1 Samuel 18:16

16 But all Yisra'el and Yehudah loved David; for he went out and came in 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 David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.

15 When Sha'ul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he stood in awe of him.

16 But all Yisra'el and Yehudah loved David; for he went out and came in before them.

17 Sha'ul said to David, Behold, my elder daughter Merav, her will I give you as wife: only be valiant for me, and fight the LORD's battles. For Sha'ul said, Don't let my hand be on him, but let the hand of the Pelishtim be on him.

18 David said to Sha'ul, Who am I, and what is my life, [or] my father's family in Yisra'el, that I should be son-in-law to the king?