1 Samuel 18:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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?"

NIV: 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?"

NASB: Then Saul became very angry, for this lyric displeased him; and he said, 'They have given David credit for ten thousands, but to me they have given credit for only thousands! Now what more can he have but the kingdom?'

CSB: Saul was furious and resented this song. "They credited tens of thousands to David," he complained, "but they only credited me with thousands. What more can he have but the kingdom?"

NLT: This made Saul very angry. 'What’s this?' he said. 'They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they’ll be making him their king!'

KJV: 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?

NKJV: Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?”

Some leaders, especially kings, are always on the lookout for threats to their power and popularity. Those who are insecure are especially sensitive to hints that another person may be more loved or respected than they are.

The women celebrating victory over the Philistines call out: Saul has killed thousands and David tens of thousands (1 Samuel 18:7). Such phrases were likely a standard structure in songs of celebration. They honor both people mentioned. The poetic use of "thousands and tens of thousands" to indicate non-specific large numbers was also common. It may be that the second person mentioned is being honored slightly above the first, but both are being hailed as the heroes of the battle.

Saul could have chosen to interpret the song that way. He can decide that the people are still singing his name but are also understandably excited about the young man who killed the imposing Philistine champion. He can enjoy the moment for what it is. After all, he can take credit for bringing this champion into his service.

But Saul remembers Samuel's warning: "The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you" (1 Samuel 15:28). This seems to be the first moment when Saul realizes that David may be that "neighbor." He decides to watch to see if David will take advantage of his newfound popularity (2 Samuel 18:9).

First Samuel 18:6–16 reveals the hastening story of King Saul's demise and David's rise. When the army returns from battle, David's victory over Goliath (1 Samuel 17) is celebrated more than the king's win over the Philistine army. The harmful spirit returns to Saul (1 Samuel 16:14–23). His jealousy of David turns to violence. Before long, Saul will use his own daughters as bait in traps to destroy his greatest warrior (1 Samuel 18:17–30).

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.