1 Samuel chapter 18
English Standard Version
1As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father 's house. 3Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. 4And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. 5And David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him, so that Saul set him over the men of war. And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul 's servants.
6As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments. 7And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, "Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands."
8And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, "They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?" 9And Saul eyed David from that day on.
10The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand. 11And Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, "I will pin David to the wall." But David evaded him twice.
12Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul. 13So Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand. And he went out and came in before the people. 14And David had success in all his undertakings, for the Lord was with him. 15And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him. 16But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them.
17Then Saul said to David, "Here is my elder daughter Merab. I will give her to you for a wife. Only be valiant for me and fight the Lord 's battles." For Saul thought, "Let not my hand be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him." 18And 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?" 19But at the time when Merab, Saul 's daughter, should have been given to David, she was given to Adriel the Meholathite for a wife.
20Now Saul 's daughter Michal loved David. And they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. 21Saul thought, "Let me give her to him, that she may be a snare for him and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him." Therefore Saul said to David a second time, "You shall now be my son-in-law." 22And 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.’" 23And 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?" 24And the servants of Saul told him, "Thus and so did David speak." 25Then Saul said, "Thus shall you say to David, ‘The king desires no bride-price except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, that he may be avenged of the king 's enemies.’" Now Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. 26And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king 's son-in-law. Before the time had expired, 27David arose and went, along with his men, and killed two hundred of the Philistines. And David brought their foreskins, which were given in full number to the king, that he might become the king 's son-in-law. And Saul gave him his daughter Michal for a wife. 28But when Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that Michal, Saul 's daughter, loved him, 29Saul was even more afraid of David. So Saul was David 's enemy continually.
New International Version
1After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.
8Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. "They have credited David with tens of thousands," he thought, "but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?" 9And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David.
10The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11and he hurled it, saying to himself, "I’ll pin David to the wall." But David eluded him twice.
12Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had departed from Saul. 13So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14In everything he did he had great success, because the Lord was with him. 15When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.
18But 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?" 19So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah.
20Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21"I will give her to him," he thought, "so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him." So Saul said to David, "Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law."
24When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, 25Saul replied, "Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’ " Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines.
26When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage.
New American Standard Bible
1Now it came about, when he had finished speaking to Saul, that Jonathan committed himself to David, and Jonathan loved him as himself. 2And Saul took him that day and did not let him return to his father’s house. 3Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his military gear, including his sword, his bow, and his belt. 5And David went into battle wherever Saul sent him, and always achieved success; so Saul put him in charge of the men of war. And it was pleasing in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.
8Then Saul became very angry, for this lyric displeased him; and he said, 'They have given David credit for ten thousands, but to me they have given credit for only thousands! Now what more can he have but the kingdom?' 9And Saul eyed David with suspicion from that day on.
10Now it came about on the next day that an evil spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved in the midst of the house while David was playing the harp with his hand, as usual; and a spear was in Saul’s hand. 11Then Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, 'I will pin David to the wall.' But David escaped from his presence, twice.
12Now Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him but had left Saul. 13So Saul removed him from his presence and appointed him as his commander of a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people. 14David was successful in all his ways, for the Lord was with him. 15When Saul saw that he was very successful, he was afraid of him. 16But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he would go out to battle and return before them.
17Then Saul said to David, 'Here is my older daughter Merab; I will give her to you as a wife, only be a valiant man for me and fight the Lord’S battles.' For Saul thought, 'My hand shall not be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him.' 18But 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?' 19So it came about at the time that Merab, Saul’s daughter, was to be given to David, that she was given instead to Adriel the Meholathite as a wife.
20Now Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David. When they informed Saul, the thing was pleasing to him. 21For Saul thought, 'I will give her to him so that she may become a trap for him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.' Therefore Saul said to David, 'For a second time you may become my son-in-law, today.' 22Then 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.’?' 23So 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?' 24Then Saul’s servants reported to him, saying, 'These are the words David spoke.' 25Saul then said, 'This is what you shall say to David: ‘The king does not desire any dowry except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to take vengeance on the king’s enemies.’?' But Saul plotted to have David fall by the hand of the Philistines. 26When his servants told David these words, it pleased David to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the time had expired, 27David set out and went, he and his men, and fatally struck two hundred men among the Philistines. Then David brought their foreskins, and they presented all two hundred of them to the king, so that he might become the king’s son-in-law. And Saul gave him his daughter Michal as a wife. 28When Saul saw and realized that the Lord was with David, and that Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him, 29then Saul was even more afraid of David. So Saul was David’s enemy continually.
