1 Samuel 18:5-16 - David's Successes Arouse Saul's Suspicions

⁵ And David went out wherever Saul sent him, [and] behaved himself wisely. And Saul set him over the men of war, and it was good in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.

⁶ And it came to pass as they came, when David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with timbrels, with joy, and with instruments ⁷ And the women sang one to another as they played, and said, Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.

⁸ And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him, and he said, They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands, and what can he have more but the kingdom? ⁹ And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.

¹⁰ And it came to pass on the morrow, that an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house. And David played with his hand, as he did day by day, and Saul had his spear in his hand. ¹¹ And Saul cast the spear, for he said, I will smite David even to the wall. And David turned away from his presence twice.

¹² And Saul was afraid of David because LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul. ¹³ Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand, and he went out and came in before the people. ¹⁴ And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways, and LORD was with him. ¹⁵ And when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him. ¹⁶ But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them.