17. Saul said to David, "Look, here is my oldest daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage on this condition: you must be my warrior and fight the Lord’s battles." I won’t raise my hand against him, Saul thought; let the Philistines do that!
18. "I’m not worthy," David replied to Saul, "and neither is my family or my father’s clan in Israel, to become the king’s son-in-law."
19. And so when the time came for Saul’s daughter Merab to be married to David, she was given to Adriel from Meholah instead.
20. Now Saul’s younger daughter Michal loved David. When this was reported to Saul, he was happy about it.
21. I’ll give her to him, Saul thought; she’ll cause him problems, and the Philistines will be against him.So Saul said to David a second time, "Become my son-in-law now."
22. Saul instructed his servants, "Tell David in private: ‘Look, the king likes you, and all his servants love you. You should become the king’s son-in-law.’"
23. Saul’s servants whispered these things in David’s ear. But David said, "Do you think it’s a simple matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I don’t! I’m poor and insignificant."
24. Saul’s servants reported what David said,
25. and Saul replied, "Tell David this: ‘The king doesn’t want any bridal gift, just a hundred Philistine foreskins as vengeance on the king’s enemies.’" (Saul was hoping that David would die at the hands of the Philistines.)
26. When the servants reported this to David, he was happy to become the king’s son-in-law. Even before the allotted time had expired,