King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 18:17 Mean?

1 Samuel 18:17 in the King James Version says “And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and f... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD'S battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him. valiant: Heb. a son of valour

1 Samuel 18:17 · King James Version


Context

15

Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.

16

But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.

17

And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD'S battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him. valiant: Heb. a son of valour

18

And David said unto 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 it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul's daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife.


Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD'S battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.

Saul's offer of his daughter Merab concealed murderous intent: 'Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines.' The promise 'be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD's battles' employed pious language for impious purposes. Saul would technically fulfill his promise from 17:25 while hoping David would die in combat. This manipulation represents using religious language to mask sinful agendas.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Royal marriages created political alliances and obligations. Saul's promise of his daughter to Goliath's slayer (17:25) created expectations he now manipulated. Sending David against Philistines provided honorable cover for his deadly hopes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you discern when religious language masks ungodly intent?
  2. What does Saul's manipulation teach about the corruption of those who resist God's purposes?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
אָמַ֗ר1 of 30

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

וְשָׁא֣וּל2 of 30

And Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

אֶל3 of 30
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

דָּוִ֗ד4 of 30

to David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

הִנֵּה֩5 of 30
H2009

lo!

בִתִּ֨י6 of 30

daughter

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

הַגְּדוֹלָ֤ה7 of 30

Behold my elder

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

מֵרַב֙8 of 30

Merab

H4764

merab, a daughter of saul

אֹתָהּ֙9 of 30
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֶתֶּן10 of 30

her will I give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְךָ֣11 of 30
H0
לְאִשָּׁ֔ה12 of 30

thee to wife

H802

a woman

אַ֚ךְ13 of 30
H389

a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only

הֱיֵה14 of 30
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לִּ֣י15 of 30
H0
לְבֶן16 of 30

only be thou valiant

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

חַ֔יִל17 of 30
H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

וְהִלָּחֵ֖ם18 of 30

for me and fight

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

מִלְחֲמ֣וֹת19 of 30

battles

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

יְהוָ֑ה20 of 30

the LORD'S

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְשָׁא֣וּל21 of 30

And Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

אָמַ֗ר22 of 30

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַל23 of 30
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תְּהִ֤י24 of 30
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

יַד25 of 30

Let not mine hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

בּ֔וֹ26 of 30
H0
וּתְהִי27 of 30
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

ב֖וֹ28 of 30
H0
יַד29 of 30

Let not mine hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃30 of 30

of the Philistines

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 18:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 18:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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