1 Samuel 18 – search, read, and compare multiple versions of the Bible
World English Bible Classic
[1] When he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. [2] Saul took him that day, and wouldn’t let him go home to his father’s house any more. [3] Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. [4] Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David with his clothing, even including his sword, his bow, and his sash. [5] David went out wherever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely; and Saul set him over the men of war. It was good in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants. [6] As they came, when David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul with tambourines, with joy, and with instruments of music. [7] The women sang to one another as they played, and said,
“Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his ten thousands.” [8] Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have credited David with ten thousands, and they have only credited me with thousands. What can he have more but the kingdom?” [9] Saul watched David from that day and forward. [10] On the next day, an evil spirit from God came mightily on Saul, and he prophesied in the middle of the house. David played with his hand, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand; [11] and Saul threw the spear, for he said, “I will pin David to the wall!” David escaped from his presence twice. [12] Saul was afraid of David, because Yahweh was with him, and had departed from Saul. [13] Therefore Saul removed him from his presence, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people. [14] David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and Yahweh was with him. [15] When Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he stood in awe of him. [16] But all Israel and Judah loved David; for he went out and came in before them. [17] Saul said to David, “Behold, my elder daughter Merab. I will give her to you as wife. Only be valiant for me, and fight Yahweh’s battles.” For Saul said, “Don’t let my hand be on him, but let the hand of the Philistines be on him.” [18] 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?” [19] But at the time when Merab, Saul’s daughter, should have been given to David, she was given to Adriel the Meholathite as wife. [20] Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David; and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. [21] 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 today be my son-in-law.” [22] Saul commanded his servants, “Talk with David secretly, and say, ‘Behold, the king has delight in you, and all his servants love you. Now therefore be the king’s son-in-law.’ ” [23] Saul’s servants spoke those words in the ears of David. David said, “Does it seem to you a light thing to be the king’s son-in-law, since I am a poor man and little known?” [24] The servants of Saul told him, saying, “David spoke like this.” [25] Saul said, “Tell David, ‘The king desires no dowry except one hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king’s enemies.’ ” Now Saul thought he would make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. [26] When his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king’s son-in-law. Before the deadline, [27] David arose and went, he and his men, and killed two hundred men of the Philistines. Then David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full number to the king, that he might be the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him Michal his daughter as wife. [28] Saul saw and knew that Yahweh was with David; and Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him. [29] Saul was even more afraid of David; and Saul was David’s enemy continually. [30] Then the princes of the Philistines went out; and as often as they went out, David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly esteemed.
“Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his ten thousands.” [8] Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have credited David with ten thousands, and they have only credited me with thousands. What can he have more but the kingdom?” [9] Saul watched David from that day and forward. [10] On the next day, an evil spirit from God came mightily on Saul, and he prophesied in the middle of the house. David played with his hand, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand; [11] and Saul threw the spear, for he said, “I will pin David to the wall!” David escaped from his presence twice. [12] Saul was afraid of David, because Yahweh was with him, and had departed from Saul. [13] Therefore Saul removed him from his presence, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people. [14] David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and Yahweh was with him. [15] When Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he stood in awe of him. [16] But all Israel and Judah loved David; for he went out and came in before them. [17] Saul said to David, “Behold, my elder daughter Merab. I will give her to you as wife. Only be valiant for me, and fight Yahweh’s battles.” For Saul said, “Don’t let my hand be on him, but let the hand of the Philistines be on him.” [18] 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?” [19] But at the time when Merab, Saul’s daughter, should have been given to David, she was given to Adriel the Meholathite as wife. [20] Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David; and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. [21] 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 today be my son-in-law.” [22] Saul commanded his servants, “Talk with David secretly, and say, ‘Behold, the king has delight in you, and all his servants love you. Now therefore be the king’s son-in-law.’ ” [23] Saul’s servants spoke those words in the ears of David. David said, “Does it seem to you a light thing to be the king’s son-in-law, since I am a poor man and little known?” [24] The servants of Saul told him, saying, “David spoke like this.” [25] Saul said, “Tell David, ‘The king desires no dowry except one hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king’s enemies.’ ” Now Saul thought he would make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. [26] When his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king’s son-in-law. Before the deadline, [27] David arose and went, he and his men, and killed two hundred men of the Philistines. Then David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full number to the king, that he might be the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him Michal his daughter as wife. [28] Saul saw and knew that Yahweh was with David; and Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him. [29] Saul was even more afraid of David; and Saul was David’s enemy continually. [30] Then the princes of the Philistines went out; and as often as they went out, David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly esteemed.
