1 Samuel 18:21
New International Version
“I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.”

New Living Translation
“Here’s another chance to see him killed by the Philistines!” Saul said to himself. But to David he said, “Today you have a second chance to become my son-in-law!”

English Standard Version
Saul thought, “Let me give her to him, that she may be a snare for him and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore Saul said to David a second time, “You shall now be my son-in-law.”

Berean Standard Bible
“I will give her to David,” Saul thought, “so that she may be a snare to him, and the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “For a second time now you can be my son-in-law.”

King James Bible
And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.

New King James Version
So Saul said, “I will give her to him, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore Saul said to David a second time, “You shall be my son-in-law today.”

New American Standard Bible
For Saul thought, “I will give her to him so that she may become a trap for him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore Saul said to David, “For a second time you may become my son-in-law, today.”

NASB 1995
Saul thought, “I will give her to him that she may become a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore Saul said to David, “For a second time you may be my son-in-law today.”

NASB 1977
And Saul thought, “I will give her to him that she may become a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore Saul said to David, “For a second time you may be my son-in-law today.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Saul said, “I will give her to him that she may become a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore Saul said to David, “For a second time you may be my son-in-law today.”

Amplified Bible
Saul said, “I will give her to him so that she may become a snare (bad influence, source of trouble) to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David for a second time, “You shall be my son-in-law today.”

Christian Standard Bible
“I’ll give her to him,” Saul thought. “She’ll be a trap for him, and the hand of the Philistines will be against him.” So Saul said to David a second time, “You can now be my son-in-law.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“I’ll give her to him,” Saul thought. “She’ll be a trap for him, and the hand of the Philistines will be against him.” So Saul said to David a second time, “You can now be my son-in-law.”

American Standard Version
And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son-in-law a second time.

Contemporary English Version
and he thought, "I'll tell David he can marry Michal, but I'll set it up so that the Philistines will kill him." He told David, "I'm going to give you a second chance to marry one of my daughters."

English Revised Version
And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law a second time.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Saul thought, "I'll give her to David. She will trap him, and the Philistines will get him." So he said to David a second time, "You will now be my son-in-law."

Good News Translation
He said to himself, "I'll give Michal to David; I will use her to trap him, and he will be killed by the Philistines." So for the second time Saul said to David, "You will be my son-in-law."

International Standard Version
Saul told himself, "I'll give her to him and she can be a snare to him and the Philistines will harm him." So Saul told David, "For a second time you can be my son-in-law today."

Majority Standard Bible
?I will give her to David,? Saul thought, ?so that she may be a snare to him, and the hand of the Philistines may be against him.? So Saul said to David, ?For a second time now you can be my son-in-law.?

NET Bible
Saul said, "I will give her to him so that she may become a snare to him and the hand of the Philistines may be against him." So Saul said to David, "Today is the second time for you to become my son-in-law."

New Heart English Bible
And Saul thought, "I will give her to him, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. "Therefore Saul said to David, "You shall this day be my son-in-law a second time."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Saul said, I will give her to him, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son-in-law, in the one of the two.

World English Bible
Saul said, I will give her to him, that she may be a snare to him and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Therefore Saul said to David a second time, “You shall today be my son-in-law.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Saul says, “I give her to him, and she is for a snare to him, and the hand of the Philistines is on him”; and Saul says to David, “By the second—you become my son-in-law today.”

Young's Literal Translation
and Saul saith, 'I give her to him, and she is to him for a snare, and the hand of the Philistines is on him;' and Saul saith unto David, 'By the second -- thou dost become my son-in-law to-day.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Saul will say, I will give her to him, and she shall be to him for a snare, and the hand of the rovers shall be against him. And Saul will say to David, In the second time thou shalt be son-in-law to me this day.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Saul said: I will give her to him, that she may be a stumblingblock to him, and that the band of the Philistines may be upon him. And Saul said to David: In two things thou shalt be my son in law this day.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Saul said, “I will give her to him, so that she may be a stumbling block to him, and so that the hand of the Philistines may be upon him.” And Saul said to David, “In two things, you shall be my son-in-law today.”

New American Bible
He thought, “I will offer her to him as a trap, so that the hand of the Philistines may strike him.” So for the second time Saul said to David, “You shall become my son-in-law today.”

