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20 Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David; and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. 21 Saul said, I will give her to him, that she may be a snare to him and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Therefore Saul said to David a second time, “You shall today be my son-in-law.”

22 Saul commanded his servants, “Talk with David secretly, and say, ‘Behold, the king has delight in you, and all his servants love you. Now therefore be the king’s son-in-law.’”

23 Saul’s servants spoke those words in the ears of David. David said, “Does it seem to you a light thing to be the king’s son-in-law, since I am a poor man and little known?”

24 The servants of Saul told him, saying, “David spoke like this.”

25 Saul said, “Tell David, ‘The king desires no dowry except one hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king’s enemies.’” Now Saul thought he would make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. 26 When his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king’s son-in-law. Before the deadline, 27 David arose and went, he and his men, and killed two hundred men of the Philistines. Then David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full number to the king, that he might be the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him Michal his daughter as wife. 28 Saul saw and knew that Yahweh was with David; and Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him. 29 Saul was even more afraid of David; and Saul was David’s enemy continually.

30 Then the princes of the Philistines went out; and as often as they went out, David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly esteemed.

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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