King James Version
David and Jonathan
[1] And it came to pass, when he had made an end H3615 (PielInf) of speaking H1696 (PielInf) unto Saul, H7586 that the soul H5315 of Jonathan H3083 was knit H7194 (NiphPerf) with the soul H5315 of David, H1732 and Jonathan H3083 loved H157 (QalImpf) him as his own soul. H5315 [2] And Saul H7586 took H3947 (QalImpf) him that day, H3117 and would let H5414 (QalPerf) him go no more home H7725 (QalInf) to his father’s H1 house. H1004 [3] Then Jonathan H3083 and David H1732 made H3772 (QalImpf) a covenant, H1285 because he loved H160 him as his own soul. H5315 [4] And Jonathan H3083 stripped H6584 (HithImpf) himself of the robe H4598 that was upon him, and gave H5414 (QalImpf) it to David, H1732 and his garments, H4055 even to his sword, H2719 and to his bow, H7198 and to his girdle. H2289 [5] And David H1732 went out H3318 (QalImpf) whithersoever Saul H7586 sent H7971 (QalImpf) him, and behaved§ himself wisely: H7919 (HiphImpf) and Saul H7586 set H7760 (QalImpf) him over the men H582 of war, H4421 and he was accepted H3190 (QalImpf) in the sight H5869 of all the people, H5971 and also in the sight H5869 of Saul’s H7586 servants. H5650 [6] And it came to pass as they came, H935 (QalInf) when David H1732 was returned H7725 (QalInf) from the slaughter H5221 (HiphInf) of the Philistine, H6430§ that the women H802 came out H3318 (QalImpf) of all cities H5892 of Israel, H3478 singing H7891 (QalInf) and dancing, H4246 to meet H7125 (QalInf) king H4428 Saul, H7586 with tabrets, H8596 with joy, H8057 and with instruments of music§k. H7991 [7] And the women H802 answered H6030 (QalImpf) one another as they played, H7832 (PielPtc) and said, H559 (QalImpf)Saul H7586 hath slain H5221 (HiphPerf) his thousands, H505
And David H1732 his ten thousands. H7233
[8] And Saul H7586 was very H3966 wroth, H2734 (QalImpf) and the saying H1697 displeased H3415 (QalImpf) him;§ and he said, H559 (QalImpf) They have ascribed H5414 (QalPerf) unto David H1732 ten thousands, H7233 and to me they have ascribed H5414 (QalPerf) but thousands: H505 and what can he have more but the kingdom? H4410 [9] And Saul H7586 eyed H5770 (QalActPtc) David H1732 from that day H3117 and forward. H1973 [10] And it came to pass on the morrow, H4283 that the evil H7451 spirit H7307 from God H430 came H6743 (QalImpf) upon Saul, H7586 and he prophesied H5012 (HithImpf) in the midst H8432 of the house: H1004 and David H1732 played H5059 (PielPtc) with his hand, H3027 as at other times: H3117 and there was a javelin H2595 in Saul’s H7586 hand. H3027 [11] And Saul H7586 cast H2904 (HiphImpf) the javelin; H2595 for he said, H559 (QalImpf) I will smite H5221 (HiphImpf) David H1732 even to the wall H7023 with it. And David H1732 avoided out H5437 (NiphImpf) of his presence H6440 twice. H6471 [12] And Saul H7586 was afraid H3372 (QalImpf) of H6440 David, H1732 because the Lord H3068 was with him, and was departed H5493 (QalPerf) from Saul. H7586 [13] Therefore Saul H7586 removed H5493 (HiphImpf) him from him, and made H7760 (QalImpf) him his captain H8269 over a thousand; H505 and he went out H3318 (QalImpf) and came in H935 (QalImpf) before H6440 the people. H5971 [14] And David H1732 behaved§ himself wisely H7919 (HiphPtc) in all his ways; H1870 and the Lord H3068 was with him. [15] Wherefore when Saul H7586 saw H7200 (QalImpf) that he behaved H7919 himself very H3966 wisely, H7919 (HiphPtc) he was afraid H1481 (QalImpf) of H6440 him. [16] But all Israel H3478 and Judah H3063 loved H157 (QalActPtc) David, H1732 because he went out H3318 (QalActPtc) and came in H935 (QalActPtc) before H6440 them. [17] And Saul H7586 said H559 (QalImpf) to David, H1732 Behold my elder H1419 daughter H1323 Merab, H4764 her will I give H5414 (QalImpf) thee to wife: H802 only be thou valiant H1121§ for me, and fight H3898 (NiphImpv) the Lord’s H3068 battles. H4421 For Saul H7586 said, H559 (QalPerf) Let not mine hand H3027 be upon