1 Samuel 18:23 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Saul 's servants spoke those words in the ears of David. And David said, "Does it seem to you a little thing to become the king 's son-in-law, since I am a poor man and have no reputation?"

NIV: They repeated these words to David. But David said, "Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known."

NASB: So Saul’s servants spoke these words to David. But David said, 'Is it trivial in your sight to become the king’s son-in-law, since I am only a poor man and insignificant?'

CSB: Saul’s servants reported these words directly to David, but he replied, "Is it trivial in your sight to become the king’s son-in-law? I am a poor commoner."

NLT: When Saul’s men said these things to David, he replied, 'How can a poor man from a humble family afford the bride price for the daughter of a king?'

KJV: And Saul's servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king's son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?

NKJV: So Saul’s servants spoke those words in the hearing of David. And David said, “Does it seem to you a light thing to be a king’s son-in-law, seeing I am a poor and lightly esteemed man?”

King Saul has a twisted plan. If David marries one of his daughters, he can force David into battles to be killed by the Philistines. But David's immediate reaction to Saul's second offer to marry a princess is the same as his first. David has such respect for the king of Israel that he feels unworthy to marry into the royal family (1 Samuel 18:17–18).

The first time, David emphasized that his family and his father's clan were not important enough to be joined to royalty. This time, the response is more personal. He is the eighth son of his family rather than the first. He grew up herding sheep and wasn't even invited to join when an important guest came to visit the family (1 Samuel 16:1–11). He has no real money of his own and—in his mind (1 Samuel 18:7)—no reputation as a man of character.

David also doesn't believe that he, himself, has proven his worth as a man. David's humility is both inspiring and puzzling. He killed Goliath when no professional soldier would answer the giant's challenge. But because he did it for God's honor and with God's strength, he sees it as no credit to himself (1 Samuel 17). King Saul's son, Jonathan, and daughter Michal love him, as do all of Israel and Judah. Still, David refuses to see himself as worthy of being the king's son-in-law.

Saul realizes this works to his advantage. Maybe he can use David's humility to get him killed before the wedding can even take place (1 Samuel 18:25).

First Samuel 18:17–30 reveals the depths of King Saul's hatred toward David. When David killed Goliath, Saul thought he had a champion (1 Samuel 17). The moment they return from battle, however, the people's affections transfer to David, and the king grows furious. Saul's direct attempts to kill David fail (1 Samuel 18:6–16), so he uses his daughters to lure David into a fatal battle with the Philistines. Again, Saul's plan fails, and the king realizes God's protection over David is too great. Soon, Saul will watch as even his children favor David (1 Samuel 19).

Saul's son Jonathan becomes David's best friend. David succeeds in every military mission Saul sends him on. The people praise David as being even mightier than Saul. The king is furious and terrified that David will take his throne. After Saul's direct attempts to kill David fail, the king sends David to battle the Philistines using marriage to his daughter as bait. David not only survives, but he continues to prove himself to be a mightier warrior and leader than Saul. Saul knows the Lord is with David and not with him and cements himself as David's permanent enemy.

First Samuel 18 begins the story of how the changed work of the Holy Spirit on both Saul and David (1 Samuel 16:13–14) leads to the king's destruction and David's rise. David faithfully serves both Saul (1 Samuel 16:14–23) and Saul's kingdom (1 Samuel 17—18). But David wins the hearts of Saul's people and his children. Saul can't handle the competition (1 Samuel 19—20). Finally, David flees the royal court and raises his own army. He spends years fighting Israel's enemies from afar, patiently waiting until Saul dies in battle and the shepherd boy can take his rightful crown (1 Samuel 21—31).

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.