1 Samuel 18:5-9
New English Translation
5 On every mission on which Saul sent him, David achieved success. So Saul appointed him over the men of war. This pleased not only all the army, but also Saul’s servants.[a]
6 When the men[b] arrived after David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women from all the cities of Israel came out singing and dancing to meet King Saul. They were happy as they played their tambourines and three-stringed instruments.[c] 7 The women who were playing the music sang,
“Saul has struck down his thousands,
but David his tens of thousands!”
8 This made Saul very angry. The statement displeased him and he thought,[d] “They have attributed to David tens of thousands, but to me they have attributed only thousands. What does he lack, except the kingdom?” 9 So Saul was keeping an eye on David from that day onward.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1 Samuel 18:5 tn Heb “it was good in the eyes of all the people and also in the eyes of the servants of Saul.”
- 1 Samuel 18:6 tn Heb “them.” The masculine plural pronoun apparently refers to the returning soldiers.
- 1 Samuel 18:6 tn Heb “with tambourines, with joy, and with three-stringed instruments.”
- 1 Samuel 18:8 tn Heb “said.” So also in vv. 11, 17.
1 Samuel 18:5-9
International Standard Version
5 David went out and was successful everywhere Saul sent him, and Saul put him in charge of the troops. This pleased the entire army,[a] as well as Saul’s officials.[b]
Saul’s Jealousy of David
6 When David returned from defeating the Philistine, as they were entering the city, women from all the towns of Israel came out to meet King Saul, singing and dancing as they joyously played tambourines and lyres. 7 As the women sang and played, they said,
“Saul has struck down his thousands
but David his ten thousands.”
8 Saul was very angry and he did not like what the women sang. He told himself,[c] “They have attributed tens of thousands to David, but to me they have attributed thousands. What else can he have but the kingdom?” 9 From then on Saul kept his eye on David.[d]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1 Samuel 18:5 Or pleased all the people
- 1 Samuel 18:5 Or servants
- 1 Samuel 18:8 The Heb. lacks to himself
- 1 Samuel 18:9 Or eyed David with suspicion
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