1 Samuel 18:23
ESV
And Saul 's servants spoke those words in the ears of David. And David said, "Does it seem to you a little thing to become the king 's son-in-law, since I am a poor man and have no reputation?"
NIV
They repeated these words to David. But David said, "Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known."
NASB
So Saul’s servants spoke these words to David. But David said, 'Is it trivial in your sight to become the king’s son-in-law, since I am only a poor man and insignificant?'
CSB
Saul’s servants reported these words directly to David, but he replied, "Is it trivial in your sight to become the king’s son-in-law? I am a poor commoner."
NLT
When Saul’s men said these things to David, he replied, 'How can a poor man from a humble family afford the bride price for the daughter of a king?'
KJV
And Saul's servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king's son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?
NKJV
So Saul’s servants spoke those words in the hearing of David. And David said, “Does it seem to you a light thing to be a king’s son-in-law, seeing I am a poor and lightly esteemed man?”
What does 1 Samuel 18:23 mean?
King Saul has a twisted plan. If David marries one of his daughters, he can force David into battles to be killed by the Philistines. But David's immediate reaction to Saul's second offer to marry a princess is the same as his first. David has such respect for the king of Israel that he feels unworthy to marry into the royal family (1 Samuel 18:17–18).The first time, David emphasized that his family and his father's clan were not important enough to be joined to royalty. This time, the response is more personal. He is the eighth son of his family rather than the first. He grew up herding sheep and wasn't even invited to join when an important guest came to visit the family (1 Samuel 16:1–11). He has no real money of his own and—in his mind (1 Samuel 18:7)—no reputation as a man of character.
David also doesn't believe that he, himself, has proven his worth as a man. David's humility is both inspiring and puzzling. He killed Goliath when no professional soldier would answer the giant's challenge. But because he did it for God's honor and with God's strength, he sees it as no credit to himself (1 Samuel 17). King Saul's son, Jonathan, and daughter Michal love him, as do all of Israel and Judah. Still, David refuses to see himself as worthy of being the king's son-in-law.
Saul realizes this works to his advantage. Maybe he can use David's humility to get him killed before the wedding can even take place (1 Samuel 18:25).
