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.

Read full chapter

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 Saul’s daughter Michal loved David. Saul was informed of this and he liked the idea.[a] 21 Saul told himself,[b] “I’ll give her to him and she can be a snare to him and the Philistines will harm him.”[c] So Saul told David, “For a second time you can be my son-in-law today.”

22 Saul commanded his officials,[d] “Speak with David privately and say, ‘Look, the king delights in you, and all his officials[e] love you. Now become the king’s son-in-law.’”

23 Saul’s officials[f] delivered this message to David,[g] and he[h] asked, “Is becoming the king’s son-in-law an unimportant thing to you? I’m a poor and unimportant man.”

24 Saul’s officials[i] reported to him: “This is what David said.”

25 Saul said, “This is what you are to tell David, ‘The king desires no bride price except 100 Philistine foreskins to take vengeance on the king’s enemies.’” Now Saul thought he would cause David to die at the hand of the Philistines. 26 When his officials[j] delivered this message to David, David decided it would be a good thing to become the king’s son-in-law. Before the time was up, 27 David got up, went out with his men, and struck down 200 Philistine men. David brought their foreskins and gave them all to the king so he could become the king’s son-in-law. So Saul gave him his daughter Michal as a wife. 28 As Saul continued to observe, he realized that the Lord was with David and that Saul’s daughter Michal loved him. 29 Then Saul was even more afraid of David, and Saul was David’s enemy from that time on.[k]

30 The Philistine commanders would go out to fight[l] and whenever they did, David was more successful than any of Saul’s other leaders.[m] His name was held in high esteem.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 18:20 Lit. the matter was straight in his eyes
  2. 1 Samuel 18:21 The Heb. lacks to himself
  3. 1 Samuel 18:21 Lit. so the hand of the Philistines will be against him
  4. 1 Samuel 18:22 Or servants
  5. 1 Samuel 18:22 Or servants
  6. 1 Samuel 18:23 Or servants
  7. 1 Samuel 18:23 Lit. spoke these words in the ears of David
  8. 1 Samuel 18:23 Lit. David
  9. 1 Samuel 18:24 Or servants
  10. 1 Samuel 18:26 Or servants
  11. 1 Samuel 18:29 Lit. all the days
  12. 1 Samuel 18:30 The Heb. lacks to fight
  13. 1 Samuel 18:30 Or servants