1 Samuel 18:17

English Standard Version

17 Then Saul said to David, “Here is my elder daughter Merab. I will give her to you for a wife. Only be valiant for me and fight the Lord’s battles.” For Saul thought, “Let not my hand be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him.” (1Sa 14:49; 1Sa 17:25; 1Sa 18:21; 1Sa 18:25; 1Sa 25:28)

New International Version

17 Saul said to David, ‘Here is my elder daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the Lord.’ For Saul said to himself, ‘I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!’

New International Reader’s Version

17 Saul said to David, ‘Here is my elder daughter Merab. I’ll give her to you to be your wife. Just serve me bravely and fight the LORD’s battles.’ Saul said to himself, ‘I won’t have to lift my hand to strike him down. The Philistines will do that!’

King James Version

17 And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD' battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.