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Bible History

1 Samuel 18 - New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995)

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Jonathan and David

18 Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that (A)the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and (B)Jonathan loved him as himself. 2 Saul took him that day and (C)did not let him return to his father’s house. 3 Then (D)Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 (E)Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt. 5 So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and [a]prospered; and Saul set him over the men of war. And it was pleasing in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

6 It happened as they were coming, when David returned from killing the Philistine, that (F)the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy and with [b]musical instruments. 7 The women (G)sang as they [c]played, and said,

“(H)Saul has slain his thousands,
(I)And David his ten thousands.”

8 Then Saul became very angry, for this saying [d]displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed thousands. Now (J)what more can he have but the kingdom?” 9 Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on.

Saul Turns against David

10 Now it came about on the next day that (K)an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul, and (L)he raved in the midst of the house, while David was playing the harp with his hand, [e](M)as usual; and [f](N)a spear was in Saul’s hand. 11 (O)Saul hurled the spear for he thought, “I will [g]pin David to the wall.” But David [h]escaped from his presence twice.

12 Now (P)Saul was afraid of David, (Q)for the Lord was with him but (R)had departed from Saul. 13 Therefore Saul removed him from [i]his presence and appointed him as his commander of a thousand; and (S)he went out and came in before the people. 14 David was [j]prospering in all his ways for (T)the Lord was with him. 15 When Saul saw that he was [k]prospering greatly, he dreaded him. 16 But (U)all Israel and Judah loved David, and he went out and came in before them.

17 Then Saul said to David, “(V)Here is my older daughter Merab; I will give her to you as a wife, only be a valiant man for me and fight (W)the Lord’s battles.” For Saul thought, “My hand shall not be against him, but (X)let the hand of the Philistines be against him.” 18 But David said to Saul, “(Y)Who am I, and what is my life or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be the king’s son-in-law?” 19 So it came about at the time when Merab, Saul’s daughter, should have been given to David, that she was given to (Z)Adriel (AA)the Meholathite for a wife.

David Marries Saul’s Daughter

20 Now (AB)Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David. When they told Saul, the thing was agreeable [l]to him. 21 Saul thought, “I will give her to him that she may become a snare to him, and (AC)that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore Saul said to David, “(AD)For a second time you may be my son-in-law today.” 22 Then Saul commanded his servants, “Speak to David secretly, saying, ‘Behold, the king delights in you, and all his servants love you; now therefore, become the king’s son-in-law.’” 23 So Saul’s servants spoke these words [m]to David. But David said, “Is it trivial in your sight to become the king’s son-in-law, (AE)since I am a poor man and lightly esteemed?” 24 The servants of Saul reported to him [n]according to these words which David spoke. 25 Saul then said, “Thus you shall say to David, ‘The king does not desire any (AF)dowry except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, (AG)to take vengeance on the king’s enemies.’” Now (AH)Saul planned to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. 26 When his servants told David these words, [o]it pleased David to become the king’s son-in-law. [p](AI)Before the days had expired 27 David rose up and went, (AJ)he and his men, and struck down two hundred men among the Philistines. Then (AK)David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full number to the king, that he might become the king’s son-in-law. So Saul gave him Michal his daughter for a wife. 28 When Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him, 29 then Saul was even more afraid of David. Thus Saul was David’s enemy continually.

30 Then the commanders of the Philistines (AL)went out to battle, and it happened as often as they went out, that David (AM)behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul. So his name was highly esteemed.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 18:5 Or acted wisely
  2. 1 Samuel 18:6 I.e. triangles; or three-stringed instruments
  3. 1 Samuel 18:7 Or danced
  4. 1 Samuel 18:8 Lit was evil in his eyes
  5. 1 Samuel 18:10 Lit day by day
  6. 1 Samuel 18:10 Lit the
  7. 1 Samuel 18:11 Lit strike David and the wall
  8. 1 Samuel 18:11 Lit turned about
  9. 1 Samuel 18:13 Lit with him
  10. 1 Samuel 18:14 Or acting wisely
  11. 1 Samuel 18:15 Or acting very wisely
  12. 1 Samuel 18:20 Lit in his sight
  13. 1 Samuel 18:23 Lit in the ears of
  14. 1 Samuel 18:24 Lit by saying according
  15. 1 Samuel 18:26 Lit it was agreeable in the sight of
  16. 1 Samuel 18:26 Lit And the days had not expired

