Old Testament

New Testament

1 Samuel 18:14-23 Modern English Version (MEV)

14. David was successful in all his ways and the Lord was with him.

15. When Saul saw that he was very successful, he was afraid of him.

16. Now all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.

17. Saul said to David, “Behold my elder daughter Merab, I will give her to you as your wife. Only be valiant for me, and fight the battles of the Lord.” For Saul said, “Let not my hand be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him.”

18. But David said to 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?”

19. So when it was time that Merab, daughter of Saul, should have been given to David, she was given to Adriel the Meholathite for a wife.

20. Now Michal, daughter of Saul, loved David and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him.

21. Saul said, “I will give her to him that she may be a snare to him, and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore Saul said to David, “For a second time, you may be my son-in-law today.”

22. Saul commanded his servants, saying, “Speak to David in secret saying, ‘Listen, the king delights in you and all his servants love you. Now therefore become the king’s son-in-law.’ ”

23. So the servants of Saul spoke these words in the ears of David. And David said, “Does it seem to you a light thing to be a king’s son-in-law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?”

Read complete chapter 1 Samuel 18