Saul, however, did not long remain friendly to David. When Saul and David were returning from battle with the Philistines, "the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music." One company sang, "Saul hath slain his thousands," while another company took up the strain, and responded, "And David his ten thousands." The demon of jealousy entered the heart of the king. He was angry because David was exalted above himself in the song of the women of Israel. In place of subduing these envious feelings, he displayed the weakness of his character, and exclaimed. "They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?"

Sauls venlige holdning over for David blev kun af kort varighed. Da Saul og David vendte hjem fra slaget med filisterne, "gik kvinderne fra alle Israels byer Saul imøde med sang og dans, med håndpauker, jubel og cymbler". Een gruppe sang; "Saul slog sine tusinder," mens en anden gruppe stemte i med svaret: "Men David sine titusinder!" Skinsygens djævel for ind i kongens hjerte. Han blev vred over, at Israels kvinder ærede David mere end ham selv i deres sang. I stedet for at bekæmpe sin misundelse viste han sin karaktersvaghed ved at udbryde: "David giver de titusinder, og mig giver de tusinder; nu mangler han kun kongemagten!"