And David went into battle wherever Saul sent him, and always [a]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.

Now it happened as they were coming, when David returned from killing the Philistine, that (A)the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy and with other [b]musical instruments. The women (B)sang as they [c]played, and said,

(C)Saul has slain his thousands,
(D)And David his ten thousands.”

Then Saul became very angry, for this lyric [d]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 (E)kingdom?” And Saul eyed David with suspicion from that day on.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 18:5 Or acted wisely
  2. 1 Samuel 18:6 Possibly three-stringed lutes
  3. 1 Samuel 18:7 Or danced
  4. 1 Samuel 18:8 Lit was evil in his eyes

And David [a]went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and [b]behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and it was good in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

And it came to pass as they came, when David returned from the slaughter of the [c]Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with timbrels, with joy, and with [d]instruments of music. And the women [e]sang one to another as they played, and said,

Saul hath slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands.

And Saul was very wroth, and this 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? And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 18:5 Or, went out; whithersoever Saul sent him, he etc.
  2. 1 Samuel 18:5 Or, prospered
  3. 1 Samuel 18:6 Or, Philistines
  4. 1 Samuel 18:6 Or, triangles Or, three-stringed instruments
  5. 1 Samuel 18:7 Or, answered one another