King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 18:5 Mean?

1 Samuel 18:5 in the King James Version says “And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants. behaved: or, prospered”

1 Samuel 18:5 · KJV

Context

3

Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.

4

And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.

5

And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants. behaved: or, prospered

6

And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. Philistine: or, Philistines instruments: Heb. three stringed instruments

7

And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.

Read 1 Samuel 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.

Jonathan's covenant with David exemplifies godly friendship that transcends personal ambition and family loyalty. Though Jonathan was heir to Saul's throne, he recognized God's choice of David and submitted to divine purposes. His willingness to risk his father's wrath to protect David demonstrates loyalty rooted in spiritual discernment rather than political advantage. The covenant between Jonathan and David foreshadows Christ's faithful friendship with believers, showing covenant love that sacrificially serves another's good even at personal cost.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The establishment of monarchy around 1050-1010 BCE represented a dramatic political and theological shift for Israel. Unlike surrounding nations where kings were considered divine or semi-divine, Israel's kings were supposed to function under God's ultimate authority as laid out in Deuteronomy 17:14-20. The Benjamite tribe occupied strategic territory between Ephraim and Judah, making Saul's selection a politically astute choice to balance tribal rivalries. Archaeological remains from this period show increased fortification and centralization of settlements, confirming the transition to state-level organization.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does covenant faithfulness in this passage illuminate God's character and His commitment to His promises despite human unfaithfulness?
  2. What specific heart attitudes, thought patterns, or life practices does this passage call you to examine or change?
  3. How does the covenant relationship in this passage illuminate the new covenant established through Christ's blood?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיֵּצֵ֨א1 of 20

“went out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

דָוִ֜ד2 of 20

“And David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

בְּכֹל֩3 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר4 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יִשְׁלָחֶ֤נּוּ5 of 20

“sent”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

שָׁאֽוּל׃6 of 20

“and Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

יַשְׂכִּ֔יל7 of 20

“him and behaved himself wisely”

H7919

to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent

וַיְשִׂמֵ֣הוּ8 of 20

“set”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

שָׁאֽוּל׃9 of 20

“and Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

עַ֖ל10 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אַנְשֵׁ֣י11 of 20

“him over the men”

H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

הַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה12 of 20

“of war”

H4421

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

וַיִּיטַב֙13 of 20

“and he was accepted”

H3190

to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)

בְּעֵינֵ֖י14 of 20

“and also in the sight”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

כָל15 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָעָ֔ם16 of 20

“of all the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וְגַ֕ם17 of 20
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

בְּעֵינֵ֖י18 of 20

“and also in the sight”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

עַבְדֵ֥י19 of 20

“servants”

H5650

a servant

שָׁאֽוּל׃20 of 20

“and Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

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 18:5 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 18:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 18:301 Samuel 18:14-15Colossians 4:5Ephesians 5:17Acts 7:10Matthew 10:16

Test Your Knowledge

1 Samuel 18 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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