New Century Version

1 Samuel 18:7-16 New Century Version (NCV)

7. As they played, they sang,“Saul has killed thousands of his enemies,but David has killed tens of thousands.”

8. The women’s song upset Saul, and he became very angry. He thought, “The women say David has killed tens of thousands, but they say I have killed only thousands. The only thing left for him to have is the kingdom!”

9. So Saul watched David closely from then on, because he was jealous.

10. The next day an evil spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he prophesied in his house. David was playing the harp as he usually did, but Saul had a spear in his hand.

11. He threw the spear, thinking, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David escaped from him twice.

12. The Lord was with David but had left Saul. So Saul was afraid of David.

13. He sent David away and made him commander of a thousand soldiers. So David led them in battle.

14. He had great success in everything he did because the Lord was with him.

15. When Saul saw that David was very successful, he feared David even more.

16. But all the people of Israel and Judah loved David because he led them well in battle.