12. The Lord had left Saul and was with David. So Saul was afraid of David.
13. He sent David away. He put him in command of 1,000 men. David led the troops in battle.
14. In everything he did, he was very successful. That's because the Lord was with him.
15. When Saul saw how successful David was, he became afraid of him.
16. But all of the troops of Israel and Judah loved David. That's because he led them in battle.
17. Saul said to David, "Here is my older daughter Merab. I'll give her to you to be your wife. Just serve me bravely and fight the Lord's battles." Saul said to himself, "I won't have to lift my hand to strike him down. The Philistines will do that!"
18. But David said to Saul, "Who am I? Is anyone in my whole family that important in Israel? Am I worthy to become the king's son-in-law?"
19. The time came for Saul to give his daughter Merab to David. Instead, Saul gave her to Adriel from Meholah to be his wife.
20. Saul's daughter Michal was in love with David. When they told Saul about it, he was pleased.
21. "I'll give her to him to be his wife," he said to himself. "Then maybe she'll trap him. And maybe the powerful hand of the Philistines will strike him down." So Saul said to David, "Now you have a second chance to become my son-in-law."
22. Then Saul gave an order to his attendants. He said, "Speak to David in private. Tell him, 'The king is pleased with you. All of his attendants like you. So become his son-in-law.' "