1 Samuel 18:13
ESV
So Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand. And he went out and came in before the people.
NIV
So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns.
NASB
So Saul removed him from his presence and appointed him as his commander of a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.
CSB
Therefore, Saul sent David away from him and made him commander over a thousand men. David led the troops
NLT
Finally, Saul sent him away and appointed him commander over 1,000 men, and David faithfully led his troops into battle.
KJV
Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.
NKJV
Therefore Saul removed him from his presence, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.
What does 1 Samuel 18:13 mean?
King Saul fears David. He seems to assume that David is plotting to take the kingdom away. Yet David wouldn't dare challenge the Lord's anointed (1 Samuel 24:7–15). David has no intention of taking the throne from Saul, but God does (1 Samuel 15:26–28). Saul knows that the Lord has left him. He can see that God's Spirit is now with the young man who cannot seem to lose, either in battle or in the hearts and minds of the Israelites (1 Samuel 18:12).Despite proving himself as a mighty warrior, David has resumed his place playing music for Saul's tormented mind (1 Samuel 16:14–23; 18:10). Saul's madness has already led him to try to kill David. But David escaped, proving even more that he is blessed by God (1 Samuel 18:10–11).
Saul decides that he can no longer stand to be in the same room with David. Saul sends David away by making him the commander of "a thousand." This is from the Hebrew word 'eleph, which can represent the number "one thousand," but is also applied to a clan or division. The second meaning seems likely here. David goes back and forth between battle victories and Gibeah, returning each time in the full view of the public. Continued celebration of David's success in battle made him even more admired and Saul more fearful and jealous (1 Samuel 18:15).
