1 Samuel 18:18
ESV
And David said to Saul, "Who am I, and who are my relatives, my father 's clan in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?"
NIV
But David said to Saul, "Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law?"
NASB
But David said to Saul, 'Who am I, and who is my family, or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be the king’s son-in-law?'
CSB
Then David responded, "Who am I, and what is my family or my father’s clan in Israel that I should become the king’s son-in-law?"
NLT
Who am I, and what is my family in Israel that I should be the king’s son-in-law?' David exclaimed. 'My father’s family is nothing!'
KJV
And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?
NKJV
So David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my life or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?”
What does 1 Samuel 18:18 mean?
Saul had promised that whoever killed Goliath would marry one of the king's daughters. But that reward also came with freedom from service to the king for the entire family. (1 Samuel 17:25). Because of David's growing popularity, Saul wants him dead, and he wants the Philistines to do the killing. But it's not clear if Saul can force David to fight. To get David back under the umbrella of Saul's authority, he offers David the hand of his daughter Merab. If David becomes a member of the royal family, Saul can control him.For the first of many times, David thwarts Saul's plan not by cunning or intelligence but through simple, humble dedication to God. David can't imagine marrying into the king's family. He and his father's clan don't have nearly enough status or wealth for such a marriage to make sense.
Saul should be comforted by David's response. If David is truly plotting to take the throne, he would jump at the chance to elevate his status in Israel. Although the crown is understood to pass to the king's sons, being the royal son-in-law would bring David one step closer to being able to justify a coup when the time came. Instead, David defers as an unworthy candidate. He is the king's servant, and that position is honor enough.
