1 Samuel 18:30
ESV
Then the commanders of the Philistines came out to battle, and as often as they came out David had more success than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly esteemed.
NIV
The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known.
NASB
Then the commanders of the Philistines went to battle, and it happened as often as they went out, that David was more successful than all the servants of Saul. So his name was held in high esteem.
CSB
Every time the Philistine commanders came out to fight, David was more successful than all of Saul’s officers. So his name became well known.
NLT
Every time the commanders of the Philistines attacked, David was more successful against them than all the rest of Saul’s officers. So David’s name became very famous.
KJV
Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.
NKJV
Then the princes of the Philistines went out to war. And so it was, whenever they went out, that David behaved more wisely than all the servants of Saul, so that his name became highly esteemed.
What does 1 Samuel 18:30 mean?
The chapter ends with a summary statement about David's ongoing success leading Israel's warriors the battle against the Philistines. David accomplishes more victories over the Philistines than any other leaders among the fighting forces. The people of Israel increasingly respect the young man for his leadership and fighting skills.It's not an accident that David is mentioned as one of Saul's "servants." His victories over the Philistines are Saul's victories. David's success is Saul's success. David serves under the rule of his human king, despite that king's paranoia. Saul should be thrilled with all that David accomplishes, even if it steals some of the glory from himself. But Saul can only manage to fear his inevitable replacement (1 Samuel 15:28; 16:13).
Saul despises David because David has taken the heart of Saul's people (1 Samuel 18:7). Soon, he will realize David has also won the loyalty of Saul's daughter and his heir (1 Samuel 19). The king can't see that David's heart belongs only to the Lord. David's loyalty is to Saul as long as Saul lives (1 Samuel 24:10).
