David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armor bearer.
Initially Saul loved David greatly, as Jonathan did (cf. 1 Samuel 18:1; 1 Samuel 18:3; 1 Samuel 20:17). However, Saul’s attitude would change. The king appointed an armor-bearer to that position because of his courage, his ability to handle weapons, and his ability to get along with the king. David was probably a teenager at this time since he was 30 when he began to reign (2 Samuel 5:4). He was not Saul’s bodyguard. He just helped the king handle his armor. Whatever kind of spirit afflicted Saul, David’s sweet music reduced its ill effects. Saul was becoming dependent on the one who would replace him.