1Samuel 16


God chooses a new king for Israel.


Samuel continued to feel sad that Saul will not be king anymore. God talked to Samuel. God said it was time for Samuel to stop feeling sad. Now, God will show Samuel the new king. Samuel should go to see a man named Jesse.  Jesse lives in the area of Bethlehem.  Samuel should take oil with him. He should anoint the new king. This means that Samuel will put special oil on the new king, and the new king will be holy.  
[1] And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.


Samuel said that if Saul hears he is going to find the new king, he will kill him. God told Samuel to take a cow with him. He should say that he is going to make a sacrifice.
[2] And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he Will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.


Samuel should call Jesse to come to the sacrifice. God will show Samuel who the new king will be. Then Samuel will anoint the new king with oil.
[3] And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.

Samuel obeyed God. He went to Bethlehem.  The leaders in Bethlehem felt afraid when they saw him coming. They asked if he was coming for a good and peaceful reason.
[4] And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?


Samuel said that he was there for a peaceful reason. He came there to make a sacrifice to God. He told the people to get ready to worship God. He wanted them to be with him for the sacrifice. He especially invited Jesse and his sons to come.
[5] And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.


Jesse and his sons came to the sacrifice. Samuel looked at the sons. He first looked at the son named Eliab.  Samuel thought that Eliab would probably be the new king. Samuel thought God would choose Eliab.
[6] And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD's anointed is before him.


But God told Samuel no. Eliab was not the new king. Eliab was nice-looking, and he was tall. But God said he does not look at a person's outside appearance (if they are pretty or if they are not pretty). God looks at a person's heart. God looks at how the person thinks and feels.
[7] But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.


Jesse called his next son. The next son was named Abinadab. Abinadab walked in front of Samuel.  Samuel said that God did not choose Abinadab.
[8] Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.

Then Jesse's son Shamnah walked by. Samuel said that God did not choose Shamnah.
[9] Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.


Jesse had 7 of his sons walk past Samuel. But Samuel said that God did not choose any of them.
[10] Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.

David watches his father's sheep From "Standard Bible Story Readers, Book One" by Lillie Faris From the LaVista Church of Christ web site

Samuel asked Jesse if all of his children were there. Jesse said his youngest child was not there. The youngest child was taking care of the sheep. Samuel told Jesse to bring the youngest son. He said they will not sit down until the youngest child arrives.
[11] And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.

Jesse sent someone to get his youngest child. Then he arrived. He was a very nice-looking boy. His skin was ruddy (his skin was a little red). God told Samuel that this was the one He was choosing. He will be the new king of Israel.
[12] And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
 

Samuel took the oil and put it on Jesse's youngest son.  His name was David. From that time on into the future, God's spirit was on David.  Then Samuel left and went back to Ramah.
[13] Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

 

Saul is very worried and upset.

God's spirit was not with Saul anymore.  Now, God sent an evil (bad) spirit to Saul. The evil spirit made Saul feel upset and worried.
[14] But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.


Saul's workers told him that he was feeling bad because of the evil spirit from God. They wanted to go find someone to help Saul. They wanted to find someone to play music on the instrument named the harp. Then, when the evil spirit makes him feel bad, the harp music will make him feel better and calmer.
[15] And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
[16] Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.


Saul said yes. They should go find someone who can play the harp. They should bring that person to him.
[17] And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.


One of the workers said he has seen someone play the harp. The workers says he has seen one of Jesse's sons play the harp. The man knows David. He knows he is brave, intelligent, and nice-looking. He said that God is with David.
[18] Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.


Saul sent people to talk to Jesse. He said he wanted David to come to him.
[19] Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.


Jesse got some bread, wine, and a goat. He put them on a donkey.  Then David and the donkey left and traveled to Saul.
[20] And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul.

David plays the harp for Saul From "The Boys of the Bible" by Hartwell James From the LaVista Church of Christ web site

David arrived at Saul's place and helped him. Saul loved David. David was one of Saul's amourbearers (helpers).
[21] And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.


Saul sent a message to Jesse. He said that he liked David and wanted David to stay there and work for him.
[22] And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.


