1 Samuel 18:16

16 And all Israel and Judah loved David; for he went in and out before them.

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 David did wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him;

15 and so Saul saw that David was full prudent/was full wise, and he began to beware of David.

16 And all Israel and Judah loved David; for he went in and out before them.

17 And Saul said to David, Lo! mine elder daughter Merab, I shall give her (for a) wife to thee; only be thou a strong man, and fight thou the Lord's battles. Forsooth Saul areckoned, and said, Mine hand be not in him, but the hand of Philistines be on him (But Saul reckoned, and said to himself, My hand shall not be upon him, but the hands of the Philistines shall be upon him).

18 And David said to Saul, Who am I, either what is my life, either (what is) the family of my father in Israel, that I (should) be made the son-in-law of the king?