One of the most well-known accounts in the Word of God is also one of the most perplexing when read in sequence. For the serious reader of Scripture, the progression of events in 1 Samuel 16–18 raises significant questions. Attempt to consult multiple commentaries, and you will encounter what might be called the Rabbi’s dilemma: two men with eighty differing opinions on the same subject.
Few commentators agree on the chronology and cohesion of these chapters. Indeed, some liberal scholars have used the apparent inconsistencies to argue that the David and Goliath narrative is merely allegorical, or a later fable inserted into the text. But we shall see.
The story begins in chapter 16 with the decline of Saul, Israel’s first king. Due to a series of grave mistakes and acts of disobedience, Saul enters a divinely initiated process of dethronement. The prophet Samuel, deeply grieved over Saul’s failure, entered into a prolonged period of mourning until the Lord interrupted him with a direct question:
1 Samuel 16:1 (KJV) — 1 And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
We are all familiar with the next sequence of events. One by one, the sons of Jesse are presented before Samuel, yet each is rejected from receiving the anointing of kingship. After all seven have passed before him, the prophet pauses—surely perplexed—until the revelation comes: there remains yet another son. David, the youngest, is still out in the fields, faithfully tending his father’s sheep. It is only then, after all presumed candidates are passed over, that David is brought in from the pasture.
1 Samuel 16:11–14 (KJV) — 11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. 12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. 14 But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him.
At this point in the narrative, we are given only a brief but telling introduction to David. According to the testimony of Jesse, David is the youngest of all his brothers. The Hebrew word translated “youngest” (qāṭān) typically conveys the idea of being small, insignificant, or the least—not merely in terms of age, but often in status or perceived value. While it may still reflect David’s youth, the emphasis is more nuanced, especially when considered alongside the earlier verses where Samuel is initially impressed by the height and stature of Jesse’s other sons—traits the Lord explicitly dismisses as criteria for kingship. This underscores the divine principle that God does not look on the outward appearance, but on the heart.
Regardless of whether the term refers to David’s age or stature, he now stands before Samuel as the unmistakable choice of God to be Israel’s next king. The moment the oil is poured from the horn and David is anointed, Scripture declares that “the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward” (1 Sam. 16:13). Immediately following this, the narrative shifts, revealing that “the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul,” and an evil spirit begins to trouble him (v. 14).
The moment the Spirit of the Lord departs from Saul, unsettling and deeply troubling events begin to unfold. Scripture tells us that an “evil spirit from the LORD” comes upon him—a reality not to be taken lightly. This is not mere psychological distress or emotional instability. The text makes it clear: the troubling spirit is divinely permitted—indeed, sent by God Himself. And this phenomenon is not unique to Saul. Other passages in Scripture demonstrate that God, in particular judgments, allows or dispatches such spirits to accomplish His purposes (Judges 9:23; I Kings 22:20-23).
We are not told precisely what came over Saul, but it quickly became obvious to those around him that something was wrong. Perhaps he experienced violent mood swings, episodes of rage, or even bouts of madness. Whatever the exact nature of his affliction, his servants recognized the seriousness of the situation and decided to take action. Unbeknownst to them, their response would set into motion a divine sequence of events—carefully orchestrated by God—that would alter the course of David’s life and reshape the destiny of Israel itself.
1 Samuel 16:16–17 (KJV) — 16 Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well. 17 And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.
There is an old proverb that says, “Music hath charms to soothe the savage beast.” In Saul’s case, this truth will be vividly demonstrated. Even the prophet Elijah, when preparing to hear the word of the Lord, understood the spiritual potency of music—requesting that a minstrel play before him, and only then did the hand of the Lord come upon him (2 Kings 3:15).
Likewise, Saul agrees with his servants’ counsel to find a skilled harpist and commands them to search for such a musician. This moment reveals something significant: Saul is aware of his condition. He recognizes the disturbing influence that has come upon him and consents to a remedy. The music request is not a random idea—it is a desperate attempt to find relief from a torment that he and his household know is more than natural.