God sent an evil spirit to Saul. The evil spirit made Saul feel worried and upset. David played music on the harp. Then Saul felt better. The evil spirit left Saul.
[23] And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

1 Samuel 17


David kills a very large Philistine soldier named Goliath.


The Philistines were getting ready to fight the Israelites. They met together at Shochoh, a place in Judah's land. They had a camp between Shochoh and Azekah in the area named Ephes-dammim. 
[1] Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.


Saul and the Israelite army got ready to fight the Philistines. The Israelites camped on a mountain, and the Philistines camped on another mountain. There was a valley between the 2 mountains.
[2] And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines.
[3] And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.

There was a very big Philistine named Goliath. Goliath lived in the area named Gath. He was very tall. He was more than 9 feet tall.
[4] And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.

 

Examples of soldiers' armor From www.fromoldbooks.org

Goliath wore a helmet (hat and head protection) that was brass.  He wore metal armor that weighed 125 pounds. He wore brass armor on his legs.  He carried a big brass spear (sharp weapon to throw). The spear head weighed 15 pounds. He had a helper who carried his shield.
[5] And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.
[6] And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders.
[7] And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him.


Saul stood and yelled to the Israelite army. He asked them why they were getting ready for a war. He said one Israelite should come to fight him.  If the Israelite wins, then the Philistines will work for the Israelites. But if the Philistines win, the Israelites must work for the Philistines.
[8] And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.
[9] If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.
 

Goliath said he would fight any man they sent.
[10] And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.


Saul and the Israelites were afraid of Goliath.
[11] When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.


David had 7 brothers. David's father was old, and his name was Jesse.
[12] Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.


Jesse's 3 oldest sons went to Saul's army. The 3 oldest sons were Eliab, Abinadab, and Shammah.  David was the youngest son. 
[13] And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.


The 3 oldest sons went with Saul to fight in the army. David went back and forth. He went to the army camp with Saul, and then he went back to the town of Bethlehem to take care of his father's sheep.
[14] And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul.
[15] But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.


Goliath came out every morning and every evening. He yelled for someone to come and fight him. He did this for 40 days.
[16] And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.


Jesse asked David to take some corn and 10 loaves of bread to his brothers. He also gave him 10 pieces of cheese. The cheese was for the leaders of the army. Jesse wanted David to see how his sons were doing.  Jesse wanted David to bring back something to show they were doing all right.
[17] And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren;
[18] And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.


At that time, Saul and the Israelite army were in the valley named Elah. They were still fighting with the Philistines.
[19] Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.


David got up early in the morning.  He left his sheep with someone else. He obeyed Jesse. He went to the Israelite army.  When David arrived at the army camp, the army was ready to fight. They were yelling and were lined up to fight.
[20] And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle.
[21] For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.


David left the things he brought with the person in charge of supplies. He ran to the army and talked to his brothers.
[22] And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.

While David was talking to his brothers, Goliath came out and was yelling to the Israelites. David heard Goliath.
[23] And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.


When the Israelites saw Goliath, they were afraid, and they ran away.
[24] And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.


The Israelite soldiers talked about Goliath. Goliath is insulting Israel. They talked about the reward for killing Goliath. Saul said that if someone kills Goliath, that man will marry the king's daughter. The man and his family will never have to pay taxes.
[25] And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.

David asked the soldiers around him about the reward. He asked what reward the man who kills Goliath will get.  David said that Goliath is not circumcised. Goliath is not an Israelite. Goliath is not one of God's special people. Goliath is insulting Israel.  David says that Goliath is worthless.
[26] And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?


The soldiers told David what the king promised for a reward.
[27] And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.


David's oldest brother, Eliab, was mad at David. He heard David talking to the soldiers. He asked why David was there. He asked who was taking care of the sheep.  Eliab said that David is spoiled. Eliab says he is  just being nosey to come and see the war.
[28] And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.


David is not happy with his brother. He said he hasn't done anything wrong.
[29] And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?


