1 Samuel 18:5-9
New International Version
5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful(A) that Saul gave him a high rank in the army.(B) This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well.
6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing,(C) with joyful songs and with timbrels(D) and lyres. 7 As they danced, they sang:(E)
“Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his tens(F) of thousands.”
8 Saul 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?(G)” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close(H) eye on David.
1 Samuel 18:5-9
Common English Bible
5 David went out and was successful in every mission Saul sent him to do. So Saul placed him in charge of the soldiers, and this pleased all the troops as well as Saul’s servants.
Saul jealous of David
6 After David came back from killing the Philistine, and as the troops returned home, women from all of Israel’s towns came out to meet King Saul[a] with singing and dancing, with tambourines, rejoicing, and musical instruments. 7 The women sang in celebration:
“Saul has killed his thousands,
but David has killed his tens of thousands!”
8 Saul burned with anger. This song annoyed him. “They’ve credited David with tens of thousands,” he said, “but only credit me with thousands. What’s next for him—the kingdom itself?” 9 So Saul kept a close eye on David from that point on.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1 Samuel 18:6 MT; LXX to meet David
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