1 Samuel 18:18
New International Version
But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law?”

New Living Translation
“Who am I, and what is my family in Israel that I should be the king’s son-in-law?” David exclaimed. “My father’s family is nothing!”

English Standard Version
And David said to Saul, “Who am I, and who are my relatives, my father’s clan in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?”

Berean Standard Bible
And David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my father’s clan in Israel, that I should become the son-in-law of the king?”

King James Bible
And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?

New King James Version
So David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my life or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?”

New American Standard Bible
But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and who is my family, or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be the king’s son-in-law?”

NASB 1995
But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my life or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be the king’s son-in-law?”

NASB 1977
But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my life or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be the king’s son-in-law?”

Legacy Standard Bible
But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my life or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be the king’s son-in-law?”

Amplified Bible
David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my life or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be the king’s son-in-law?”

Christian Standard Bible
Then David responded, “Who am I, and what is my family or my father’s clan in Israel that I should become the king’s son-in-law? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then David responded, “Who am I, and what is my family or my father’s clan in Israel that I should become the king’s son-in-law?”

American Standard Version
And David said unto Saul, Who am I, and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?

Contemporary English Version
David answered, "How could I possibly marry your daughter? I'm not very important, and neither is my family."

English Revised Version
And David said unto Saul, Who am I, and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Who am I?" David asked Saul. "And how important are my relatives or my father's family in Israel that I should be the king's son-in-law?"

Good News Translation
David answered, "Who am I and what is my family that I should become the king's son-in-law?"

International Standard Version
David told Saul, "Who am I and what is my life or my father's family in Israel that I should be the king's son-in-law?"

Majority Standard Bible
And David said to Saul, ?Who am I, and what is my family or my father?s clan in Israel, that I should become the son-in-law of the king??

NET Bible
David said to Saul, "Who am I? Who are my relatives or the clan of my father in Israel that I should become the king's son-in-law?"

New Heart English Bible
David said to Saul, "Who am I, and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And David said to Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?

World English Bible
David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my life, or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And David says to Saul, “Who [am] I? And what [is] my life—the family of my father in Israel—that I am son-in-law of the king?”

Young's Literal Translation
And David saith unto Saul, 'Who am I? and what my life -- the family of my father in Israel -- that I am son-in-law to the king?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And David will say to Saul, Who am I? and who was my father's family in Israel that I shall be son-in-law to the king?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And David said to Saul: Who am I, or what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son in law of the king?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my life, and what is my father’s kinship within Israel, that I should be the son-in-law of the king?”

New American Bible
But David answered Saul: “Who am I? And who are my kindred or my father’s clan in Israel that I should become the king’s son-in-law?”

New Revised Standard Version
David said to Saul, “Who am I and who are my kinsfolk, my father’s family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And David said to Saul, Who am I? And what have I done, or what is my life or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And David said to Shaul: “Who am I and what have I done and what is my life and the family of my father in Israel, that I should take the daughter of the King?”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And David said unto Saul: 'Who am I, and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?'

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Marries Michal
17Then Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage. Only be valiant for me and fight the LORD’s battles.” But Saul was thinking, “I need not raise my hand against him; let the hand of the Philistines be against him.” 18And David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my father’s clan in Israel, that I should become the son-in-law of the king?” 19So when it was time to give Saul’s daughter Merab to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 9:21
Saul replied, “Am I not a Benjamite from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of Benjamin? So why would you say such a thing to me?”

1 Samuel 24:14
Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea?

2 Samuel 7:18
Then King David went in, sat before the LORD, and said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far?

1 Chronicles 17:16
Then King David went in, sat before the LORD, and said, “Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far?

Judges 6:15
“Please, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I save Israel? Indeed, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house.”

Exodus 3:11
But Moses asked God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

1 Samuel 15:17
And Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, have you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel

1 Samuel 26:20
So do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of the LORD. For the king of Israel has come out to look for a flea, like one who hunts a partridge in the mountains.”

2 Samuel 9:8
Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog like me?”

1 Kings 3:7
And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in.

Psalm 8:4
what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?

Isaiah 41:14
Do not fear, O Jacob, you worm, O few men of Israel. I will help you,” declares the LORD. “Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.

Luke 1:48
For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.

Luke 14:11
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Matthew 23:12
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.


Treasury of Scripture

And David said to Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?

Who am I

1 Samuel 18:26
And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king's son in law: and the days were not expired.

1 Samuel 9:21
And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?

Exodus 3:11
And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

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Clan David Israel King's Kinsfolk Life Saul Son-In-Law
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Clan David Israel King's Kinsfolk Life Saul Son-In-Law
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














But David said to Saul
This phrase introduces David's response to King Saul. David, a young shepherd who has recently gained fame for defeating Goliath, is now speaking to the king of Israel. The Hebrew root for "said" is "אָמַר" (amar), which is often used to denote not just speaking, but a thoughtful or considered response. This indicates David's humility and respect in addressing Saul, despite his recent rise in status.

Who am I
David's question reflects his humility and self-awareness. The Hebrew word for "who" is "מִי" (mi), which is used here to express David's sense of unworthiness. Despite his accomplishments, David does not see himself as deserving of the honor Saul is offering. This humility is a key characteristic of David's early life and is consistent with the biblical theme that God exalts the humble.

and what is my family
David refers to his family, the house of Jesse, which is not of significant social standing in Israel. The Hebrew word for "family" is "מִשְׁפָּחָה" (mishpachah), indicating a broader kinship group. David's acknowledgment of his family's modest status underscores his humility and contrasts with Saul's royal lineage.

or my father’s clan in Israel
Here, David expands his reference to his "father’s clan," using the Hebrew word "שֵׁבֶט" (shevet), which can mean tribe or clan. This highlights the tribal structure of ancient Israel, where social and political status were often tied to one's tribal affiliation. David's clan, the tribe of Judah, was not yet prominent, further emphasizing his perceived insignificance.

that I should become the king’s son-in-law?
David questions the appropriateness of his becoming the king's son-in-law. The phrase "king’s son-in-law" in Hebrew is "חָתָן הַמֶּלֶךְ" (chatan hamelech). This role would elevate David to a position of great honor and responsibility. David's question reflects his awareness of the social and political implications of such a union, as well as his humility in questioning his worthiness for such an honor.

(18) What is my life?--These words in David's modest and wise answer have been variously interpreted. (a) They have been taken to refer to David's personal life; but surely that has been alluded to in the preceding words, "Who am I?" (b) As referring to the condition of life in which he was born and to which he was accustomed; so Keil; but it is doubtful if the Hebrew word here used ever has this significance. (c) With a reference to David's family; so Ewald and Lange. Ewald would translate, "What are my folks or relations?" Of these (c) is undoubtedly the preferable meaning.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And David
דָּוִ֜ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

said
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

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

“Who
מִ֤י (mî)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

am I,
אָֽנֹכִי֙ (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

and what
וּמִ֣י (ū·mî)
Conjunctive waw | Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

is my family
חַיַּ֔י (ḥay·yay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

or my father’s
אָבִ֖י (’ā·ḇî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1: Father

clan
מִשְׁפַּ֥חַת (miš·pa·ḥaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people

in Israel,
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (bə·yiś·rā·’êl)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

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

I should become
אֶהְיֶ֥ה (’eh·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

the son-in-law
חָתָ֖ן (ḥā·ṯān)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2860: A relative by marriage, a circumcised child

of the king?”
לַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ (lam·me·leḵ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king


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OT History: 1 Samuel 18:18 David said to Saul Who am I (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 18:17
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