1 Samuel 18:12 So Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul.

Bible > 1 Samuel > Chapter 18 > Verse 12

◄ 1 Samuel 18:12 ►

New International Version
Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul.

New Living Translation
Saul was then afraid of David, for the LORD was with David and had turned away from Saul.

English Standard Version
Saul was afraid of David because the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul.

Berean Standard Bible
So Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul.

King James Bible
And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.

New King James Version
Now Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, but had departed from Saul.

New American Standard Bible
Now Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him but had left Saul.

NASB 1995
Now Saul was afraid of David, for the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul.

NASB 1977
Now Saul was afraid of David, for the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Saul was afraid of David, for Yahweh was with him but had turned away from Saul.

Amplified Bible
Now Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, but had departed from Saul.

Christian Standard Bible
Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had left Saul.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had left Saul.

American Standard Version
And Saul was afraid of David, because Jehovah was with him, and was departed from Saul.

Contemporary English Version
Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was helping David and was no longer helping him.

English Revised Version
And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had left Saul.

Good News Translation
Saul was afraid of David because the LORD was with David but had abandoned him.

International Standard Version
Now Saul was afraid of David because the LORD was with him and had departed from Saul.

Majority Standard Bible
So Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul.

NET Bible
So Saul feared David, because the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul.

New Heart English Bible
Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and had departed from Saul.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and had departed from Saul.

World English Bible
Saul was afraid of David, because Yahweh was with him, and had departed from Saul.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And Saul is afraid of the presence of David, for YHWH has been with him, and He has turned aside from Saul;

Young's Literal Translation
And Saul is afraid of the presence of David, for Jehovah hath been with him, and from Saul He hath turned aside;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Saul will be afraid from the face of David, for Jehovah was with him, and he departed from Saul.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And Saul feared David, because the Lord was with him, and was departed from himself.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Saul feared David, because the Lord was with him, but he had withdrawn from Saul.

New American Bible
Saul then began to fear David because the LORD was with him but had turned away from Saul.

New Revised Standard Version
Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and had departed from Saul.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Shaul was afraid in David’s presence, because LORD JEHOVAH was with him and had departed from Shaul

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Saul was alarmed on account of David.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Saul Envies David
…11and he hurled it, thinking, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. 12So Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. 13Therefore Saul sent David away and gave him command of a thousand men. David led the troops out to battle and back,…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 Samuel 16:14
Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a spirit of distress from the LORD began to torment him.

1 Samuel 28:15-16
Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” “I am deeply distressed,” replied Saul. “The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned away from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do.” / “Why do you consult me,” asked Samuel, “since the LORD has turned away from you and become your enemy?

1 Samuel 15:23
For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”

1 Samuel 28:5
When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid and trembled violently.

1 Samuel 13:14
But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler over His people, because you have not kept the command of the LORD.”

1 Samuel 19:9
But as Saul was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand, a spirit of distress from the LORD came upon him. While David was playing the harp,

1 Samuel 28:18
Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out His burning anger against Amalek, the LORD has done this to you today.

1 Samuel 16:13
So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

1 Samuel 28:20
Immediately Saul fell flat on the ground, terrified by the words of Samuel. And his strength was gone, because he had not eaten anything all that day and night.

1 Samuel 15:26
“I will not return with you,” Samuel replied. “For you have rejected the word of the LORD, and He has rejected you as king over Israel.”

1 Samuel 28:17
He has done exactly what He spoke through me: The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor David.

1 Samuel 13:13
“You have acted foolishly,” Samuel declared. “You have not kept the command that the LORD your God gave you; if you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.

1 Samuel 28:6
He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.

1 Samuel 15:11
“I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned away from following Me and has not carried out My instructions.” And Samuel was distressed and cried out to the LORD all that night.

1 Samuel 28:19
Moreover, the LORD will deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. And the LORD will deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.”

Treasury of Scripture

And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.

afraid

1 Samuel 18:15,20,29
Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him…

1 Samuel 16:4
And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?

Psalm 48:3-6
God is known in her palaces for a refuge…

the Lord

1 Samuel 16:13,18
Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah…

1 Samuel 22:13
And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast inquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?