New Revised Standard Version
Saul thought, “Let me give her to him that she may be a snare for him and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore Saul said to David a second time, “You shall now be my son-in-law.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Saul said, I will give her to him, that she may be a hindrance to him and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, You shall this day be my son-in-law in doing one of two things.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Shaul said: “I shall give her to him and she shall be a scandal to him, that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” And Shaul said to David: “In the two of them you will be to me a son in law today!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Saul said: 'I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.' Wherefore Saul said to David: 'Thou shalt this day be my son-in-law through the one of the twain.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Saul said, I will give her to him, and she shall be a stumbling-block to him. Now the hand of the Philistines was against Saul.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Marries Michal
20Now Saul’s daughter Michal loved David, and when this was reported to Saul, it pleased him. 21“I will give her to David,” Saul thought, “so that she may be a snare to him, and the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “For a second time now you can be my son-in-law.” 22Then Saul ordered his servants, “Speak to David privately and tell him, ‘Behold, the king is pleased with you, and all his servants love you. Now therefore, become his son-in-law.’ ”…

Cross References
1 Samuel 25:44
But Saul had given his daughter Michal, David’s wife, to Palti son of Laish, who was from Gallim.

2 Samuel 3:14
Then David sent messengers to say to Ish-bosheth son of Saul, “Give me back my wife, Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for a hundred Philistine foreskins.”

1 Samuel 14:49
Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua. His two daughters were named Merab (his firstborn) and Michal (his younger daughter).

1 Samuel 19:11-17
Then Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him and kill him in the morning. But David’s wife Michal warned him, “If you do not run for your life tonight, tomorrow you will be dead!” / So Michal lowered David from the window, and he ran away and escaped. / Then Michal took a household idol and laid it in the bed, placed some goat hair on its head, and covered it with a garment. ...

1 Samuel 25:39-42
On hearing that Nabal was dead, David said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has upheld my cause against the reproach of Nabal and has restrained His servant from evil. For the LORD has brought the wickedness of Nabal down upon his own head.” Then David sent word to Abigail, asking her to become his wife. / When his servants came to Abigail at Carmel, they said, “David has sent us to take you as his wife.” / She arose, bowed facedown, and said, “Here is your servant, ready to serve and to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.” ...

2 Samuel 6:20-23
When David returned home to bless his own household, Saul’s daughter Michal came out to meet him. “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today!” she said. “He has uncovered himself today in the sight of the maidservants of his subjects, like a vulgar person would do.” / But David said to Michal, “I was dancing before the LORD, who chose me over your father and all his house when He appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel. I will celebrate before the LORD, / and I will humiliate and humble myself even more than this. Yet I will be honored by the maidservants of whom you have spoken.” ...

2 Samuel 21:8
But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons whom Rizpah daughter of Aiah had borne to Saul, as well as the five sons whom Merab daughter of Saul had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite.

Judges 14:1-4
One day Samson went down to Timnah, where he saw a young Philistine woman. / So he returned and told his father and mother, “I have seen a daughter of the Philistines in Timnah. Now get her for me as a wife.” / But his father and mother replied, “Can’t you find a young woman among your relatives or among any of our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?” But Samson told his father, “Get her for me, for she is pleasing to my eyes.” ...

Genesis 29:18-28
Since Jacob loved Rachel, he answered, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” / Laban replied, “Better that I give her to you than to another. Stay here with me.” / So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet it seemed but a few days because of his love for her. ...

Genesis 34:12
Demand a high dowry and an expensive gift, and I will give you whatever you ask. Only give me the girl as my wife!”

Exodus 22:16-17
If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged in marriage and sleeps with her, he must pay the full dowry for her to be his wife. / If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, the man still must pay an amount comparable to the bridal price of a virgin.

Deuteronomy 7:3-4
Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, / because they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you.

Joshua 15:16-17
And Caleb said, “To the man who strikes down Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage.” / So Othniel son of Caleb’s brother Kenaz captured the city, and Caleb gave his daughter Acsah to him in marriage.

1 Kings 11:1-4
King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love. / He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away. ...

Nehemiah 13:25-27
I rebuked them and called down curses on them. I beat some of these men and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God and said, “You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves! / Did not King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations, and he was loved by his God, who made him king over all Israel—yet foreign women drew him into sin. / Must we now hear that you too are doing all this terrible evil and acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women?”


Treasury of Scripture

And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Why Saul said to David, You shall this day be my son in law in the one of the two.

a snare

Exodus 10:7
And Pharaoh's servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?

Psalm 7:14-16
Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood…

Psalm 38:12
They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.

the hand

1 Samuel 18:17
And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD'S battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.

1 Samuel 19:11,12
Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain…

this day

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.