David asked other people the same question about the reward. Everyone told him the same thing. The person who kills Goliath will marry Saul's daughter, and his family will not have to pay taxes.
[30] And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.

Some of the people heard David asking questions about the reward. They told Saul. Saul asked David to come to him.
[31] And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him.


David said that they should not be afraid of Goliath. He said he will go himself and fight Goliath.
[32] And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.


Saul said that David could not fight Goliath. David is very young. He has not been a soldier.
[33] And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.


David told Saul about some things that he did in the past.  He told about 2 times when a lion and bear attacked the sheep.  The large animals took sheep and ran away with them.
[34] And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:


David said that he chased them. He hit them and pulled the sheep out of their mouths. When the lion and bear woke up and attacked him, he grabbed their hair, hit them, and killed them.  He said he will do the same thing to Goliath. Goliath has insulted God's army.
[35] And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
[36] Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.


David said that God saved him from the lion and bear. God will now save him from Goliath. Saul told him to go ahead. Saul prayed for God to help David.
[37] David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.


Saul put his armor on David. He put on his brass helmet (hard hat). He also put his metal coat on David.  David also had Saul's sword. David tried to walk, but it was hard with all of the armor. David took everything off.
[38] And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.
[39] And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.
 

From Academy BJE, NSW Australia

David picked up his staff (long stick) and 5 smooth rocks from the creek. He put them in his bag. He also had his sling (strap to throw something far). Then he went to Goliath.
[40] And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.


Goliath walked closer to David. The man who carried Goliath's shield walked first.
[41] And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.
 

When Goliath saw David, he was upset. David wasn't a strong soldier. David was very young. He looked like a kid.
[42] And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.


Goliath saw David's staff. He asked David if David thinks he's a dog because he brought a stick. Goliath used the names of the Philistines' gods and cursed David.
[43] And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.


Goliath told David to come to him. He said he will give David's dead body to the birds and the wild animals.
[44] And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.


David said that Goliath has strong weapons--a sword, spear, and shield. But David has God with him. He is using God's name. God is the leader of the Israelite army. Goliath said bad things about God's army.
[45] Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
 

David said that God will help him defeat Goliath today. He will kill Goliath and cut off his head. Then he will give the dead bodies of the other Philistine soldiers to the birds and wild animals. Then everyone on earth will know that God is helping Israel.
[46] This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.


Everyone will see that God does not need swords and spears. God is very strong. God can defeat anyone. God will help the Israelites defeat the Philistines.
[47] And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hands.


Goliath started to come near David. Then David ran toward Goliath.
[48] And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
 

David kills Goliath with a sling and a rock Art from johnpratt.com

David put his hand into the bag. He took out a rock. He put the rock in the sling. He used the sling and threw the rock at Goliath. The rock hit Goliath in the forehead (the middle of his face). The rock smashed Goliath's head, and Goliath fell on the ground. Goliath died. David did not use a big weapon like a sword. He killed Goliath with a rock and sling.
[49] And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.
[50] So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.


Then David ran and stood by Goliath's dead body. He took out Goliath's sword and cut off Goliath's head. The other Philistines saw that Goliath was dead.   They were afraid and ran away.
[51] Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.

The other men in the Israelite army chased the Philistine soldiers.  They chased them as far as the gates of the area named Ekron. They hurt many Philistine soldiers. There were many hurt Philistine soldiers by the road. The road went from the place named Shaaraim to Gath and then to Ekron.
[52] And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.


The Israelite soldiers finished chasing the Philistines. Next, they took things from the Philistine tents.
[53] And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents.


David took Goliath's head to the city named Jerusalem. He put Goliath's armor in his tent.
[54] And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent.

 

David and Saul's son, Jonathan, become good friends.


Earlier, when David was going to fight Goliath, Saul asked Abner about David's father. He wanted to know who his father was. Abner didn't know. Saul told him to ask other people.
[55] And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.
[56] And the king said, Inquire thou whose son the stripling is.


When David came back after he killed Goliath, Abner took him to see Saul. David was carrying Goliath's head.
[57] And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand.


