1 Samuel 18:16

16 But all Israel and Judah loved David because he was leading their troops.

1 Samuel 18:16 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 18:16

And all Israel and Judah loved David
The verb is singular, and denotes that everyone of them loved him in all the tribes of Israel, as well as in Judah his own tribe; in such general esteem was he, and so much had he got the hearts and affections of the people:

because he went out and came in before them;
the people, as in ( 1 Samuel 18:13 ) ; so the Septuagint version, in which, according to the Vatican copy, the verses ( 1 Samuel 18:17-19 ) are wanting.

1 Samuel 18:16 In-Context

14 and continued to be successful in all his activities because the Lord was with him.

15 When Saul observed that David was very successful, he dreaded him.

16 But all Israel and Judah loved David because he was leading their troops.

17 Saul told David, "Here is my oldest daughter Merab. I'll give her to you as a wife, if you will be a warrior for me and fight the Lord's battles." But Saul was thinking, "My hand doesn't need to be against him; let the hand of the Philistines be against him."

18 Then David responded, "Who am I, and what is my family or my father's clan in Israel that I should become the king's son-in-law?"