Christian Standard Bible
1When David had finished speaking with Saul, Jonathan was bound to David in close friendship, and loved him as much as he loved himself. 2Saul kept David with him from that day on and did not let him return to his father’s house.
3Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as much as himself. 4Then Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his military tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt.
8Saul was furious and resented this song. "They credited tens of thousands to David," he complained, "but they only credited me with thousands. What more can he have but the kingdom?" 9So Saul watched David jealously from that day forward.
10The next day an evil spirit sent from God came powerfully on Saul, and he began to rave inside the palace. David was playing the lyre as usual, but Saul was holding a spear, 11and he threw it, thinking, "I’ll pin David to the wall." But David got away from him twice.
12Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had left Saul. 13Therefore, Saul sent David away from him and made him commander over a thousand men. David led the troops 14and continued to be successful in all his activities because the Lord was with him. 15When Saul observed that David was very successful, he dreaded him. 16But all Israel and Judah loved David because he was leading their troops. 17Saul told David, "Here is my oldest daughter Merab. I’ll give her to you as a wife, if you will be a warrior for me and fight the Lord’s battles." But Saul was thinking, "I don’t need to raise a hand against him; let the hand of the Philistines be against him."
18Then 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?" 19When it was time to give Saul’s daughter Merab to David, she was given to Adriel the Meholathite as a wife.
20Now Saul’s daughter Michal loved David, and when it was reported to Saul, it pleased him. 21"I’ll give her to him," Saul thought. "She’ll be a trap for him, and the hand of the Philistines will be against him." So Saul said to David a second time, "You can now be my son-in-law."
26When the servants reported these terms to David, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. Before the wedding day arrived, 27David and his men went out and killed two hundred Philistines. He brought their foreskins and presented them as full payment to the king to become his son-in-law. Then Saul gave his daughter Michal to David as his wife. 28Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal loved him, 29and he became even more afraid of David. As a result, Saul was David’s enemy from then on.
New Living Translation
1After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David. 2From that day on Saul kept David with him and wouldn’t let him return home. 3And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. 4Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt.
8This made Saul very angry. 'What’s this?' he said. 'They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they’ll be making him their king!' 9So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.
10The very next day a tormenting spirit from God overwhelmed Saul, and he began to rave in his house like a madman. David was playing the harp, as he did each day. But Saul had a spear in his hand, 11and he suddenly hurled it at David, intending to pin him to the wall. But David escaped him twice.
12Saul was then afraid of David, for the Lord was with David and had turned away from Saul. 13Finally, Saul sent him away and appointed him commander over 1,000 men, and David faithfully led his troops into battle.
14David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the Lord was with him. 15When Saul recognized this, he became even more afraid of him. 16But all Israel and Judah loved David because he was so successful at leading his troops into battle.
18Who 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!' 19So when the time came for Saul to give his daughter Merab in marriage to David, he gave her instead to Adriel, a man from Meholah.
20In the meantime, Saul’s daughter Michal had fallen in love with David, and Saul was delighted when he heard about it. 21Here’s another chance to see him killed by the Philistines!' Saul said to himself. But to David he said, 'Today you have a second chance to become my son-in-law!'
24When Saul’s men reported this back to the king, 25he told them, 'Tell David that all I want for the bride price is 100 Philistine foreskins! Vengeance on my enemies is all I really want.' But what Saul had in mind was that David would be killed in the fight.
26David was delighted to accept the offer. Before the time limit expired, 27he and his men went out and killed 200 Philistines. Then David fulfilled the king’s requirement by presenting all their foreskins to him. So Saul gave his daughter Michal to David to be his wife.
King James Version
1And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house. 3Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. 4And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.
6And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. 7And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. 8And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? 9And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
10And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand. 11And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.
12And Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, and was departed from Saul. 13Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people. 14And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the Lord was with him. 15Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him. 16But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.
18And 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? 19But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul's daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife.
20And Michal Saul's daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. 21And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.
22And 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. 23And 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?
24And the servants of Saul told him, saying, On this manner spake David. 25And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.
26And 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. 27Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king's son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife.
28And Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him. 29And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually. 30Then 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.
New King James Version
1Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore. 3Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. 4And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt.
5So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and behaved wisely. And Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants. 6Now it had happened as they were coming home, when David was returning from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women had come out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments.
8Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” 9So Saul eyed David from that day forward.
10And it happened on the next day that the distressing spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied inside the house. So David played music with his hand, as at other times; but there was a spear in Saul’s hand. 11And Saul cast the spear, for he said, “I will pin David to the wall!” But David escaped his presence twice.
12Now Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, but had departed from Saul. 13Therefore Saul removed him from his presence, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people. 14And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him. 15Therefore, when Saul saw that he behaved very wisely, he was afraid of him. 16But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.
18So 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?” 19But it happened at the time when Merab, Saul’s daughter, should have been given to David, that she was given to Adriel the Meholathite as a wife.
20Now Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David. And they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. 21So Saul said, “I will give her to him, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore Saul said to David a second time, “You shall be my son-in-law today.”
23So 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?” 24And the servants of Saul told him, saying, “In this manner David spoke.”
25Then Saul said, “Thus you shall say to David: ‘The king does not desire any dowry but one hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to take vengeance on the king’s enemies.’ ” But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. 26So 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; 27therefore David arose and went, he and his men, and killed two hundred men of the Philistines. And David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full count to the king, that he might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him Michal his daughter as a wife.
28Thus Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him; 29and Saul was still more afraid of David. So Saul became David’s enemy continually. 30Then 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 chapter 18 mean?
The moment Samuel anointed David as king, the Spirit of the Lord came upon David (1 Samuel 16:13). At the same time, that Spirit left Saul (1 Samuel 16:14). An evil spirit took over Saul's mind, and only David's lyre-playing could soothe him (1 Samuel 16:13–23). David went back and forth between playing for the king and watching his father's sheep (1 Samuel 17:15). On the day David defeated Goliath, the people's affections started turning. Now, the once-shepherd-boy is the hero of his people and the unintended enemy of his king (1 Samuel 16:23–18:9).Following David's post-battle interview with Saul (1 Samuel 17:57–58), the king brings David to the royal court full-time. Saul's son Jonathan quickly forms a deep and lasting friendship with David. It needs to be said that there was no sexual component in Jonathan and David's relationship. Expressions of emotion were more accepted from men in the ancient world than in modern western nations. Brotherly "love" does not imply eroticism. Jonathan gifts David with his own royal robe and weapons. Saul sends David out on military missions, and David continues to have great success. He earns admiration and approval from both the officers and troops (1 Samuel 18:1–5).
Returning from a victorious battle, Saul and David are met by a crowd of women singing and dancing in celebration. The women compliment Saul by saying he has "slain his thousands." Yet they give much greater praise to David, saying that he has slain "his ten thousands." Saul is furious and terrified that David will end up taking the kingdom from him (1 Samuel 18:6–9).
The Lord sends a harmful spirit upon Saul, which drives him into a rage. Twice, Saul throws a spear at David, trying to pin him to the wall. Twice, David dodges the king's attempts to kill him. Saul knows the Lord has left him and is now with David. He sends David away to command his own military unit. Yet David's success and fame only grow along with the people's love for him (1 Samuel 18:10–16).
Saul keeps his fear and fury toward David mostly to himself. He doesn't want to turn the people directly against himself. Instead, Saul hopes the Philistines will eventually kill David for him. Saul even offers David his oldest daughter in marriage as part of a trap. David refuses out of a sense of humility at the thought of his family being connected to the king's family (1 Samuel 18:17–19).
When Saul learns that another of his daughters, Michal, is in love with David, he tries his ploy again, intending to use her as bait for David's death. Once more, David refuses. He considers himself unworthy, lacking enough reputation and having no money for the bride price. Saul suggests that instead of money, David could earn the right to marry Michal by bringing him a hundred Philistine foreskins. This parallels other tokens of death, such as collecting ears or scalps. Saul hopes David will die in the attempt to kill so many Philistines. But David accepts the challenge and kills twice as many. When David returns, he counts out the foreskins before the king and marries Michal (1 Samuel 18:20–27).
Saul realizes that every attempt he has made to kill David has only made David stronger and more successful. The king grows ever more terrified of David and sets himself as David's enemy for life. David, meanwhile, becomes the most successful military leader in all of Saul's army (1 Samuel 18:28–30).
The king continues his plot to destroy David. His daughter Michal and son Jonathan both protect David. In this way, they earn their father's anger, as well. Eventually, David flees, gathers his own army, and fights Israel's enemies as a refugee until Saul dies (1 Samuel 19 —31).
