1 Samuel 18:25
New International Version
Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines.

New Living Translation
he told them, “Tell David that all I want for the bride price is 100 Philistine foreskins! Vengeance on my enemies is all I really want.” But what Saul had in mind was that David would be killed in the fight.

English Standard Version
Then Saul said, “Thus shall you say to David, ‘The king desires no bride-price except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, that he may be avenged of the king’s enemies.’” Now Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

Berean Standard Bible
Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king desires no other dowry but a hundred Philistine foreskins as revenge on his enemies.’ ” But Saul intended to cause David’s death at the hands of the Philistines.

King James Bible
And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

New King James Version
Then Saul said, “Thus you shall say to David: ‘The king does not desire any dowry but one hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to take vengeance on the king’s enemies.’ ” But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

New American Standard Bible
Saul then said, “This is what you shall say to David: ‘The king does not desire any dowry except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to take vengeance on the king’s enemies.’” But Saul plotted to have David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

NASB 1995
Saul then said, “Thus you shall say to David, ‘The king does not desire any dowry except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to take vengeance on the king’s enemies.’” Now Saul planned to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

NASB 1977
Saul then said, “Thus you shall say to David, ‘The king does not desire any dowry except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to take vengeance on the king’s enemies.’” Now Saul planned to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

Legacy Standard Bible
Saul then said, “Thus you shall say to David, ‘The king does not desire any dowry except one hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to take vengeance on the king’s enemies.’” Now Saul planned to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

Amplified Bible
Then Saul said, “This is what you shall say to David: ‘The king wants no dowry except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to take vengeance on the king’s enemies.’” Now Saul’s intention was to cause David’s death at the hand of the Philistines.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Saul replied, “Say this to David: ‘The king desires no other bride-price except a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’ ” Actually, Saul intended to cause David’s death at the hands of the Philistines.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Saul replied, “Say this to David: ‘The king desires no other bride-price except 100 Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Actually, Saul intended to cause David’s death at the hands of the Philistines.

American Standard Version
And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. Now Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

Contemporary English Version
Saul was hoping that the Philistines would kill David, and he told his officials to tell David, "The king doesn't want any silver or gold. He only wants to get even with his enemies. All you have to do is to bring back proof that you have killed 100 Philistines!"

English Revised Version
And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. Now Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Saul replied, "Tell David, 'The king doesn't want any payment for the bride except 100 Philistine foreskins so that he can get revenge on his enemies.' " In this way Saul planned to have David fall into the hands of the Philistines.

Good News Translation
and Saul ordered them to tell David: "All the king wants from you as payment for the bride are the foreskins of a hundred dead Philistines, as revenge on his enemies." (This was how Saul planned to have David killed by the Philistines.)

International Standard Version
Saul said, "This is what you are to tell David, 'The king desires no bride price except 100 Philistine foreskins to take vengeance on the king's enemies.'" Now Saul thought he would cause David to die at the hand of the Philistines.

Majority Standard Bible
Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king desires no other dowry but a hundred Philistine foreskins as revenge on his enemies.’” But Saul intended to cause David’s death at the hands of the Philistines.

NET Bible
Saul replied, "Here is what you should say to David: 'There is nothing that the king wants as a price for the bride except a hundred Philistine foreskins, so that he can be avenged of his enemies.'" (Now Saul was thinking that he could kill David by the hand of the Philistines.)

New Heart English Bible
Saul said, "You shall tell David, 'The king desires no dowry except one hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies.'" Now Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dower, but a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

World English Bible
Saul said, “Tell David, ‘The king desires no dowry except one hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king’s enemies.’” Now Saul thought he would make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Saul says, “Thus you say to David, There is no delight for the king in dowry, but in one hundred foreskins of the Philistines—to be avenged on the enemies of the king”; and Saul thought to cause David to fall by the hand of the Philistines.

Young's Literal Translation
And Saul saith, 'Thus do ye say to David, There is no delight to the king in dowry, but in a hundred foreskins of the Philistines -- to be avenged on the enemies of the king;' and Saul thought to cause David to fall by the hand of the Philistines.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Saul will say, Thus shall ye say to David, No delight to the king in a dowry, but in a hundred uncircumcisions of the rovers to be avenged of the king's enemies. And Saul purposed to cause David to fall into the hand of the rovers.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Saul said: Speak thus to David: The king desireth not any dowry, but only a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. Now Saul thought to deliver David into the hands of the Philistines.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Saul said, “Speak in this way to David: The king does not have need of any dowry, but only one hundred foreskins from the Philistine men, so that he may be vindicated from the enemies of the king.” So did Saul think to deliver David into the hands of the Philistines.

New American Bible
Saul commanded them, “Say this to David: The king desires no other price for the bride than the foreskins of one hundred Philistines, that he may thus take vengeance on his enemies.” Saul intended to have David fall into the hands of the Philistines.

