1 Samuel 18:22
ESV
And Saul commanded his servants, "Speak to David in private and say, ‘Behold, the king has delight in you, and all his servants love you. Now then become the king 's son-in-law.’"
NIV
Then Saul ordered his attendants: "Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’ "
NASB
Then Saul commanded his servants, 'Speak to David in secret, saying, ‘Behold, the king delights in you, and all his servants love you; now then, become the king’s son-in-law.’?'
CSB
Saul then ordered his servants, "Speak to David in private and tell him, ‘Look, the king is pleased with you, and all his servants love you. Therefore, you should become the king’s son-in-law.’"
NLT
Then Saul told his men to say to David, 'The king really likes you, and so do we. Why don’t you accept the king’s offer and become his son-in-law?'
KJV
And Saul commanded his servants, saying, Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the king's son in law.
NKJV
And Saul commanded his servants, “Communicate with David secretly, and say, ‘Look, the king has delight in you, and all his servants love you. Now therefore, become the king’s son-in-law.’ ”
What does 1 Samuel 18:22 mean?
Saul wants David to marry his daughter Michal so he can order David to fight the Philistines. Saul hopes David will die in one of these battles. Saul tried this before, with Michal's older sister, but was thwarted when David insisted his family wasn't worthy of being related to the king. This time, Saul is more cunning (1 Samuel 18:17–21).First, unlike Saul's older daughter, Michal sincerely loves David (1 Samuel 18:20). Second, Saul tells his servants to convince David that they and the king approved of the match. But even this two-pronged attack can't get through David's humility. David insists he is too poor and has no reputation. He can't offer the large price a princess would normally command from a husband.
Saul realizes this works in his favor. He tells David he will earn the right to marry Michal if he kills one hundred Philistines (1 Samuel 18:25). With David's energy focused on such a specific goal, rather than simply winning battles, it's more likely he will die before the wedding. Much to Saul's dismay, David and his men kill not one hundred but two hundred of the enemy (1 Samuel 18:27). Even worse, David's still not dead.