1 Samuel 16:18 (KJV) — 18 Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him.
Now, here is where the narrative presents a conundrum—one that challenges the traditional image of David as a young, inexperienced teenager confronting Goliath for the first time. Up to this point in the story, all we know of David is that he is a shepherd, faithfully tending his father’s flocks. Yet in 1 Samuel 16:18, before any mention of Goliath, any record of battle, or even a formal appearance in Saul’s court, David is described by one of Saul’s servants as “a mighty valiant man, and a man of war.” How can this be? How can such a title be attributed to someone who has, as far as the narrative tells us, lived in pastoral obscurity?
Some have surmised that by this point, David had already earned a reputation as a man of great prowess in battle, perhaps even as a recognized leader or rising military figure. But this interpretation seems at odds with the narrative’s earlier presentation. Our first introduction to David is not as a warrior, but as a shepherd, quietly tending his father’s flocks. And yet, as he stands before his brothers, the prophet anoints him, and from that moment forward, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon him. Simultaneously, the Spirit departs from Saul.
This moment marks more than a change in leadership; it mirrors a recurring pattern in Scripture, where ordinary men, some even timid or obscure, are transformed by the Spirit of the Lord to perform extraordinary feats. Like Othniel, Gideon, or Samson, David’s strength and reputation are not rooted in personal greatness but in divine empowerment (Judges 3:9-10; 6:34; 14:5-6, 19).
Although there are only a few examples listed above, these instances throughout Scripture, where the Spirit of the Lord comes upon seemingly insignificant or unlikely individuals, reveal something profound about the nature of the God we serve. He delights in using the least to accomplish the greatest, not by their strength, but by His Spirit.
So, when Scripture tells us that “the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward” (1 Sam. 16:13), we must recognize that this was the source of his authority, courage, and power. Without the Spirit, David could not have overcome the lion and the bear—feats he later references not as personal triumphs, but as proof of the Lord’s enabling presence.
And yet, while David is spiritually anointed, he is not fully formed. We catch a glimpse of his youthful zeal—and perhaps a measure of immaturity—through the sharp words of his eldest brother in chapter 17. This rebuke serves as a reminder that though David had the call, he still required a process of humility, shaping, and preparation before ascending to the throne. Anointing may come in a moment, but kingship is forged over time. We may glimpse another side to the story that suggests a sense of immaturity on David’s part, as evidenced by Eliab overhearing David later in the story, when Goliath is taunting him with chest-beating challenges.
1 Samuel 17:28 (KJV) — 28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.
There is apparent contempt in the voice of Eliab, David’s eldest brother, likely stemming from more than just irritation. In truth, Eliab may have harbored resentment, believing that he, not David, should have been the one chosen and anointed by Samuel. But ever since that anointing, something had unmistakably changed in David. Did David play a role in spreading the story of the Lion and the Bear following his anointing that occurred in the eyes of his brothers? How else could word have spread that David was “a mighty valiant man, and a man of war” (1 Sam. 16:18) if the events in the field had not been shared, perhaps by David himself?
Unlike Samson, who slew a lion by the Spirit’s power and kept the event hidden even from his parents (Judg. 14:6), David seems to have told the story. Whether driven by youthful pride or sheer amazement at what God had done, David likely testified to his triumph over both the lion and the bear. And honestly—who wouldn’t? Had I slain a lion and a bear with my bare hands under the anointing of the Spirit, I might have skinned them and displayed them as proof!
And so, when Saul called for a skilled harpist, one of his servants, likely familiar with the region, had already heard the stories circulating about a young man from Bethlehem. This young man was not only musically gifted, but also articulate, striking in appearance, and—most importantly—marked by the presence of God.
Many scholars have noted that the phrase “prudent in matters” (1 Sam. 16:18) can be translated more precisely as “eloquent in speech.” This suggests that David was not only a skilled harpist but also a compelling communicator, perhaps even a gifted singer and storyteller. One can easily imagine him composing ballads on his harp, recounting the miraculous defeat of the lion and the bear, stirring the hearts of villagers and warriors alike. These testimonies, sung with passion and shaped by divine empowerment, may have been what first caught the ears—and imaginations—of those in Saul’s court.