Acts 7:9
And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,

departed

1 Samuel 16:14
But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.

1 Samuel 28:15
And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.

Psalm 51:11
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

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Afraid David Departed Presence Saul Turned

1 Samuel 18

1. Jonathan befriends David
5. Saul envies his praise
10. seeks to kill him in his fury
12. fears him for his good success
17. offers him his daughters for snare
23. David persuaded to be the king's son-in-law,
25. gives two hundred foreskins of the Philistines for Michal's dowry
28. Saul's hatred and David's glory increase

Berean Study Bible

So Saul was afraid of David
The Hebrew word for "afraid" here is "yare," which conveys a deep sense of fear or dread. Saul's fear of David is not merely a personal insecurity but a spiritual recognition of the divine favor that David possesses. Historically, Saul's fear can be seen as a reflection of his awareness of his own disobedience and the resulting loss of God's favor. This fear is compounded by David's growing popularity and success, which Saul perceives as a threat to his throne. In a broader scriptural context, this fear illustrates the spiritual principle that those who are not aligned with God's will often find themselves in opposition to those who are.

because the LORD was with David
The phrase "the LORD was with David" signifies the divine presence and favor that David enjoyed. The Hebrew name for "LORD" here is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, indicating a personal and relational presence. This divine accompaniment is a recurring theme in David's life, marking him as a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). Theologically, this presence is a source of strength, guidance, and protection, enabling David to succeed in his endeavors. It serves as a reminder that God's presence is the ultimate source of true success and favor, contrasting with Saul's experience of God's departure.

but had departed from Saul
The word "departed" in Hebrew is "suwr," meaning to turn aside or remove. This indicates a significant and tragic shift in Saul's spiritual state. God's departure from Saul is a direct consequence of Saul's repeated disobedience and rejection of God's commands (1 Samuel 15:26). This departure is not merely the absence of divine favor but also the removal of divine guidance and protection, leaving Saul vulnerable to fear and instability. In a broader biblical context, this serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of maintaining a faithful relationship with God. Saul's spiritual decline contrasts sharply with David's rise, underscoring the biblical principle that obedience and faithfulness to God result in His abiding presence.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(12) And Saul was afraid of David.--Even after the scenes in the royal chamber just related, David remained at Court. He looked on such manifestations of bitter hatred as simple outbursts of a temporary insanity. His loyal nature would not believe in the enduring hate of one so great and noble as Saul; but we read here that even when the king recovered from the paroxysm, he feared David. Saul was conscious that his old vigour and ability were deserting him, and in David he recognised the presence of a power he knew had once been his. Not being able, even in his sane hours, to endure the presence of one whom he too surely felt would sooner or later take his place, the king dismissed him honourably from the Court, and invested him with an important military charge. Perhaps already the dark thought which some time later (see 1Samuel 18:17; 1Samuel 18:25) influenced the king had entered into his unhappy mind.

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 12-16. - Saul was afraid of David. new feeling. To his jealousy succeeded a sense of powerlessness, as knowing that a higher power was with David, while he had lost the Divine protection. This miserable feeling grew upon the unhappy king, till before the battle of Gilboa we find him with all his old heroic spirit gone, a miserable wreck, seeking for comfort at the hands of a woman of the most worthless kind (1 Samuel 28:5, 7, 20). In this despondent state of mind he dismisses David from attendance upon him, but in an honourable manner, giving him the command of a thousand men, at the head of whom he went out and came in before the people, i.e. in a public capacity, as an officer of state. As Saul seems entirely to have neglected the internal administration of the kingdom, this would refer to military expeditions (see on ver. 5); and in these David behaved himself wisely. Rather, "prospered" (see on ver. 5). His great success only increased Saul's fears; but both Israel and Judah loved David, now that in this higher command they had full opportunities for judging of his high qualities. Thus again his removal from his place in Saul's bodyguard only served to make him better known. The separate mention of Israel and Judah is an indication of the Books of Samuel having been written at a post-Solomonic date, though the distinction was a very old one (see on 1 Samuel 11:8). SAUL, UNDER PRETENCE OF A MARRIAGE WITH HIS DAUGHTER, PLOTS DAVID'S DEATH (vers. 17-30).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

So Saul
שָׁא֖וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

was afraid
וַיִּרָ֥א (way·yi·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

of
מִלִּפְנֵ֣י (mil·lip̄·nê)
Preposition-m, Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

David,
דָוִ֑ד (ḏā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

because
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the LORD
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

was
הָיָ֤ה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

with David
עִמּ֔וֹ (‘im·mōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

but
וּמֵעִ֥ם (ū·mê·‘im)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

had departed
סָֽר׃ (sār)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5493: To turn aside

from Saul.
שָׁא֖וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

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OT History: 1 Samuel 18:12 Saul was afraid of David because Yahweh (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)