What is the context of 1 Samuel 18:27?

1 Samuel 18:27 is part of 1 Samuel chapter 18, which contains 30 verses. This verse has 3 cross-references to other scriptures, showing its connections throughout the Bible.

King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 18:27 Mean?

1 Samuel 18:27 in the King James Version says “Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their for...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king's son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife.”

1 Samuel 18:27 · KJV

Context

And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king's son in law: and the days were not expired. expired: Heb. fulfilled

And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him.

And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually.

Read 1 Samuel 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary

Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king's son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife.

David's return with two hundred foreskins - double the required amount - demonstrated both divine protection and abundant fulfillment. The phrase 'in full tale' (male'um) emphasizes complete, verified count. David's excess was characteristic: when he responded to challenges, he did so with overflow. What Saul intended as death became victory; what was meant as impossible requirement became display of God's favor. Saul now had no choice but to fulfill his promise. The wedding bound David more closely to the royal house even as Saul's hatred intensified.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Counting trophies verified military accomplishments. The doubled number may have been strategic - removing Saul's ability to claim the count was short. Marriage to the king's daughter created legal ties that complicated Saul's desire to eliminate David.

Reflection Questions

When has God enabled you to exceed what seemed impossible requirements?
What does David's double fulfillment teach about approaching challenges with excellence?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words

וַיָּ֨קָם1 of 24

“arose”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

דָוִד֙2 of 24

“Wherefore David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ׀3 of 24

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

ה֣וּא4 of 24

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

אִישׁ֒5 of 24

“men”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וַיַּ֣ךְ6 of 24

“and slew”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּים֮7 of 24

“of the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

מָאתַ֣יִם8 of 24

“two hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אִישׁ֒9 of 24

“men”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וַיָּבֵ֤א10 of 24

“brought”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

דָוִד֙11 of 24

“Wherefore David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֶת12 of 24

H853

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

עָרְלֹ֣תֵיהֶ֔ם13 of 24

“their foreskins”

H6190

the prepuce

וַיְמַלְא֣וּם14 of 24

“and they gave them in full tale”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

בַּמֶּ֑לֶךְ15 of 24

“that he might be the king's”

H4428

a king

לְהִתְחַתֵּ֖ן16 of 24

“son in law”

H2859

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

בַּמֶּ֑לֶךְ17 of 24

“that he might be the king's”

H4428

a king

וַיִּתֶּן18 of 24

“gave”

H5414

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

ל֥וֹ19 of 24

שָׁא֛וּל20 of 24

“And Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

אֶת21 of 24

H853

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

מִיכַ֥ל22 of 24

“him Michal”

H4324

mikal, saul's daughter

בִּתּ֖וֹ23 of 24

“his daughter”

H1323

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

לְאִשָּֽׁה׃24 of 24

“to wife”

H802

a woman

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 18:27 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 18:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 3:14 1 Samuel 18:13 Judges 14:19

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