1 Samuel 16:19–23 (KJV) — 19 Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep. 20 And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul. 21 And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer. 22 And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight. 23 And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
It’s important to note that when Saul sends messengers to Jesse requesting David’s service, David is still tending the sheep. He has not yet become a military leader, an armorbearer, or a public figure—he remains, in function and identity, a shepherd.
Verse 23 is particularly profound. It tells us that when David played the harp, Saul was refreshed, made well, and the evil spirit departed from him. This was no mere emotional relief—it was a spiritual shift. Some ancient manuscripts and early commentators even suggest that the Spirit of the Lord, which was now upon David, in some sense rested upon Saul during these moments of music, bringing temporary relief, perhaps even a kind of spiritual revival.
These four verses, however, contribute to much of the confusion and debate surrounding the sequence of events in David’s early story. While they appear to describe David’s first introduction to Saul, we are also told that Saul quickly grows to love David and appoints him as his armor-bearer. The difficulty lies in determining whether these verses present a strict chronological sequence or if they summarize a broader process that unfolded over time.
The text leaves room for ambiguity, raising the possibility that other encounters or developments occurred between David’s musical service and his eventual elevation within Saul’s court. This ambiguity is part of what fuels scholarly disagreement and complicates attempts to reconstruct a seamless timeline.
Based on the narrative flow in 1 Samuel 16, the following sequence of events unfolds:
- David is anointed king of Israel.
- The Spirit of the Lord comes upon David.
- The Spirit of the Lord departs from Saul.
- An evil spirit begins to torment Saul.
- David is sought out to play for Saul.
- David comes and plays the harp.
- Saul grows to love David.
- Saul appoints David as his armor-bearer.
Taken at face value, this sequence suggests a rapidly developing and intimate relationship between Saul and David. Saul’s affection for David, his request for David to remain in his court, and the statement that David should “stand before me” (1 Sam. 16:22) all imply a deepening connection. If interpreted as a continuous and chronological progression, this would seem to set the stage for what follows in chapter 18, where David is permanently retained in Saul’s service and forms a close bond with Jonathan.
1 Samuel 18:1–2 (KJV) — 1 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father’s house.
The problem arises in chapter 17, which recounts the incredible and iconic story of David’s confrontation with Goliath. We all know the story: Goliath, the towering giant, issues a challenge that strikes terror into the hearts of Israel. The entire nation is gripped by fear, and no man dares to stand before him and meet the challenge.
1 Samuel 17:12–14 (KJV) — 12 Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Beth-lehem-judah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul. 13 And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. 14 And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul.
Reading 1 Samuel 17 without the context of chapter 16, one might assume this is our first introduction to David. The narrative repeats several details already disclosed: David is the son of Jesse, a respected and wealthy man from Bethlehem. We are reminded that David has seven brothers, and the three eldest—Eliab, Abinadab, and Shammah—are now serving in Saul’s army. This detail is striking, given that these identical brothers witnessed David’s anointing as king in chapter 16. They were firsthand witnesses to Samuel’s prophetic act and the Spirit of the Lord coming upon David. And yet, despite knowing Saul’s rejection and David’s divine appointment, they have still aligned themselves with Saul’s faltering regime.
Then we come to a verse that offers a crucial key, one that helps unlock the puzzle and reconcile the apparent narrative tension.
1 Samuel 17:15 (KJV) — 15 But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Beth-lehem.
Suppose David had already been serving as Saul’s armor-bearer—having been formally requested by Saul to “stand before him” (1 Sam. 16:22)—we would not expect to read in chapter 17 that David had returned home to tend his father’s sheep (1 Sam. 17:15). In military context, one does not send away his armor-bearer in the midst of looming conflict, especially after formally requesting his continual presence in the royal court.
This suggests that the closing verses of chapter 16 are likely a narrative summary rather than a detailed chronology. I submit that, at this stage, David had only played for Saul intermittently, perhaps being summoned on occasion when the evil spirit came upon the king. Scripture records only two such episodes, leaving open the possibility that David had not yet formed a close relationship with Saul. He was still a shepherd, moving between the pasture and the palace, not yet fully installed in the royal household.
1 Samuel 17:16–19 (KJV) — 16 And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days. 17 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren; 18 And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge. 19 Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.
