1 Samuel 18:16
ESV
But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them.
NIV
But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.
NASB
But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he would go out to battle and return before them.
CSB
But all Israel and Judah loved David because he was leading their troops.
NLT
But all Israel and Judah loved David because he was so successful at leading his troops into battle.
KJV
But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.
NKJV
But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.
What does 1 Samuel 18:16 mean?
After David, the shepherd boy, defeated Goliath (1 Samuel 17:50), Saul brought him back to his court in Gibeah. As the army parade marched down the streets, women sang in a way that honored David much more than it honored Saul. Saul became enraged, realizing David may be the man Samuel said would take the throne (1 Samuel 15:23–28).When Saul's attempts to directly kill David fail (1 Samuel 18:10–11), Saul tries to use the Philistines to destroy his rival. The plan backfires. David wins every battle, and every victory parade gives the people the chance to admire and love him even more.
When David survives the minor skirmishes, Saul uses his daughters as bait. He promises David his daughter's hand if David can kill one hundred Philistines. Saul hopes the Philistines will kill David, but even this plan fails; David brings back proof he's killed two hundred (1 Samuel 18:17–30).
It's notable that the people of both Israel and Judah loved David. David was from the tribe of Judah, so it makes sense they would be rooting for him, but the entire nation loved David. It's also worth noting that Israel in the north and Judah in the south were already thought of as distinct populations long before they were divided by civil war.
