David Marries Saul’s Daughter

20 Now (A)Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David. When they informed Saul, the thing was pleasing [a]to him. 21 For Saul thought, “I will give her to him so that she may become a trap for him, and (B)that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore Saul said to David, “(C)For a second time you may become my son-in-law, today.” 22 Then Saul commanded his servants, “Speak to David in secret, saying, ‘Behold, the king delights in you, and all his servants love you; now then, become the king’s son-in-law.’” 23 So Saul’s servants spoke these words [b]to David. But David said, “Is it trivial in your sight to become the king’s son-in-law, (D)since I am only a poor man and insignificant?” 24 Then Saul’s servants reported to him, saying, “[c]These are the words David spoke.” 25 Saul then said, “This is what you shall say to David: ‘The king does not desire any (E)dowry except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, (F)to take vengeance on the king’s enemies.’” But (G)Saul plotted to have David fall by the hand of the Philistines. 26 When his servants told David these words, [d]it pleased David to become the king’s son-in-law. So [e](H)before the time had expired, 27 David set out and went, (I)he and his men, and fatally struck two hundred men among the Philistines. Then (J)David brought their foreskins, and they presented all two hundred of them to the king, so that he might become the king’s son-in-law. And Saul gave him his daughter Michal as a wife. 28 When Saul saw and realized that the Lord was with David, and that Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him, 29 then Saul was even more afraid of David. So Saul was David’s enemy continually.

30 Then the commanders of the Philistines (K)went to battle, and it happened as often as they went out, that David (L)was more [f]successful than all the servants of Saul. So his name was held in high esteem.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 18:20 Lit in his sight
  2. 1 Samuel 18:23 Lit in the ears of
  3. 1 Samuel 18:24 Lit According to these words David
  4. 1 Samuel 18:26 Lit the thing was pleasing in the sight of
  5. 1 Samuel 18:26 Lit the days were not fulfilled, and
  6. 1 Samuel 18:30 Or wise

20 Now Saul’s younger daughter Michal loved David. When this was reported to Saul, he was happy about it. 21 I’ll give her to him, Saul thought; she’ll cause him problems, and the Philistines will be against him.

So Saul said to David a second time, “Become my son-in-law now.”

22 Saul instructed his servants, “Tell David in private: ‘Look, the king likes you, and all his servants love you. You should become the king’s son-in-law.’”

23 Saul’s servants whispered these things in David’s ear. But David said, “Do you think it’s a simple matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I don’t! I’m poor and insignificant.”

24 Saul’s servants reported what David said, 25 and Saul replied, “Tell David this: ‘The king doesn’t want any bridal gift, just a hundred Philistine foreskins as vengeance on the king’s enemies.’” (Saul was hoping that David would die at the hands of the Philistines.) 26 When the servants reported this to David, he was happy to become the king’s son-in-law. Even before the allotted time had expired,[a] 27 David got up and went with his soldiers and killed one hundred Philistines.[b] David brought their foreskins and counted them out for the king so he could become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave his daughter Michal to him in marriage.

28 When Saul knew for certain that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal loved him, 29 then Saul was even more afraid of David. Saul was David’s enemy for the rest of his life.[c] 30 And whenever the Philistine commanders came out for battle, David would have more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, so his fame spread widely.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 18:26 Heb uncertain
  2. 1 Samuel 18:27 LXX, cf 2 Sam 3:14; MT two hundred
  3. 1 Samuel 18:29 Or Saul became David’s constant enemy.

20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal(A) was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased.(B) 21 “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare(C) to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.”

22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’”

23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law?(D) I’m only a poor man and little known.”

24 When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, 25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price(E) for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge(F) on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan(G) was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines.

26 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27 David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal(H) in marriage.

28 When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal(I) loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid(J) of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days.

30 The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success(K) than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known.

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