When David returned to Saul with the head of Goliath in his hand, Saul inquired of him “Whose son are you, young man?”. And David answered “I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.”

Saul took him that day in his army and would not let him return to his father’s house. This event also marked the beginning of his friendship with Jonathan, the son of Saul, who loved him as his own soul from that day on. He stripped himself of his own robe and gave it to David along with his sword and his armor, to mark his covenant with David. David was successful wherever Saul sent him for war, and this was good in the sight of Saul and his servants.

However, when they were returning home after their victory, the people of Israel welcomed King Saul, singing with musical instruments and dancing with joy. The women sang to one another as they celebrated,

“Saul has struck down his thousands.
And David his ten thousands.”

This caused envy in King Saul who said “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?“. Saul eyed David from that day on.

The next day when Saul was tormented by a harmful spirit from God and raved within his house as David played the lyre, Saul hurled his spear towards him, for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David evaded him twice.

Saul knew that the LORD was with David and had departed from himself, so he removed David from his presence and made him the commander of a thousand men, hoping to get rid of him through the Philistines.  But David was successful in all his undertakings for the LORD was with him. While all of Israel and Judah loved David, Saul stood in fearful awe of him.

Saul also gave his daughter Micah in marriage to David, for she loved him and Saul thought, “Let me give her to him, that she may be a snare for him and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him”. As David attained success after success against the Philistines, Saul fears also grew continually.