan loved David as much as he loved his own life. ² Saul kept David with him from that day. He did not let David go home to his father's house. ³ Jonathan made a special promise to be David's friend, because he loved David as much as he loved his own life. ⁴ Jonathan took off his coat and he gave it to David. He also gave his armour to David, as well as his sword, his bow and his belt.

⁵ David did whatever Saul asked him to do. And he always did it well. So Saul made David an officer to lead his army. That made the soldiers happy, and it also pleased Saul's officers.