How we cite our quotes:
Quote #7
And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. {Philistine: or, Philistines} {instruments...: Heb. three stringed instruments} And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? {displeased him: Heb. was evil in his eyes} And Saul eyed David from that day and forward. (1 Samuel 18:6-9, KJV)
As they were coming home, when David returned from killing the Philistine, the women came out of all the towns of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments. And the women sang to one another as they made merry, "Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands." Saul was very angry, for this saying displeased him. He said, "They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands; what more can he have but the kingdom?" So Saul eyed David from that day on. (1 Samuel 18:6-9, NRSV)
How terrible would it be to walk into a room and having people cheer for you only to then realize they're cheering for the person behind you. Not only are you embarrassed, but pretty mad considering you're obviously better than the person behind you. We do feel bad for Saul sometimes. Well, that's until he tries to kill David with a spear. Good feelings gone.
Quote #8
And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king's son in law: and the days were not expired. {expired: Heb. fulfilled} Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king's son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife. (1 Samuel 18:25-27, KJV)
Then Saul said, "Thus shall you say to David, 'The king desires no marriage present except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, that he may be avenged on the king's enemies.'" Now Saul planned to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. When his servants told David these words, David was well pleased to be the king's son-in-law. Before the time had expired, David rose and went, along with his men, and killed one hundred of the Philistines; and David brought their foreskins, which were given in full number to the king, that he might become the king's son-in-law. Saul gave him his daughter Michal as a wife. (1 Samuel 18:25-27, NRSV)
Just when you think that Saul couldn't make any stranger choices, he has to go and ask David for some foreskins. We know this reads strange, but to the Israelite population, an uncircumcised male was a big deal. We have to give David credit though. Not only does he complete Saul's task, thereby still winning in competition of awesomeness, but he does it with a smile. What a guy.
Quote #9
Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds; That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day? {sheweth...: Heb. uncovereth mine ear}. (1 Samuel 22:7-8, KJV)
Saul said to his servants who stood around him, "Hear now, you Benjaminites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, will he make you all commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds? Is that why all of you have conspired against me? No one discloses to me when my son makes a league with the son of Jesse, none of you is sorry for me or discloses to me that my son has stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as he is doing today." (1 Samuel 22:7-8, NRSV)
Saul definitely has the advantage over David in acquiring allies. He can give them fields and vineyards and make them leaders in the army. Hey, why not bribe people instead of being a great leader who inspires others to follow you? In contrast, David is left with all of the discontent, down on their luck, and in debt men. And yet David is winning because he has an ally in Saul's son Jonathan, and because he's got charisma in spades.