1 Samuel 18:2-8

Evangelical Heritage Version

² Saul took David into his service that day and would not let him go back to his father’s house anymore. ³ Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because Jonathan loved David as his own soul. ⁴ Jonathan took off the robe that he was wearing and gave it to David, as well as his other gear, including his sword, his bow, and his belt.

⁵ David went out wherever Saul sent him, and he was successful. So Saul put him in charge of a group of soldiers. All the people approved, as did Saul’s officials.

⁶ As the army was coming back from battle, when David was returning from striking down the Philistine, women came out from all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful music, with hand drums, and with noisemakers.^{[a] 7} The women sang to each other as they played:

⁸ Saul became furious, because he resented this statement. He said, “They have credited David with tens of thousands, but to me they have credited only thousands. What more can be given to him but the kingship?”