Jump to Previous
Cause Danger David Hand Hands Law Opportunity Philistines Saul Second Snare Son-In-Law Thought Time Today To-Day Twain Wherefore
Jump to Next
Cause Danger David Hand Hands Law Opportunity Philistines Saul Second Snare Son-In-Law Thought Time Today To-Day Twain Wherefore
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














I will give her to him
This phrase reveals King Saul's intention to use his daughter as a political tool. In the Hebrew context, marriage alliances were often used to secure political power or to manipulate situations. Saul's offer is not out of goodwill but a strategic move. The Hebrew word for "give" (נָתַן, natan) often implies a transfer of possession or responsibility, indicating Saul's view of his daughter as a means to an end rather than a beloved child.

so that she may be a snare to him
The word "snare" (מוֹקֵשׁ, moqesh) in Hebrew refers to a trap or a device meant to ensnare. Saul's intention is malicious; he hopes that his daughter will lead David into danger or downfall. This reflects Saul's growing jealousy and fear of David, who is gaining favor and success. The use of a familial relationship as a trap underscores the depth of Saul's desperation and moral decline.

and the hand of the Philistines may be against him
Saul's plan involves external enemies, the Philistines, who were a constant threat to Israel. The "hand" (יָד, yad) symbolizes power or control. Saul hopes that by marrying his daughter, David will be drawn into conflicts with the Philistines, leading to his demise. This reflects the historical context of ongoing battles between Israel and the Philistines, highlighting the political instability of the time.

So Saul said to David
This phrase marks a direct interaction between Saul and David. Saul's words are manipulative, cloaked in the guise of an offer. The Hebrew narrative often uses direct speech to reveal character intentions and dynamics. Here, Saul's duplicity is evident as he presents a dangerous opportunity as a gift.

Today you have a second opportunity
The phrase "second opportunity" suggests a previous offer or chance. Saul had earlier promised his elder daughter, Merab, to David, but reneged on that promise. This reflects Saul's unreliable nature and his attempts to control David's fate. The repetition of opportunity indicates Saul's persistence in his schemes.

to become my son-in-law
Becoming the king's son-in-law would elevate David's status and integrate him into the royal family. However, Saul's offer is not genuine; it is a calculated move to entrap David. The familial term "son-in-law" (חָתָן, chatan) is laden with irony, as Saul's intentions are anything but familial or loving. This highlights the tension between David's rising favor with God and the people, and Saul's deteriorating moral and spiritual state.

(21) That she may be a snare to him.--Is it not possible that this dark plot of Saul against a life once so dear to him--a plot which in after days, when the enmity of the king was a matter of general notoriety, became of course known by David--suggested to him (David) the means by which, in the darkest hours of his life, he got rid of the brave Uriah, the husband of Bath-sheba, at the siege of Rabbah? (2 Samuel 11)

In the one of the twain.--More accurately translated. in this second time, or in this second way. The LXX. again leaves out this statement, no doubt because it refers back to the omitted passage in 1Samuel 18:17-19.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“I will give her
אֶתְּנֶ֤נָּה (’et·tə·nen·nāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

to [David],”
לּוֹ֙ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

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

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

“so that she may be
וּתְהִי־ (ū·ṯə·hî-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a snare
לְמוֹקֵ֔שׁ (lə·mō·w·qêš)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4170: A bait or lure, a snare

to him,
ל֣וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

and the hand
יַד־ (yaḏ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

of the Philistines
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים (pə·liš·tîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

may be
וּתְהִי־ (ū·ṯə·hî-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

against him.”
ב֖וֹ (ḇōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

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

said
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (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

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

“For a second [time]
בִּשְׁתַּ֛יִם (biš·ta·yim)
Preposition-b | Number - fd
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

now
הַיּֽוֹם׃ (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

you can be my son-in-law.”
תִּתְחַתֵּ֥ן (tiṯ·ḥat·tên)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2859: To give, away in marriage, to contract affinity by marriage


Links
1 Samuel 18:21 NIV
1 Samuel 18:21 NLT
1 Samuel 18:21 ESV
1 Samuel 18:21 NASB
1 Samuel 18:21 KJV

1 Samuel 18:21 BibleApps.com
1 Samuel 18:21 Biblia Paralela
1 Samuel 18:21 Chinese Bible
1 Samuel 18:21 French Bible
1 Samuel 18:21 Catholic Bible

OT History: 1 Samuel 18:21 Saul said I will give her (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 18:20
Top of Page
Top of Page