1 Samuel 18:5-16 - David's Successes Arouse Saul's Suspicions
5 So David did everything Saul sent him to do successfully. Saul made him a commander in his army. This pleased the people and Saul's servants.
6 David returned from a campaign against the Philistines. That same day women from all of Israel's cities came to meet King Saul. They sang and danced. Tambourines, joyful music, and triangles accompanied them. 7 The women who celebrated sang: Saul has defeated thousands but David tens of thousands!
8 Saul became very angry because he considered this saying to be insulting. He said: To David they credit tens of thousands but to me they credit only a few thousand. The only thing left for David is my kingdom. 9 He was jealous and suspicious of David from that day on.
10 The next day Jehovah let a distressing spirit take control of Saul. He began acting like a crazy man inside his house. David came to play the harp for Saul as usual. This time Saul had a spear in his hand. 11 Saul balanced the spear in his hand and said: I will give David a blow! I will pin him to the wall. David got away from him twice.
12 Saul was afraid of David, because Jehovah was with David but left Saul. 13 So Saul sent him away. He put him in command of a thousand men. David led his men in battle. 14 Jehovah helped David. He and his soldiers always won their battles. 15 Saul saw how wisely David behaved. This made him fear him. 16 Everyone in Israel and Judah loved David. He led them in and out of battle.