What does 1 Samuel 18:6-9 mean?
"And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth, and the 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." - 1 Samuel 18:6-9
The Bible verse 1 Samuel 18:6-9 from the King James Version reads:
"And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music. And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth, and the 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."
1 Samuel 18:6-9 is a significant passage in the Bible as it captures the turning point in the relationship between King Saul and David. The verse reveals Saul's growing jealousy and resentment towards David as the people's praise for David's military victories surpasses that of Saul's. This passage also sets the stage for the intense and tumultuous relationship between Saul and David that unfolds in the subsequent chapters of 1 Samuel.
The verses describe the aftermath of David's victory over the Philistine giant, Goliath. As David returns from this heroic feat, the women of Israel come out to meet King Saul with singing, dancing, and music, celebrating the triumphs of both Saul and David. However, the women's song praising David for slaying tens of thousands and Saul for slaying thousands triggers a strong negative reaction from Saul. It stirs up feelings of inadequacy and insecurity within Saul, leading to his growing animosity towards David.
The themes present in this passage include jealousy, insecurity, and the destructive nature of comparison. Saul's reaction to the praise for David demonstrates the destructive power of jealousy and the toxic effects of comparing oneself to others. Saul's feelings of inadequacy and jealousy drive him to view David as a threat rather than a companion and ally. This passage serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing jealousy and insecurity to dictate one's actions.
The context of this passage is crucial to understanding its significance. Saul was initially anointed as the first king of Israel, chosen by God to lead His people. However, Saul's disobedience and lack of humility led to God's rejection of him as king (1 Samuel 15:23). In contrast, David, a young shepherd, was anointed by the prophet Samuel to be the future king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:12-13). As David's popularity grows and he gains favor among the people, Saul's jealousy and fear of losing his throne intensify.
Symbolism in this passage is evident in the use of music and praise as a catalyst for Saul's jealousy. The celebration with tabrets, joy, and instruments of music reflects the joy and praise that should be directed towards God for the victories He has granted. However, Saul's reaction reveals the danger of allowing external praise and comparison to lead to bitterness and resentment.
In conclusion, 1 Samuel 18:6-9 is a pivotal passage in the biblical narrative, highlighting the destructive power of jealousy and the consequences of comparing oneself to others. It serves as a warning against allowing jealousy and insecurity to drive our actions and relationships. Furthermore, it sets the stage for the ongoing conflict between Saul and David, ultimately leading to Saul's downfall and David's ascension to the throne. This passage reminds us to seek contentment in God's plan for our lives and to guard against allowing jealousy to poison our relationships with others.
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1 Samuel 18:6-9 Artwork
1 Samuel 18:6-9 - "As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments. And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?” And Saul eyed David from that day on."
"As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments. And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?” And Saul eyed David from that day on." - 1 Samuel 18:6-9
1 Samuel 18:9 - "And Saul eyed David from that day and forward."
1 Samuel 9:18 - "Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is."
"And Saul eyed David from that day and forward." - 1 Samuel 18:9
1 Samuel 18:6 - "And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick."
"Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is." - 1 Samuel 9:18
2 Samuel 18:6 - "¶ So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim;"
1 Samuel 2:18 - "¶ But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod."
1 Samuel 4:18
1 Samuel 4:18
1 Samuel 4:18
1 Samuel 30:18
1 Samuel 12:18 - "So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel."
1 Samuel 14:6
1 Samuel 6:9 - "And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Beth-shemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us: it was a chance that happened to us."
1 Samuel 9:1-2
1 Samuel 19:18 - "¶ So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth."
2 Samuel 6:9 - "And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?"
1 Samuel 9:15 - "¶ Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,"
1 Samuel 8:6 - "¶ But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD."
1 Samuel 18:6-7 - "As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments. And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, "Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.""
1 Samuel 6:1 - "And the ark of the LORD was in the country of the Philistines seven months."
2 Samuel 6:14
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1 Samuel 18:24 - "And the servants of Saul told him, saying, On this manner spake David."
1 Samuel 6:18 (KJVA) 18 And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fenced cities, and of country villages, even unto the great stone of Abel, whereon they set down the ark of the LORD: which stone remaineth unto this day in the field of Joshua, the Bethshemite.
1 Samuel 9:25 - "¶ And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house."
Luke 18: 9-14
1 Samuel 18:12 - "¶ And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul."