1 Samuel 18:15
ESV
And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him.
NIV
When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him.
NASB
When Saul saw that he was very successful, he was afraid of him.
CSB
When Saul observed that David was very successful, he dreaded him.
NLT
When Saul recognized this, he became even more afraid of him.
KJV
Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.
NKJV
Therefore, when Saul saw that he behaved very wisely, he was afraid of him.
What does 1 Samuel 18:15 mean?
King Saul of Israel is struggling to hold himself together. The prophet Samuel announced that God had rejected Saul as king because of his rebellion. The Lord had already chosen another to take his place on the throne (1 Samuel 15:23–28). Even worse, it's become obvious to Saul that the Lord left him, ending his run of great success, and is now with David (1 Samuel 15:12). It seems obvious, to Saul, that David is the one meant to take his place.Saul's primary response to David's rise has been fear. Saul is so afraid of the people's love of David that he sent David away from serving on his staff to lead a military division against the Philistines (1 Samuel 15:13). Saul likely hopes David will be killed in battle or, at least, fail to win a victory and lose some of his popularity (1 Samuel 18:17).
This plan has now backfired. David succeeds in everything he attempts as a fighter and military leader, only increasing the people's love and respect for him (1 Samuel 18:13–14). Now Saul is said to be in "dread" or "fearful awe" of David. Saul's jealousy of God's choice for Israel only magnifies his fear and resentment of David.
