12. Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul.
13. So Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand. And he went out and came in before the people.
14. And David had success in all his undertakings, for the Lord was with him.
15. And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him.
16. But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them.
17. Then Saul said to David, “Here is my elder daughter Merab. I will give her to you for a wife. Only be valiant for me and fight the Lord’s battles.” For Saul thought, “Let not my hand be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him.”
18. And David said to Saul, “Who am I, and who are my relatives, my father’s clan in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?”
19. But at the time when Merab, Saul’s daughter, should have been given to David, she was given to Adriel the Meholathite for a wife.
20. Now Saul’s daughter Michal loved David. And they told Saul, and the thing pleased him.
21. Saul thought, “Let me give her to him, that she may be a snare for him and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore Saul said to David a second time, “You shall now be my son-in-law.”
22. And Saul commanded his servants, “Speak to David in private and say, ‘Behold, the king has delight in you, and all his servants love you. Now then become the king’s son-in-law.’”
23. And Saul’s servants spoke those words in the ears of David. And David said, “Does it seem to you a little thing to become the king’s son-in-law, since I am a poor man and have no reputation?”