King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 18:21 Mean?

1 Samuel 18:21 in the King James Version says “And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against ... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.

1 Samuel 18:21 · KJV


Context

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.

20

And Michal Saul's daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. pleased him: Heb. was right in his eyes

21

And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.

22

And Saul commanded his servants, saying, Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the king's son in law.

23

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?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.

The narrator reveals Saul's inner thoughts: Michal as 'snare' (moqesh) and the Philistines as executioners. The phrase 'in the one of the twain' offers David a second opportunity at royal marriage after Merab's denial. Yet every word conceals murderous intent. Saul's scheme exposes how corrupt hearts can use family bonds and religious ceremony as weapons. The father who should protect his daughter plans to use her as bait; the king who should defend his servant designs his death. Yet God turns snares into salvation repeatedly in David's story.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Using daughters as political pawns was common ancient practice. 'Snare' language appears in Proverbs describing seductive women who destroy men. Saul's plan inverted normal protective instincts, weaponizing family relationships for murderous purposes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can religious or family structures be corrupted into instruments of harm?
  2. What does Saul's scheming reveal about the depths to which jealousy can drive a person?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 19

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שָׁאוּל֙2 of 19

And Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

אֶתְּנֶ֤נָּה3 of 19

I will give

H5414

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

לּוֹ֙4 of 19
H0
וּתְהִי5 of 19
H1961

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

ל֣וֹ6 of 19
H0
לְמוֹקֵ֔שׁ7 of 19

him her that she may be a snare

H4170

a noose (for catching animals) (literally or figuratively); by implication, a hook (for the nose)

וּתְהִי8 of 19
H1961

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

ב֖וֹ9 of 19
H0
יַד10 of 19

to him and that the 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

פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים11 of 19

of the Philistines

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר12 of 19

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שָׁאוּל֙13 of 19

And Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

אֶל14 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

דָּוִ֔ד15 of 19

to David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

בִּשְׁתַּ֛יִם16 of 19

in the one of the twain

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

תִּתְחַתֵּ֥ן17 of 19

be my son in law

H2859

to give (a daughter) away in marriage; hence (generally) to contract affinity by marriage

בִּ֖י18 of 19
H0
הַיּֽוֹם׃19 of 19

Thou shalt this day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso


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 18:21 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 18:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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