So while David is once again at home, tending to his responsibilities, Saul appears to be in a stable state of mind. At this point, there is no mention of the evil spirit troubling him. With the king not calling for David, Jesse seizes the opportunity to send his youngest son to the battlefield. He instructs David to check on his brothers’ well-being and deliver provisions—some food for them, and gifts for their commanding officers. David, accompanied by a carriage driver, sets out to fulfill this humble but significant errand.
One particularly interesting detail in this account is that the Israelites were already engaged in battle with the Philistines in the Valley of Elah. Scripture reveals that for forty days and forty nights, the two armies had been involved in ongoing minor skirmishes. Yet each morning and evening, Goliath emerged to issue his challenge, calling for single combat to determine the outcome of the war.
This practice was not uncommon in ancient warfare. Often, each side would select a champion to fight on behalf of the nation, with the understanding that the victor’s side would win the entire conflict. However, this ritualized challenge did not preclude ongoing combat activity. The broader battle was still taking place in the background, even as the standoff with Goliath dominated the psychological and strategic landscape. While it’s possible Goliath participated in these skirmishes, the text suggests otherwise, portraying him not as an active combatant in the general fighting, but as a towering figure set apart, waiting for a worthy opponent to accept his challenge.
1 Samuel 17:20–21 (KJV) — 20 And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle. 21 For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.
David finally arrives at the trench—or rampart—of the Israelite encampment. As he draws near, a trumpet blast or battle cry sounds across the field, signaling the onset of yet another skirmish. The Israelites begin to rally, forming ranks and preparing to engage the Philistines. Scripture notes that “Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array,” meaning the two armies were once again positioned for confrontation—lined up, army against army, in yet another clash of fear and fatigue.
1 Samuel 17:22–23 (KJV) — 22 And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren. 23 And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.
As the army readies itself for battle, David arrives early in the morning and begins speaking with his brothers. It is in this moment that Goliath once again emerges from the ranks of the Philistines. With thunderous defiance, he issues his familiar challenge: a call for single combat that would bring immediate resolution to the conflict. If any man of Israel could defeat him, the Philistines would surrender; the cycle of skirmishes and the drain of prolonged warfare would come to an end.
This is David’s first time hearing the giant’s words. What strikes him even more than the arrogance of Goliath is the response of Israel’s army. Fear spreads like a contagion. Even those who had assembled for battle began to shrink back. Men who had answered the trumpet now turn and flee—none willing to be singled out, none bold enough to face the champion of Gath.
1 Samuel 17:25–30 (KJV) — 25 And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father’s house free in Israel. 26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? 27 And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him. 28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. 29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause? 30 And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.
For the first time since Goliath began issuing his challenge, someone steps forward who is not paralyzed by fear. David, undeterred and full of conviction, begins to inquire—publicly and without hesitation—about the reward for the man who dares to slay this giant. The answer is striking:
- The king’s daughter in marriage
- Great riches
- Exemption for his father’s house from taxes and tribute
It’s not difficult to see why this would appeal to David, especially the offer of marrying into the royal family. Though freshly anointed and still processing what it means to be chosen as Israel’s next king, David may well have seen this as a providential opportunity. Could this be a path toward the throne? A door opened by obedience and courage.
But David’s interest is not purely personal. Without fear or hesitation, he begins to speak of Goliath—not with awe, but with scorn. To David, this uncircumcised Philistine is no threat, for he stands in defiance not merely of Israel, but of the living God. And so, David presents both the problem and the cause: Who will stand and fight this man who has dared to defy the armies of the Lord?
Saul is desperate. The stalemate with the Philistines has dragged on for weeks, forty days too long. It is cutting into the critical agricultural season, pulling men away from their fields and families. Morale is crumbling. Fear has taken root in the hearts of Israel’s soldiers, and no one has dared to answer Goliath’s challenge. Then, word reaches Saul: someone is willing to fight—a volunteer, young, bold, and unafraid. Without hesitation, Saul sends for David. Desperation leaves no room for delay.
1 Samuel 17:31–39 (KJV) — 31 And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him. 32 And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. 33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.
