Editing Saul (section)

=== Saul and David ===
[[File:Saul and David by Rembrandt Mauritshuis 621.jpg|thumb|upright=1.13|''David Plays the Harp for Saul'', by [[Rembrandt van Rijn]], {{circa|1650}} and 1670]]
After Samuel tells Saul that God has rejected him as king, [[David]], a son of [[Jesse (biblical figure)|Jesse]], from the [[tribe of Judah]], enters the story: from this point on Saul's story is largely the account of his increasingly troubled relationship with David.
*Samuel heads to [[Bethlehem]], ostensibly to offer [[korban|sacrifice]] and invited Jesse and his sons. Dining together, Jesse's sons are brought one by one to Samuel, each being rejected; at last, Jesse sends for David, the youngest, who is tending sheep. When brought to Samuel, David is anointed by him in front of his other brothers.
*In 1 Samuel 16:25-23, Saul is troubled by an evil spirit sent by God.<ref>[http://biblehub.com/commentaries/cambridge/1_samuel/16.htm Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges on 1 Samuel 16], accessed 12 May 2017.</ref> He requests soothing music, and a servant recommends David the son of Jesse, who is renowned for his skills as a [[harp]]ist and other talents:<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Samuel|16:14–23|HE}}</ref>
:''a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the Lord is with him''
:When word of Saul's needs reaches Jesse, he sends David, who had been looking after Jesse's flock, with gifts as a [[tribute]],<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Samuel|16:20|NKJV}}: a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and a young goat</ref> and David is appointed as Saul's armor bearer. With Jesse's permission he remains at court, playing the harp as needed to calm Saul during his troubled spells.<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Samuel|17:15|NKJV}} suggests David only attended court periodically.</ref>
* The Philistines return with an army to attack Israel, and the Philistine and Israelite forces gather on opposite sides of a valley. The Philistine's champion [[Goliath]] issues a challenge for single combat, but none of the Israelite accept. David is described as a young shepherd who happens to be delivering food to his three eldest brothers in the army, and he hears Goliath's challenge. David speaks mockingly of the Philistines to some soldiers; his speech is overheard and reported to Saul, who summons David and appoints David as his champion. David easily defeats Goliath with a single shot from a [[Sling (weapon)|sling]]. At the end of the passage, Saul asks his general, Abner, who David is.<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Samuel|17:1–18:5|HE}}</ref>

Saul offered his elder daughter Merab as a wife to the now popular David, after his victory over Goliath, but David demurred. David distinguishes himself in the Philistine wars. Upon David's return from battle, the women praise him in song:
:''Saul has slain his thousands and David his tens of thousands'' <ref>{{bibleverse|1|Samuel|18:7|NKJV}}, recurring in {{bibleverse|1|Samuel|21:11|NKJV}} and {{bibleverse|1|Samuel|29:5|NKJV}}</ref>
implying that David is the greater warrior. Saul fears David's growing popularity and henceforth views him as a rival to the throne.

Saul's son Jonathan and David become close friends. Jonathan recognizes David as the rightful king, and "made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Samuel%2018%20;&version=47; |title=1 Samuel 18; ESV – David and Jonathan's Friendship |publisher=Bible Gateway |access-date=15 September 2014}}</ref> Jonathan even gives David his military clothes, symbolizing David's position as successor to Saul.

[[File:Jusepe Leonardo 001.jpeg|thumb|upright=1.3|''Saul threatening David'', by [[José Leonardo]]]]
On two occasions, Saul threw a spear at David as he played the harp for Saul. David becomes increasingly successful and Saul becomes increasingly resentful. Now Saul actively plots against David. Saul offered his other daughter, Michal in marriage to David. David initially rejects this offer also, claiming he is too poor. Saul offers to accept a [[bride price]] of 100 Philistine foreskins, intending that David die in the attempt. Instead, David obtains 200 foreskins and is consequently married to Michal. Jonathan arranges a short-lived reconciliation between Saul and David and for a while David served Saul "as in times past"<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Samuel|19:1-7|NKJV}}</ref> until "the distressing spirit from the Lord" re-appeared. Saul sends assassins in the night, but Michal helps him escape, tricking them by placing a household idol in his bed. David flees to Jonathan, who arranges a meeting with his father. While dining with Saul, Jonathan explains David's absence, saying he has been called away to his brothers. But Saul sees through the ruse and reprimands Jonathan for protecting David, warning him that his love of David will cost him the kingdom, furiously throwing a spear at him. The next day, Jonathan meets with David and tells him Saul's intent. The two friends say their goodbyes, and David flees into the countryside. Saul later marries Michal to another man.

Saul is later informed by his head shepherd, [[Doeg the Edomite]], that high priest [[Ahimelech]] assisted David, giving him the sword of Goliath, which had been kept at the temple at [[Nob, Israel|Nob]]. Doeg kills Ahimelech and eighty-five other priests and Saul orders the death of the entire population of Nob.

David had left Nob by this point and had amassed some 300 dissatisfied men, including some outlaws. With these men David rescues the town of [[Keilah]] from a Philistine attack. Saul realizes he could trap David and his men by laying the city to siege. David realizes that the citizens of Keilah will betray him to Saul. He flees to [[Ziph (Judean Mountains)|Ziph]] pursued by Saul. Saul hunts David in the vicinity of Ziph on two occasions:
*Some of the inhabitants of Ziph betray David's location to Saul, but David hears about it and flees with his men to Maon. Saul follows David, but is forced to break off pursuit when the Philistines invade. After dealing with that threat Saul tracks David to the caves at [[Ein Gedi]]. As he searches the cave David manages to cut off a piece of Saul's robe without being discovered, yet David restrains his men from harming the king. David then leaves the cave, revealing himself to Saul, and gives a speech that persuades Saul to reconcile.
*On the second occasion, Saul returns to Ziph with his men. When David hears of this, he slips into Saul's camp by night, and again restrains his men from killing the king; instead he steals Saul's spear and water jug, leaving his own spear thrust into the ground by Saul's side. The next day, David reveals himself to Saul, showing the jug and spear as proof that he could have slain him. David then persuades Saul to reconcile with him; the two swear never to harm each other. After this they never see each other again.