Add parallel Print Page Options

David Presented to Saul. 55 As Saul watched David go out to meet the Philistine, he asked his general Abner, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” Abner replied, “On your life, O king, I have no idea.”(A) 56 And the king said, “Find out whose son the lad is.” 57 So when David returned from slaying the Philistine, Abner escorted him into Saul’s presence. David was still holding the Philistine’s head. 58 Saul then asked him, “Whose son are you, young man?” David replied, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.”

Chapter 18

David and Jonathan. By the time David finished speaking with Saul, Jonathan’s life became bound up with David’s life; he loved him as his very self.(B) Saul retained David on that day and did not allow him to return to his father’s house.(C) Jonathan and David made a covenant, because Jonathan loved him as his very self. Jonathan took off[a] the cloak he was wearing and handed it over to David, along with his military dress, even his sword, bow, and belt.(D) 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.

Footnotes

  1. 18:4 Jonathan took off: with the details in this verse, the narrator identifies David as Jonathan’s replacement and Saul’s heir to the throne. Cf. 23:17 and Gn 41:39–43.

55 As Saul watched David(A) going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner,(B) whose son is that young man?”

Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.”

56 The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.”

57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head.

58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him.

David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse(C) of Bethlehem.”

Saul’s Growing Fear of David

18 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan(D) became one in spirit with David, and he loved(E) him as himself.(F) From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant(G) with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe(H) he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.(I)

Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful(J) that Saul gave him a high rank in the army.(K) This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well.