him, but let the hand H3027 of the Philistines H6430 be upon him. [18] And David H1732 said H559 (QalImpf) unto Saul, H7586 Who am I? and what is my life, H2416 or my father’s H1 family H4940 in Israel, H3478 that I should be son in law H2860 to the king? H4428 [19] But it came to pass at the time H6256 when Merab H4764 Saul’s H7586 daughter H1323 should have been given H5414 (QalInf) to David, H1732 that she was given H5414 (NiphPerf) unto Adriel H5741 the Meholathite H4259 to wife. H802 [20] And Michal H4324 Saul’s H7586 daughter H1323 loved H157 (QalImpf) David: H1732 and they told H5046 (HiphImpf) Saul, H7586 and the thing H1697 pleased H3474 (QalImpf) him.§ [21] And Saul H7586 said, H559 (QalImpf) I will give H5414 (QalImpf) him her, that she may be a snare H4170 to him, and that the hand H3027 of the Philistines H6430 may be against him. Wherefore Saul H7586 said H559 (QalImpf) to David, H1732 Thou shalt this day H3117 be my son in law H2859 (HithImpf) in the one of the twain. H8147 [22] And Saul H7586 commanded H6680 (PielImpf) his servants, H5650 saying, Commune H1696 (PielImpv) with David H1732 secretly, H3909 and say, H559 (QalInf) Behold, the king H4428 hath delight H2654 (QalPerf) in thee, and all his servants H5650 love H157 (QalPerf) thee: now therefore be the king’s H4428 son in law. H2859 (HithImpv) [23] And Saul’s H7586 servants H5650 spake H1696 (PielImpf) those words H1697 in the ears H241 of David. H1732 And David H1732 said, H559 (QalImpf) Seemeth H5869 it to you a light H7043 (NiphPerf) thing to be a king’s H4428 son in law, H2859 (HithInf) seeing that I am a poor H7326 (QalActPtc) man, H376 and lightly esteemed? H7034 (NiphPtc) [24] And the servants H5650 of Saul H7586 told H5046 (HiphImpf) him, saying, H559 (QalInf) On this manner H1697 spake H1696 (PielPerf)§ David. H1732 [25] And Saul H7586 said, H559 (QalImpf) Thus shall ye say H559 (QalImpf) to David, H1732 The king H4428 desireth H2656 not any dowry, H4119 but an hundred H3967 foreskins H6190 of the Philistines, H6430 to be avenged H5358 (NiphInf) of the king’s H4428 enemies. H341 (QalActPtc) But Saul H7586 thought H2803 (QalPerf) to make David H1732 fall H5307 (HiphInf) by the hand H3027 of the Philistines. H6430 [26] And when his servants H5650 told H5046 (HiphImpf) David H1732 these words, H1697 it pleased H3474 (QalImpf) David H1732 well to be the king’s H4428 son in law: H2859 (HithInf) and the days H3117 were not expired. H4390 (QalPerf)§ [27] Wherefore David H1732 arose H6965 (QalImpf) and went, H3212 (QalImpf) he and his men, H582 and slew H5221 (HiphImpf) of the Philistines H6430 two hundred H3967 men; H376 and David H1732 brought H935 (HiphImpf) their foreskins, H6190 and they gave them in full tale H4390 (PielImpf) to the king, H4428 that he might be the king’s H4428 son in law. H2859 (HithInf) And Saul H7586 gave H5414 (QalImpf) him Michal H4324 his daughter H1323 to wife. H802 [28] And Saul H7586 saw H7200 (QalImpf) and knew H3045 (QalImpf) that the Lord H3068 was with David, H1732 and that Michal H4324 Saul’s H7586 daughter H1323 loved H157 (QalPerf) him. [29] And Saul H7586 was yet the more H3254 (HiphImpf) afraid H3372 (QalInf) of H6440 David; H1732 and Saul H7586 became David’s H1732 enemy H341 (QalActPtc) continually. H3117 [30] Then the princes H8269 of the Philistines H6430 went forth: H3318 (QalImpf) and it came to pass, after H1767 they went forth, H3318 (QalInf) that David H1732 behaved himself more wisely H7919 (QalPerf) than all the servants H5650 of Saul; H7586 so that his name H8034 was much H3966 set by. H3365 (QalImpf)§
Footnotes
- § 18:5 Or, prospered
- § 18:6a Or, Philistines
- § 18:6b Heb. three stringed instruments
- § 18:8 Heb. was evil in his eyes
- § 18:14 Or, prospered
- § 18:17 Heb. a son of valour
- § 18:20 Heb. was right in his eyes
- § 18:24 Heb. according to these words
- § 18:26 Heb. fulfilled
- § 18:30 Heb. precious
Byzantine Greek New Testament
No content available.