David and his men went out and killed two hundred Philistines. He brought their foreskins and presented them as payment in full to become the king's son-in-law. Then Saul gave his daughter Michal to David in marriage. David and his men went outThis phrase highlights the leadership and camaraderie of David. The Hebrew root for "went out" (יָצָא, yatsa) often implies a purposeful departure, suggesting David's determination and the loyalty of his men. Historically, David's men were a group of valiant warriors who supported him through various trials, reflecting the strong bonds of brotherhood and shared purpose in achieving God's plans. killed two hundred Philistines
The act of killing two hundred Philistines demonstrates David's military prowess and God's favor upon him. The Philistines were a constant threat to Israel, and David's victory over them was a significant achievement. This act also fulfilled King Saul's seemingly impossible bride price, showcasing David's courage and God's provision. The historical context of the Philistines as formidable enemies underscores the miraculous nature of this victory. He brought their foreskins
This phrase, though graphic, signifies the fulfillment of Saul's demand. The foreskins served as a tangible proof of David's victory. In the ancient Near Eastern context, such acts were not uncommon as a means of demonstrating military success. This also highlights the cultural and covenantal significance of circumcision in Israel, contrasting the Israelites with their uncircumcised enemies. presented them in full number to the king
David's presentation of the foreskins "in full number" emphasizes his integrity and commitment to fulfilling Saul's challenge. The Hebrew word for "presented" (מָלֵא, male) implies completeness and satisfaction of the requirement. This act of presenting them to Saul also reflects David's respect for Saul's authority, despite Saul's growing animosity towards him. to become the king’s son-in-law
This phrase marks the fulfillment of David's quest to marry Michal, Saul's daughter. Becoming the king's son-in-law was not only a personal victory for David but also a significant step in God's plan for his future kingship. The marriage to Michal, who loved David, further integrated him into the royal family, setting the stage for future events in his life and reign. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage
Saul's act of giving Michal to David in marriage, despite his ulterior motives, fulfilled his promise. Michal's love for David is noted earlier in the chapter, and this marriage, while politically motivated by Saul, was part of God's providential plan. The Hebrew context of marriage (נָתַן, natan) often implies a covenantal relationship, which in this case, intertwines personal, political, and divine elements in the unfolding narrative of David's life. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe future king of Israel, anointed by Samuel, and a man after God's own heart. At this point, he is a servant in King Saul's court and a successful military leader. 2. SaulThe first king of Israel, who becomes increasingly jealous and fearful of David's rising popularity and success. 3. MichalSaul's daughter, who loves David and becomes his wife as a result of this event. 4. PhilistinesA significant enemy of Israel during this period, representing the pagan nations surrounding Israel. 5. Marriage ProposalSaul's offer of his daughter Michal to David as a wife, contingent upon David's success in a dangerous mission against the Philistines. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in TrialsDespite Saul's intentions to harm David, God uses the situation to further His plan for David's life. Trust in God's sovereignty even when others intend harm. Courage and FaithfulnessDavid's willingness to face the Philistines demonstrates his courage and faithfulness to God's calling. We are called to be courageous and faithful in our own challenges. The Cost of ObedienceDavid's actions remind us that obedience to God's calling can be costly and require great personal sacrifice. Jealousy and Its ConsequencesSaul's jealousy leads to destructive behavior. We must guard our hearts against jealousy and its potential to harm relationships and our spiritual walk. God's Favor and Human OppositionDavid's life illustrates that God's favor does not exempt us from human opposition. We must rely on God's strength to navigate such challenges. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's response to Saul's challenge reflect his trust in God, and how can we apply this trust in our own lives when facing difficult tasks? 2. In what ways does Saul's jealousy of David serve as a warning for us in our personal and spiritual relationships? 3. How does the cultural and religious significance of circumcision in Genesis 17 relate to the events of 1 Samuel 18:27? 4. What can we learn from David's courage and faithfulness in this passage that can help us in our own spiritual battles? 5. How does this passage illustrate the theme of God's sovereignty, and how can we find comfort in this truth when facing opposition or trials? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 17David's victory over Goliath, which sets the stage for his rise in popularity and Saul's jealousy. 1 Samuel 18:20-21Saul's initial offer of Michal to David, revealing Saul's ulterior motives to have David killed by the Philistines. 2 Samuel 3:13-14David's later demand for Michal's return, showing the ongoing political and personal complexities in David's life. Genesis 17:10-14The covenant of circumcision, which provides cultural and religious context for the significance of the foreskins. People Adriel, David, Jonathan, Merab, Michal, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Along, Bringeth, Daughter, David, Death, Delivered, Foreskins, Full, Giveth, Got, Hundred, Killed, King's, Law, Marriage, Michal, Philistines, Presented, Private, Riseth, Rose, Saul, Slew, Smiteth, Smote, Son-in-law, Struck, Tale, Wherefore, WifeDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 18:27 5710 marriage, customs 1 Samuel 18:17-27 5695 girls 1 Samuel 18:17-29 5890 insecurity 1 Samuel 18:18-27 5738 sons 1 Samuel 18:20-27 5659 bride 1 Samuel 18:24-27 5325 gifts 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 18:27 NIV1 Samuel 18:27 NLT1 Samuel 18:27 ESV1 Samuel 18:27 NASB1 Samuel 18:27 KJV
1 Samuel 18:27 Commentaries
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