1 Samuel 17:55-18:5

New English Translation

^55 [a] Now as Saul watched David going out to fight the Philistine, he asked Abner, the general in command of the army, “Whose son is that young man, Abner?” Abner replied, “As surely as you live, O king, I don’t know.” ⁵⁶ The king said, “Find out whose son this boy is.”

⁵⁷ So when David returned from striking down the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul. He still had the head of the Philistine in his hand. ⁵⁸ Saul said to him, “Whose son are you, young man?” David replied, “I am the son of your servant Jesse in Bethlehem.”

Saul Comes to Fear David

18 When David^[b] had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan and David became bound together in close friendship.^[c] Jonathan loved David as much as he did his own life.^{[d] 2} Saul retained David^[e] on that day and did not allow him to return to his father’s house. ³ Jonathan made a covenant with David, for he loved him as much as he did his own life.^{[f] 4} Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with the rest of his gear including his sword, his bow, and even his belt.

⁵ On every mission on which Saul sent him, David achieved success. So Saul appointed him over the men of war. This pleased not only all the army, but also Saul’s servants.^[g]