When the victorious Israelite army was returning home, after David killed the Philistine, women from all over the towns of Israel came out to meet King Saul. They sang and danced for joy with tambourines and cymbals. This was their song:
“Saul has killed thousands, and David has killed ten thousands!”
This made Saul very angry. “What is this?” he said, “They credit David with ten thousands and me only thousands. Next, they’ll be making him their king!” So from that time on, Saul kept a jealous eye on David.
The very next day, a tormenting spirit from God overwhelmed Saul, and he began to rave like a madman. David was playing the harp, as he did each day. But Saul had a spear in his hand, and suddenly he hurled it as David, intending to pin him to the wall. But David escaped him twice.
Saul was then afraid of David, for the Lord was with David and had turned away from Saul. Finally, Saul sent him away and appointed him commander over 1,000 men, and David faithfully led his troops to battle.
David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the Lord was with him. When Saul recognized this, he became even more afraid of him. But all of Israel and Judah loved David because he was so successful at leading his troops to battle. (vv. 6-16, NLT)