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25 Saul said, “This is what you are to tell David, ‘The king desires no bride price except 100 Philistine foreskins to take vengeance on the king’s enemies.’” Now Saul thought he would cause David to die at the hand of the Philistines. 26 When his officials[a] delivered this message to David, David decided it would be a good thing to become the king’s son-in-law. Before the time was up, 27 David got up, went out with his men, and struck down 200 Philistine men. David brought their foreskins and gave them all to the king so he could become the king’s son-in-law. So Saul gave him his daughter Michal as a wife. 28 As Saul continued to observe, he realized that the Lord was with David and that Saul’s daughter Michal loved him. 29 Then Saul was even more afraid of David, and Saul was David’s enemy from that time on.[b]

30 The Philistine commanders would go out to fight[c] and whenever they did, David was more successful than any of Saul’s other leaders.[d] His name was held in high esteem.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 18:26 Or servants
  2. 1 Samuel 18:29 Lit. all the days
  3. 1 Samuel 18:30 The Heb. lacks to fight
  4. 1 Samuel 18:30 Or servants

25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price(A) for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge(B) on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan(C) was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines.

26 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27 David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal(D) in marriage.

28 When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal(E) loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid(F) of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days.

30 The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success(G) than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known.

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