Add parallel Print Page Options

David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him; as a result, Saul set him over the army. And all the people, even the servants of Saul, approved.

As they were coming home, when David returned from killing the Philistine, the women came out of all the towns of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments.[a](A) And the women sang to one another as they made merry,

“Saul has killed his thousands
    and David his ten thousands.”(B)

Saul was very angry, for this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands; what more can he have but the kingdom?”(C) So Saul eyed David from that day on.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 18.6 Or triangles or three-stringed instruments

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.

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. As they danced, they sang:(E)

“Saul has slain his thousands,
    and David his tens(F) of thousands.”

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) And from that time on Saul kept a close(H) eye on David.

Read full chapter