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1 Samuel 18:7-17

Listen to 1 Samuel 18:7-17
7 And the women 1sang to one another as they celebrated, 2“Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands. ”
8 And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but 3the kingdom? ”
9 And Saul eyed David from that day on.
10 The next day 4a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and 5he raved within his house while David was 6playing the lyre, as he did day by day. 7Saul had his spear in his hand.
11 And Saul 8hurled the spear, for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall. ” But David evaded him twice.
12 9Saul was afraid of David because 10the Lord was with him 11but had departed from Saul.
13 So Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand. 12And he went out and came in before the people.
14 And David 13had success in all his undertakings, 14for the Lord was with him.
15 And when Saul saw that 15he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him.
16 16But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them.

David Marries Michal

17 Then Saul said to David, “Here is 17my elder daughter Merab. 18I will give her to you for a wife. Only be valiant for me 19and fight the Lord’s battles. ” For Saul thought, “Let not my hand be against him, 20but let the hand of the Philistines be against him. ”

1 Samuel 18:7-17 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 18

This chapter gives an account of the respect shown to David by Saul and Jonathan, by the servants of Saul, and all the people, and of what was said in his praise in the songs of the women, 1Sa 18:1-7; which latter gave Saul a great offence, and upon which he envied him, and eyed him, and indeed sought his life, and removed him from him; and yet still he continued the darling of the people, behaving wisely among them, which greatly embarrassed Saul, that be knew not what to do, 1Sa 18:8-16; he proposed his eldest daughter to him in marriage, which he had a claim to by killing the Philistine, and then he cheated him by giving her to another, 1Sa 18:17-19; and then he offered his youngest daughter to him, on condition that he would bring him an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, execution of which he thought his life would be exposed to danger, which yet he performed, 1Sa 18:20-27; and having the affection of his wife, and the good esteem of the servants of Saul, Saul was more afraid of him, and became his enemy, 1Sa 18:28-30.

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Cross References 20

  • 1. 18:7 [Ex. 15:21]
  • 2. 18:7 ch. 21:11; 29:5
  • 3. 18:8 ch. 15:28
  • 4. 18:10 ch. 16:14; [Judg. 9:23]
  • 5. 18:10 ch. 19:23, 24; [1 Kgs. 18:29; Acts 16:16]
  • 6. 18:10 See ch. 16:16
  • 7. 18:10 ch. 19:9
  • 8. 18:11 ch. 19:10; 20:33
  • 9. 18:12 ver. 15, 29
  • 10. 18:12 ver. 28; ch. 16:18
  • 11. 18:12 ch. 16:14; 28:15
  • 12. 18:13 ver. 16; [Num. 27:17; 2 Sam. 5:2]
  • 13. 18:14 ver. 5
  • 14. 18:14 [See ver. 12 above]
  • 15. 18:15 [See ver. 14 above]
  • 16. 18:16 [ver. 5]
  • 17. 18:17 ch. 14:49
  • 18. 18:17 ch. 17:25
  • 19. 18:17 ch. 25:28
  • 20. 18:17 ver. 21, 25
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025

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