^{7 Ref} The women sang one to another as they played, and said, Saul has slain his thousands, David his ten thousands.

^{8 Ref} Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?

^{9 Ref} Saul eyed David from that day and forward.

^{10 Ref} It happened on the next day, that an evil spirit from God came mightily on Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand;

^{11 Ref} and Saul cast the spear; for he said, I will strike David even to the wall. David avoided out of his presence twice.

^{12 Ref} Saul was afraid of David, because Yahweh was with him, and was departed from Saul.

^{13 Ref} Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.

^{14 Ref} David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and Yahweh was with him.

^{15 Ref} When Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he stood in awe of him.

^{16 Ref} But all Israel and Judah loved David; for he went out and came in before them.

^{17 Ref} Saul said to David, Behold, my elder daughter Merab, her will I give you as wife: only be valiant for me, and fight Yahweh's battles. For Saul said, Don't let my hand be on him, but let the hand of the Philistines be on him.

^{18 Ref} David said to Saul, Who am I, and what is my life, [or] my father's family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?

^{19 Ref} But it happened at the time when Merab, Saul's daughter, should have been given to David, that she was given to Adriel the Meholathite as wife.

^{20 Ref} Michal, Saul's daughter, loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him.

^{21 Ref} 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, You shall this day be my son-in-law a second time.