1 Samuel 18:26
ESV
And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king 's son-in-law. Before the time had expired,
NIV
When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed,
NASB
When his servants told David these words, it pleased David to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the time had expired,
CSB
When the servants reported these terms to David, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. Before the wedding day arrived,
NLT
David was delighted to accept the offer. Before the time limit expired,
KJV
And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king's son in law: and the days were not expired.
NKJV
So when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to become the king’s son-in-law. Now the days had not expired;
What does 1 Samuel 18:26 mean?
King Saul knows that God intends David to replace him as king (1 Samuel 15:28; 18:7–8). This will destroy the dynasty Saul has just barely begun. Saul's plan is to let the Philistines kill David in battle. But when David killed Goliath, he earned the right for his family to be exempt from forced service to the king (1 Samuel 17:25). Saul probably can't force David to fight. But he can if David marries Saul's daughter, and David becomes part of the royal family.So, Saul offered his older daughter, Merab, to David. David insisted that his family didn't have the honor to be related to the king. Saul tried again with his younger daughter, Michal. This time, Saul made sure David knew he and his servants wanted the match. David still refused, saying he, himself, had neither money nor reputation (1 Samuel 18:17–23).
Saul produces a third plan. He tells David he can earn a reputation and pay off the bride price by killing one hundred Philistines and bringing back their foreskins. That way, Saul thinks, David will be killed before the wedding even happens. (1 Samuel 18:25). This grisly request would ensure that David was killing enemy fighters, leaving no reasonable way to fake the evidence.
David agrees. But to Saul's dismay, David survives and returns with double the required price. Saul now knows that God is with David, that his daughter loves David, and that he has truly little control. That makes him fear David even more (1 Samuel 18:27–29).
