King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 18:6 Mean?

1 Samuel 18:6 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out ... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

1 Samuel 18:6 · KJV


Context

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.

8

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? displeased him: Heb. was evil in his eyes


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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
וַיְהִ֣י1 of 20
H1961

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

בְּבוֹאָ֗ם2 of 20

And it came to pass as they came

H935

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

בְּשׁ֤וּב3 of 20

was returned

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

דָּוִד֙4 of 20

when David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

מֵֽהַכּ֣וֹת5 of 20

from the slaughter

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אֶת6 of 20
H853

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

הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔י7 of 20

of the Philistine

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

וַתֵּצֶ֨אנָה8 of 20

came out

H3318

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

הַנָּשִׁ֜ים9 of 20

that the women

H802

a woman

מִכָּל10 of 20
H3605

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

עָרֵ֤י11 of 20

of all cities

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙12 of 20

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לָשִׁ֣ור13 of 20

singing

H7891

to sing

וְהַמְּחֹל֔וֹת14 of 20

and dancing

H4246

a dance

לִקְרַ֖את15 of 20

to meet

H7125

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

שָׁא֣וּל16 of 20

Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ17 of 20

king

H4428

a king

בְּתֻפִּ֥ים18 of 20

with tabrets

H8596

a tambourine

בְּשִׂמְחָ֖ה19 of 20

with joy

H8057

blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)

וּבְשָֽׁלִשִֽׁים׃20 of 20

and with instruments

H7991

a triple, i.e., (as an officer) a general of the third rank (upward, i.e., the highest)


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 18:6 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 18:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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