But when Saul's servants relayed these words to David, he replied, "Does it seem trivial in your sight to be the son-in-law of the king? I am a poor man and lightly esteemed." So Saul’s servants told David these wordsIn the context of ancient Israel, the role of a king's servant was not merely that of a menial laborer but often included trusted advisors and messengers. The Hebrew word for "servants" here is "עֲבָדִים" (avadim), which can also mean "officials" or "attendants." This indicates that Saul's servants were acting as intermediaries in a significant royal matter. The act of conveying messages between the king and David highlights the hierarchical structure of the time and the importance of communication in maintaining royal protocol. But David said
David's response is crucial in understanding his character. The Hebrew word for "said" is "אָמַר" (amar), which is often used in the Bible to denote not just speaking but declaring or proclaiming something of importance. David's words are not just a casual reply but a thoughtful declaration of his humility and self-awareness. This reflects David's heart, which is often described as being after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). Does it seem trivial to you to become the king’s son-in-law?
The phrase "trivial" in Hebrew is "קַלּוֹן" (qalon), which can also mean "light" or "insignificant." David is questioning the perception of the honor and responsibility associated with becoming part of the royal family. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, marriage alliances were significant political and social contracts. David's rhetorical question underscores his awareness of the gravity of such a union and his respect for the institution of marriage, especially one involving the king. I am a poor man and lightly esteemed
David's self-description as a "poor man" uses the Hebrew word "רָשׁ" (rash), which denotes not just financial poverty but also a lack of social standing. "Lightly esteemed" translates from "נִקְלֶה" (niqleh), meaning to be regarded as insignificant or despised. This reflects David's humility and his realistic assessment of his status. Despite his anointing by Samuel and his victory over Goliath, David acknowledges his humble origins and the societal perceptions of him. This humility is a recurring theme in David's life and is a key aspect of his relationship with God, as God often chooses the humble and lowly to fulfill His purposes (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidA young shepherd who was anointed by Samuel to be the future king of Israel. At this point, he is serving in King Saul's court and has gained favor due to his victory over Goliath and his military successes. 2. SaulThe first king of Israel, who becomes increasingly jealous of David's popularity and success. He seeks to entrap David by offering his daughter in marriage. 3. Saul’s ServantsMessengers who convey Saul's intentions to David, acting as intermediaries in the king's plan to ensnare David. 4. MichalSaul's daughter, whom Saul offers to David as a wife, hoping to use this as a means to bring about David's downfall. 5. IsraelThe nation over which Saul reigns as king, and where David is gaining recognition and favor among the people. Teaching Points Humility in PositionDavid's response to Saul's offer reflects a heart of humility. Despite his growing fame, David does not see himself as entitled to royal status. This teaches us the importance of maintaining humility regardless of our achievements or recognition. God's Favor vs. Human EsteemDavid acknowledges his lowly status, yet he is favored by God. This reminds us that God's favor is not dependent on our social or economic status but on our heart and obedience to Him. Discernment in OpportunitiesDavid's cautious response to becoming the king's son-in-law shows discernment. Not every opportunity, even those that seem advantageous, is from God. We must seek God's wisdom in discerning His will. The Dangers of JealousySaul's offer, motivated by jealousy, serves as a warning of how envy can lead to destructive actions. We must guard our hearts against jealousy and seek contentment in God's plan for us. God's Sovereignty in TrialsDespite Saul's intentions, God uses the situation to further His plan for David. This reassures us that God is sovereign and can use even the schemes of others for our good and His glory. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's response to Saul's offer reflect his character and relationship with God? How can we apply this humility in our own lives? 2. In what ways does David's situation illustrate the principle that God's favor is not dependent on worldly status? How can this encourage us in our current circumstances? 3. What can we learn from David's discernment in responding to Saul's offer? How can we apply this discernment when faced with opportunities or decisions? 4. How does Saul's jealousy impact his actions and relationship with David? What steps can we take to prevent jealousy from taking root in our hearts? 5. Reflect on a time when God used a challenging situation for your growth or His purpose. How does understanding God's sovereignty in trials strengthen your faith? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 17David's humble beginnings and his faith-driven victory over Goliath set the stage for his rise in Saul's court. 1 Samuel 18:14-16These verses highlight David's success and the Lord's presence with him, which contrasts with Saul's growing fear and jealousy. Philippians 2:3-4This passage encourages humility and valuing others above oneself, reflecting David's humble response to Saul's offer. James 4:10This verse speaks to the principle of humility before God, which is exemplified in David's acknowledgment of his lowly status. People Adriel, David, Jonathan, Merab, Michal, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics David, Ears, Esteemed, I'm, King's, Law, Lightly, Matter, Poor, Repute, Saul, Saul's, Seeing, Seem, Seemeth, Seems, Servants, Sight, Son-in-law, Spake, Speak, Spoke, TrivialDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 18:23 4847 smallness
5888 inferiority 1 Samuel 18:17-25 8720 double-mindedness 1 Samuel 18:17-27 5695 girls 1 Samuel 18:17-29 5890 insecurity 1 Samuel 18:18-27 5738 sons 1 Samuel 18:20-23 5910 motives, examples 1 Samuel 18:20-27 5659 bride Library A Soul's Tragedy
'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. 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. 7. And the women answered one another as they played, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureWar! War! War!