Saul asked David the name of his father. David said that Jesse was his father. Jesse lived in the town named Bethlehem.
[58] And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.
 

1 Samuel 18


David finished talking to Saul. Then Saul's son, Jonathan, and David became good friends. Jonathan loved David as much as he loved himself.
[1] And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.


Saul would not let David go back to his father's house anymore.
[2] And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house.


Jonathan and David made a covenant (special promise).  Jonathan took off his robe. He gave the robe to David. He also gave David his sword, bow, belt, and other clothes.
[3] Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
[4] And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.


David did everything that Saul asked him to do. He behaved very well. Saul made David a leader in the army. Everyone liked David. Saul's soldiers liked David, too.
[5] And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.

 

Saul turns against David.


Saul and his army came home from fighting the Philistines. The women came out to meet the army.  They were playing music. The women were singing and dancing. 
[6] And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick.
 

The women sang about Saul and David. They said that Saul killed 1000's of Philistines. But they said that David killed more than 10,000. Saul was mad about this. Saul didn't like the women to say that David killed more Philistines than he killed. Saul was worried that the people would want David to be the king. Then Saul never trusted David again.
[7] And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.
[8] And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto 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.

 

Saul tries to kill David.


The next day, God sent an evil spirit on Saul. Saul started to behave strangely. David played the harp to make Saul feel calm. But Saul tried to kill David. He threw a spear (sharp stick) at David two times. But David moved, and the spear missed him.
[10] And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand.
[11] And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.


Saul knew that God was helping David now. God was not helping Saul anymore.  Saul made David a leader in his army. He sent David away to fight with the army. David was a leader over 1,000 Israelites.
[12] And Saul was afraid of David, because the 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.


God helped David. David always obeyed God and behaved well. Saul saw that David behaved well. That made Saul more afraid of David.
[14] And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.
[15] Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.


All of the other Israelites loved David because he was a leader in the army.
[16] But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.

 

David marries Saul's daughter.
 

Saul said that his oldest daughter named Merab could be David's wife. But first, David must fight in some wars. Saul was hoping that the Philistines would kill David.
[17] And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD's battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.


David said that he was not good enough to marry the king's daughter. He said his family was not special.
[18] And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?


When it was time for Merab to marry David, Saul let her marry a different man. She married a man named Adriel.  Adriel was from the town called Meholah.
[19] But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul's daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife.


Saul had another daughter. Her name was Michal.  Michal was in love with David. Someone told Saul that Michal loved David. Saul was happy about this.
[20] And Michal Saul's daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him.


Saul decided that he would let Michal marry David. Saul thought he could use Michal to trap David. Saul really wanted the Philistines to kill David. Saul told David that he was going to let him marry one of his other daughters (instead of Merab).
[21] And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.

Saul talked to some of his helpers. He wanted them to help with his new plan. Saul told the helpers to talk to David in private. The helpers should encourage David to say yes and marry one of Saul's daughters.
[22] And Saul commanded his servants, saying, Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the king's son in law.


Saul's helpers talked to David.  They encouraged David to marry Saul's daughter. But David said he was not good enough to marry the king's daughter. David said that he is poor. David said not many people know him.
[23] And Saul's servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king's son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?


Saul's helpers told him what David said.  Then Saul told them what to say next. Saul's helpers should say that Saul does not want any money. Saul wants proof that David killed 100 Philistines.  David should kill 100 Philistines and bring some of their skin back to Saul. Saul was really hoping that the Philistines would kill David.
[24] And the servants of Saul told him, saying, On this manner spake David.
[25] And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

Saul's helpers told David what Saul said. David agreed to do this. He got up and took some men. They killed 200 Philistines. David brought back some of their skin to Saul. Then David married Saul's daughter, Michal.
[26] And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king's son in law: and the days were not expired.
[27] Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king's son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife.


Saul could see that God was helping David. Saul could see that his daughter loved David. Saul was afraid of David and continued to hate him.
[28] And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him.
[29] And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually.

The Philistine leaders came to fight with Israel again. David was the best soldier in the Israelites army. Everyone had a high and good opinion of David.
[30] Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.