Saul said to David, Behold, my elder daughter Merab, her will I give you as wife: only be valiant for me, and fight Yahweh's battles. For Saul said, Don't let my hand be on him, but let the hand of the Philistines be on him.
David’s behavior and wisdom in battle, guided and provided by God’s Spirit, caused him to become increasingly effective and appreciated in Israel (1 Samuel 18:30). David had regarded himself as lightly esteemed (1 Samuel 18:23), but God made him highly esteemed (1 Samuel 18:30; cf. 1 Samuel 9:2).