At this point in the narrative, it’s essential to recognize that Saul still does not fully understand who David is. Though David has discreetly served him during moments of spiritual torment, his appearances have been limited, and no deep personal bond has yet formed. Saul sees only a youthful figure stepping forward with unshaken confidence—and he is incredulous. “You can’t fight Goliath,” he insists. And why? Because David is only a youth.
The Hebrew word used here for “youth” (naʿar) is rich with nuance. It appears 76 times as “young man,” 54 as “servant,” 44 as “child,” 33 as “lad,” and even once as “babe.” Lexicons such as the NASB Hebrew Dictionary and the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament define it broadly as “boy, youth, or servant,” often referring to someone in the early and formative stages of life, still in the process of becoming.
Saul’s reasoning is rooted in this contrast: David is still in the developmental stage of life, while Goliath has been seasoned in warfare since his youth. In Saul’s eyes, David is no match, not just in size or strength, but in experience. Goliath has known nothing but battle. He is a warrior by identity, forged in the fires of combat from an early age.
David begins to recount what happened while tending his father’s sheep—the lion, the bear, and his miraculous deliverance. For those who had already heard the stories and perhaps even seen the evidence, this would have only confirmed what they believed: David was capable. It’s possible that men standing nearby affirmed his testimony to Saul, saying, “He’s telling the truth.” Convinced—or at least hopeful—Saul agrees to let David face Goliath. But not before making a final attempt to equip him in the conventional manner of warfare, outfitting him with royal armor and weaponry.
The rest is history, and what glory! The champion lies slain, and the Philistines—shocked and leaderless—turn in panic and flee. With renewed courage, the soldiers of Israel rise up, pursue the retreating enemy, and begin to plunder the abandoned tents of the defeated army.
1 Samuel 17:54 (KJV) — 54 And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent.
This verse briefly skips ahead in the narrative, informing us what David did with Goliath’s head and where he brought it, along with what became of the giant’s armor. The following verse brings us back into the “present” (if we can say that).
1 Samuel 17:55–56 (KJV) — 55 And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell. 56 And the king said, Inquire thou whose son the stripling is.
Notice again the way David is described. Earlier, he was referred to as a youth (naʿar), but here Saul refers to him as a stripling—a different Hebrew term that adds nuance to his identity. The word used, ʿelem, is a masculine noun meaning a young man, but it carries a particular emphasis on sexual maturity. According to The Complete Word Study Dictionary, it denotes someone who has passed through puberty and is considered of marriageable age. In other words, David is now seen not merely as a boy, but as one crossing the threshold into manhood. This subtle shift in language reflects not just Saul’s curiosity, but also the recognition of David’s coming-of-age moment, now no longer hidden in the fields but standing victorious on the battlefield.
Before David returns to Saul, still holding Goliath’s severed head—likely anticipating the promised rewards of riches, tax exemption for his family, and marriage into the royal household—Abner has been unable to determine who David’s father is. Thus, Saul poses the question directly to David. Knowing his lineage is not a mere formality; it is essential if Saul is to honor his promise and formally bring David into the royal court.
1 Samuel 17:57–58 (KJV) — 57 And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. 58 And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Beth-lehemite.
At this point, we are effectively brought back to the concluding verses of chapter 16. With the events of chapter 17 now understood as the narrative bridge—the catalytic moment that revealed David’s calling publicly—everything falls into place. David’s triumph over Goliath becomes the key that secures his permanent position in Saul’s court and deepens the bond that would eventually lead him to serve as Saul’s armor-bearer.
1 Samuel 16:21–22 (KJV) — 21 And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer. 22 And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.
1 Samuel 18:1-2 (KJV) And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father’s house.
1 Samuel 18:3-5 (KJV) – 3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. 4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle. 5 And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.
The next portion of the narrative shows David being elevated to a position of service before the king, eventually as his armor-bearer. However, the chronological sequence is not strictly maintained once again. The text now shifts to David’s return, still carrying the head of Goliath, as he makes his way to Jerusalem.
1 Samuel 18:6–13 (KJV) — 6 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. 7 And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands. 8 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? 9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward. 10 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand. 11 And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice. 12 And Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, and was departed from Saul. 13 Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.
Now, one can move on with the story.
