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David went out and was successful everywhere Saul sent him, and Saul put him in charge of the troops. This pleased the entire army,[a] as well as Saul’s officials.[b]

Saul’s Jealousy of David

When David returned from defeating the Philistine, as they were entering the city, women from all the towns of Israel came out to meet King Saul, singing and dancing as they joyously played tambourines and lyres. As the women sang and played, they said,

“Saul has struck down his thousands
    but David his ten thousands.”

Saul was very angry and he did not like what the women sang. He told himself,[c] “They have attributed tens of thousands to David, but to me they have attributed thousands. What else can he have but the kingdom?” From then on Saul kept his eye on David.[d]

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 18:5 Or pleased all the people
  2. 1 Samuel 18:5 Or servants
  3. 1 Samuel 18:8 The Heb. lacks to himself
  4. 1 Samuel 18:9 Or eyed David with suspicion