Saul had not hitherto fulfilled the promise of which David had heard (marginal reference); nor was it unnatural that Saul should delay to do so, until the shepherd’s boy had risen to a higher rank.
Related Commentaries of 1 Samuel 18:17
1 Samuel 18:17
17 And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiantc for me, and fight the LORD'S battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.