Cross references

  1. 1 Samuel 18:1 : Gen 44:30
  2. 1 Samuel 18:1 : Deut 13:6; 1 Sam 20:17; 2 Sam 1:26
  3. 1 Samuel 18:2 : 1 Sam 17:15
  4. 1 Samuel 18:3 : 1 Sam 20:8-17
  5. 1 Samuel 18:4 : Gen 41:42; 1 Sam 17:38; Esth 6:8
  6. 1 Samuel 18:6 : Ex 15:20, 21; Judg 11:34; Ps 68:25; 149:3
  7. 1 Samuel 18:7 : Ex 15:21; 1 Sam 21:11; 29:5
  8. 1 Samuel 18:7 : 1 Sam 21:11
  9. 1 Samuel 18:7 : 2 Sam 18:3
  10. 1 Samuel 18:8 : 1 Sam 15:28
  11. 1 Samuel 18:10 : 1 Sam 16:14
  12. 1 Samuel 18:10 : 1 Sam 19:23, 24
  13. 1 Samuel 18:10 : 1 Sam 16:23
  14. 1 Samuel 18:10 : 1 Sam 19:9
  15. 1 Samuel 18:11 : 1 Sam 19:10; 20:33
  16. 1 Samuel 18:12 : 1 Sam 18:15, 29
  17. 1 Samuel 18:12 : 1 Sam 16:13, 18
  18. 1 Samuel 18:12 : 1 Sam 16:14; 28:15
  19. 1 Samuel 18:13 : Num 27:17; 1 Sam 18:16; 2 Sam 5:2
  20. 1 Samuel 18:14 : Gen 39:2, 3, 23; Josh 6:27; 1 Sam 16:18
  21. 1 Samuel 18:16 : 1 Sam 18:5
  22. 1 Samuel 18:17 : 1 Sam 17:25
  23. 1 Samuel 18:17 : Num 21:14; 1 Sam 17:36, 47; 25:28
  24. 1 Samuel 18:17 : 1 Sam 18:21, 25
  25. 1 Samuel 18:18 : 1 Sam 9:21; 18:23; 2 Sam 7:18
  26. 1 Samuel 18:19 : 2 Sam 21:8
  27. 1 Samuel 18:19 : Judg 7:22; 1 Kin 19:16
  28. 1 Samuel 18:20 : 1 Sam 18:28
  29. 1 Samuel 18:21 : 1 Sam 18:17
  30. 1 Samuel 18:21 : 1 Sam 18:26
  31. 1 Samuel 18:23 : Gen 29:20; 34:12
  32. 1 Samuel 18:25 : Gen 34:12; Ex 22:17
  33. 1 Samuel 18:25 : 1 Sam 14:24
  34. 1 Samuel 18:25 : 1 Sam 18:17
  35. 1 Samuel 18:26 : 1 Sam 18:21
  36. 1 Samuel 18:27 : 1 Sam 18:17
  37. 1 Samuel 18:27 : 2 Sam 3:14
  38. 1 Samuel 18:30 : 2 Sam 11:1
  39. 1 Samuel 18:30 : 1 Sam 18:5

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1 Samuel 18 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

18 And it cometh to pass, when he finisheth to speak unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan hath been bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loveth him as his own soul. 2 And Saul taketh him on that day, and hath not permitted him to turn back to the house of his father. 3 And Jonathan maketh -- als...
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1 Samuel 18 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

18 And it was done, when David had ended to speak to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was glued together to the soul of David, that is, (they were) joined together by the glue of charity, (or of love,) that may not be broken, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul (and Jonathan loved him as much as he lov...
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1 Samuel 18 - World English Bible (WEB)

18 When he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 Saul took him that day, and wouldn’t let him go home to his father’s house any more. 3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own ...
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1 Samuel 18 - The Voice (VOICE)

18 By the time David had finished speaking to Saul, Saul’s son Jonathan was bound to David in friendship, and Jonathan loved David as he loved himself. 2 Saul took David into his service on that day and would not let him return to his father’s home. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David becaus...
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1 Samuel 18 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Jonathan’s Covenant Love for David18 Now it came to pass, when David had finished speaking to Saul, Jonathan’s soul was knit to David’s soul, and Jonathan loved him as himself. 2 Saul took him that day and did not let him return to his father’s house. 3 Then Jonathan cut a covenant with David, bec...
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1 Samuel 18 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

Jonathan’s Covenant with David18 When he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 And Saul took him that day, and would not let him return to his father’s house. 3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because ...
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1 Samuel 18 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Jonathan’s Covenant with David18 When he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 And Saul took him that day, and would not let him return to his father’s house. 3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because ...
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1 Samuel 18 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Jonathan’s Covenant with David18 When David[a] had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. 3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, becaus...
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1 Samuel 18 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Jonathan’s Covenant with David18 When David[a] had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.(A)2 Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house.(B)3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David becau...
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1 Samuel 18 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Saul Becomes Jealous of David18 After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David. 2 From that day on Saul kept David with him and wouldn’t let him return home. 3 And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David,...
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1 Samuel 18 - New Life Version (NLV)

King Saul Is Jealous of David18 When David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan became one with the soul of David. Jonathan loved him as himself. 2 Saul took David that day, and would not let him return to his father’s house. 3 Then Jonathan made an agreement with David, because he ...
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1 Samuel 18 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Saul Resents David18 Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, (A)the [a]soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, (B)and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 Saul took him that day, (C)and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore. 3 Then Jonathan and David made a (D)covenan...
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1 Samuel 18 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Saul’s growing fear of David18 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him a...
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1 Samuel 18 - New International Version (NIV)

Saul’s Growing Fear of David18 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan(A) became one in spirit with David, and he loved(B) him as himself.(C) 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant(D) with David because he l...
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1 Samuel 18 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

Saul’s Growing Fear of David18 David finished talking with Saul. After that, Jonathan and David became close friends. Jonathan loved David just as he loved himself. 2 From that time on, Saul kept David with him. He didn’t let him return home to his family. 3 Jonathan made a covenant with David bec...
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1 Samuel 18 - New English Translation (NET)

Saul Comes to Fear David18 When David[a] had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan and David became bound together in close friendship.[b] Jonathan loved David as much as he did his own life.[c] 2 Saul retained David[d] on that day and did not allow him to return to his father’s house. 3 Jonathan m...
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