1 Samuel 18:5

5 David went out wherever Sha'ul sent him, [and] behaved himself wisely: and Sha'ul set him over the men of war, and it was good in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Sha'ul's servants.

1 Samuel 18:5 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 18:5

And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him
About any business whatsoever, especially about martial affairs, for which he was abundantly qualified:

[and] behaved himself wisely;
in the management of them, using great prudence and discretion, and so failed not of success, and of recommending himself; the Targum renders it "prospering"; he was prosperous and successful in whatsoever he engaged, for the Lord was with him, and blessed him:

and Saul set him over the men of war;
that is, of some of them, gave him the command of a troop; for Abner was captain or general of the army, and continued so:

and he was accepted in the sight of all the people;
of all the people in the land in general, of all that knew or heard of him; being looked upon as a wise, valiant, and successful commander, and which gained him the esteem and affection of the people:

and also in the sight of Saul's servants;
which was very much, and a rare thing, for servants are too apt to envy such as are rising in their credit and reputation; though this must not be understood of all, without exception; but of the generality of them; nor is the word "all" used of them, as is of the people; for some of them took the part of Saul afterwards against David, and were secretly his enemies, see ( 1 Samuel 18:22-26 ) .

1 Samuel 18:5 In-Context

3 Then Yonatan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
4 Yonatan stripped himself of the robe that was on him, and gave it to David, and his clothing, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his sash.
5 David went out wherever Sha'ul sent him, [and] behaved himself wisely: and Sha'ul set him over the men of war, and it was good in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Sha'ul's servants.
6 It happened as they came, when David returned from the slaughter of the Pelishti, that the women came out of all the cities of Yisra'el, singing and dancing, to meet king Sha'ul, with timbrels, with joy, and with instruments of music.
7 The women sang one to another as they played, and said, Sha'ul has slain his thousands, David his ten thousands.
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.