At the present crisis, the minds of men are exceedingly agitated with direful prospects of a terrible struggle. We know not whereunto this matter may grow. The signs of the times are dark and direful. We fear that the vials of God's wrath are about to be poured out, and that the earth will be deluged with blood. As long as there remains a hope, let us pray for peace, nay, even in the time of war let us still beseech the throne of God, crying, that he would "send us peace in our days." The war will …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859 And V the Kingdom Undivided and the Kingdom Divided
THE HISTORICAL BOOKS: I and II Samuel. I and II Kings. I and II Chronicles. NOTE.--As these three pairs of books are so closely related in their historical contents, it is deemed best to study them together, though they overlap the two divisions of IV and V. I. CHARTS Chart A. General Contents +--+ " I AND II SAMUEL " +-------------+-----+------+ "Samuel "Saul "David " +-------------+-----+------+----------+ " " " " I AND II KINGS "NOTE.--Biblical …
Frank Nelson Palmer—A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible The Exile.
David's first years at the court of Saul in Gibeah do not appear to have produced any psalms which still survive. "The sweetest songs are those Which tell of saddest thought." It was natural, then, that a period full of novelty and of prosperous activity, very unlike the quiet days at Bethlehem, should rather accumulate materials for future use than be fruitful in actual production. The old life shut to behind him for ever, like some enchanted door in a hill-side, and an unexplored land lay beckoning …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David Salvation Published from the Mountains
O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid: say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! I t would be improper to propose an alteration, though a slight one, in the reading of a text, without bearing my testimony to the great value of our English version, which I believe, in point of simplicity, strength, and fidelity, is not likely to be excelled by a new translation …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 How the Poor and the Rich Should be Admonished.
(Admonition 3.) Differently to be admonished are the poor and the rich: for to the former we ought to offer the solace of comfort against tribulation, but in the latter to induce fear as against elation. For to the poor one it is said by the Lord through the prophet, Fear not, for thou shalt not be confounded (Isai. liv. 4). And not long after, soothing her, He says, O thou poor little one, tossed with tempest (Ibid. 11). And again He comforts her, saying, I have chosen thee in the furnace of …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Publication of the Gospel
The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it [or of the preachers] P erhaps no one Psalm has given greater exercise to the skill and patience of commentators and critics, than the sixty-eighth. I suppose the difficulties do not properly belong to the Psalm, but arise from our ignorance of various circumstances to which the Psalmist alludes; which probably were, at that time, generally known and understood. The first verse is the same with the stated form of benediction …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Ramah. Ramathaim Zophim. Gibeah.
There was a certain Ramah, in the tribe of Benjamin, Joshua 18:25, and that within sight of Jerusalem, as it seems, Judges 19:13; where it is named with Gibeah:--and elsewhere, Hosea 5:8; which towns were not much distant. See 1 Samuel 22:6; "Saul sat in Gibeah, under a grove in Ramah." Here the Gemarists trifle: "Whence is it (say they) that Ramah is placed near Gibea? To hint to you, that the speech of Samuel of Ramah was the cause, why Saul remained two years and a half in Gibeah." They blindly …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Sixth Commandment
Thou shalt not kill.' Exod 20: 13. In this commandment is a sin forbidden, which is murder, Thou shalt not kill,' and a duty implied, which is, to preserve our own life, and the life of others. The sin forbidden is murder: Thou shalt not kill.' Here two things are to be understood, the not injuring another, nor ourselves. I. The not injuring another. [1] We must not injure another in his name. A good name is a precious balsam.' It is a great cruelty to murder a man in his name. We injure others in …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Samuel 18:23 NIV1 Samuel 18:23 NLT1 Samuel 18:23 ESV1 Samuel 18:23 NASB1 Samuel 18:23 KJV
1 Samuel 18:23 Commentaries
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