1 Samuel 18:1-9

1David finished talking to Saul. After that, Jonathan became David’s closest friend. He loved David as much as ⌞he loved⌟ himself.

2(From that day on Saul kept David ⌞as his servant⌟ and didn’t let him go back to his family.)

3So Jonathan made a pledge of mutual loyalty with David because he loved him as much as ⌞he loved⌟ himself.

4Jonathan took off the coat he had on and gave it to David along with his battle tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt.

5David was successful wherever Saul sent him. Saul put him in charge of the fighting men. This pleased all the people, including Saul’s officials.

6As they arrived, David was returning from a campaign against the Philistines. Women from all of Israel’s cities came to meet King Saul. They sang and danced, accompanied by tambourines, joyful music, and triangles.

7The women who were celebrating sang, “Saul has defeated thousands but David tens of thousands!”

8Saul became very angry because he considered this saying to be insulting. “To David they credit tens of thousands,” he said, “but to me they credit ⌞only⌟ a few thousand. The only thing left for David is my kingdom.”

9From that day on Saul kept an eye on David.