15. When Saul recognized this, he became even more afraid of him.
16. But all Israel and Judah loved David because he was so successful at leading his troops into battle.
17. One day Saul said to David, “I am ready to give you my older daughter, Merab, as your wife. But first you must prove yourself to be a real warrior by fighting the lord’s battles.” For Saul thought, “I’ll send him out against the Philistines and let them kill him rather than doing it myself.”