5. David then carried out successfully every mission on which Saul sent him. So Saul put him in charge of his soldiers; this met with the approval of the whole army, even Saul’s officers.
6. At the approach of Saul and David, on David’s return after striking down the Philistine, women came out from all the cities of Israel to meet Saul the king, singing and dancing, with tambourines, joyful songs, and stringed instruments.
7. The women played and sang:“Saul has slain his thousands,David his tens of thousands.”
8. Saul was very angry and resentful of the song, for he thought: “They give David tens of thousands, but only thousands to me. All that remains for him is the kingship.”
9. From that day on, Saul kept a jealous eye on David.
10. The next day an evil spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raged in his house. David was in attendance, playing the harp as at other times, while Saul was holding his spear.
11. Saul poised the spear, thinking, “I will nail David to the wall!” But twice David escaped him.
12. Saul then began to fear David because the Lord was with him but had turned away from Saul.
13. Saul sent him out of his presence and appointed him a field officer. So David led the people on their military expeditions
14. and prospered in all his ways, for the Lord was with him.
15. Seeing how he prospered, Saul feared David.
16. But all Israel and Judah loved David, since he led them on their expeditions.
17. Saul said to David, “Look, I will give you my older daughter, Merob, in marriage if you become my warrior and fight the battles of the Lord.” Saul thought, “I will not lay a hand on him. Let the hand of the Philistines strike him.”