New Revised Standard Version
Then Saul said, “Thus shall you say to David, ‘The king desires no marriage present except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, that he may be avenged on the king’s enemies.’” Now Saul planned to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Saul said, Thus shall you say to David, The king does not desire any dowry, but two hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of his enemies. But King Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Shaul said: ”Thus you shall say to David. “The King does not desire a marriage dowry, except for two hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of his enemies.” And King Shaul planned the overthrow of David by the hand of the Philistines
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Saul said: 'Thus shall ye say to David: The king desireth not any dowry, but a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies.' For Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Saul said, Thus shall ye speak to David, The king wants no gift but a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to avenge himself on the kings enemies. Now Saul thought to cast him into the hands of the Philistines.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Marries Michal
24And the servants told Saul what David had said. 25Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king desires no other dowry but a hundred Philistine foreskins as revenge on his enemies.’” But Saul intended to cause David’s death at the hands of the Philistines. 26When the servants reported these terms to David, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. Before the wedding day arrived,…

Cross References
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.”

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.

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.

Judges 1:12-13
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 younger brother Kenaz captured the city, and Caleb gave his daughter Acsah to him in marriage.

1 Samuel 17:25
Now the men of Israel had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out to defy Israel? To the man who kills him the king will give great riches. And he will give him his daughter in marriage and exempt his father’s house from taxation in Israel.”

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 17:25-27
Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra, the Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab. / So the Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead. / When David came to Mahanaim, he was met by Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim.

2 Samuel 18:18
During his lifetime, Absalom had set up for himself a pillar in the King’s Valley, for he had said, “I have no son to preserve the memory of my name.” So he gave the pillar his name, and to this day it is called Absalom’s Monument.

2 Samuel 19:29-30
The king replied, “Why say any more? I hereby declare that you and Ziba are to divide the land.” / And Mephibosheth said to the king, “Instead, since my lord the king has safely come to his own house, let Ziba take it all!”

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.

Matthew 22:2-4
“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. / He sent his servants to call those he had invited to the banquet, but they refused to come. / Again, he sent other servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’

Matthew 22:11-13
But when the king came in to see the guests, he spotted a man who was not dressed in wedding clothes. / ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ But the man was speechless. / Then the king told the servants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Mark 6:23
And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom!”

Luke 14:31-32
Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand? / And if he is unable, he will send a delegation while the other king is still far off, to ask for terms of peace.


Treasury of Scripture

And Saul said, Thus shall you say to David, The king desires not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

dowry

Genesis 29:18
And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.

Genesis 34:12
Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say unto me: but give me the damsel to wife.

Exodus 22:16,17
And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife…

foreskins

1 Samuel 17:26,36
And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? …

Genesis 17:11-14
And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you…

Joshua 5:3
And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.

to be avenged

1 Samuel 14:24
And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.

thought

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.

2 Samuel 17:8-11
For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people…

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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














Then Saul replied
The Hebrew root for "replied" is עָנָה (anah), which often implies a response or answer. In this context, it indicates Saul's calculated and deliberate response to the situation. Saul's reply is not just a casual answer but a strategic move in his ongoing conflict with David. Historically, Saul's jealousy and fear of David's rising popularity and God's favor upon him are well-documented, setting the stage for his manipulative tactics.

Say to David
This phrase underscores the indirect communication Saul employs, using intermediaries to convey his message. This method reflects the hierarchical and formal communication practices of ancient Near Eastern courts. It also highlights Saul's cunning nature, as he seeks to manipulate the situation without direct confrontation.

The king desires
The word "desires" comes from the Hebrew חָפֵץ (chaphets), which conveys a strong inclination or wish. Saul's desire here is not genuine but a facade to mask his ulterior motives. In the broader scriptural context, this reflects the theme of deceptive appearances versus true intentions, a recurring motif in the narrative of Saul and David.

no other bride price
The concept of a "bride price" (מֹהַר, mohar) was customary in ancient Israelite culture, serving as a form of dowry or compensation to the bride's family. Saul's mention of a bride price is a ruse, as he sets an impossible and dangerous task for David, revealing his intent to eliminate David under the guise of a traditional practice.

except a hundred Philistine foreskins
This demand is both gruesome and strategically significant. The Philistines were Israel's formidable enemies, and Saul's request for their foreskins was a way to humiliate and weaken them. The foreskins served as tangible proof of victory over the Philistines. Archaeologically, this reflects the brutal and violent nature of ancient warfare, where physical trophies were often taken from defeated foes.

to take revenge on his enemies
Saul frames the demand as an act of nationalistic vengeance, appealing to the cultural and religious duty to defend Israel against its enemies. This phrase is laden with irony, as Saul's true enemy is not the Philistines but David himself. Theologically, this highlights the distortion of righteous causes for personal vendettas, a cautionary tale about the misuse of power and authority.

But Saul intended to cause David’s death
The Hebrew verb חָשַׁב (chashav) for "intended" implies plotting or devising. Saul's intention is premeditated and malicious, showcasing his descent into moral corruption. This phrase reveals the tragic trajectory of Saul's kingship, as he prioritizes personal vendetta over divine mandate and national welfare.

at the hands of the Philistines
Saul's plan is to use the Philistines as unwitting instruments of his scheme. This reflects a broader biblical theme of God using the plans of the wicked to fulfill His purposes, as David ultimately survives and thrives despite Saul's machinations. Historically, this underscores the constant threat the Philistines posed to Israel, making Saul's plan seem plausible and cunning.

(25) An hundred foreskins.--Wordsworth's note here, which he derives from Theodoret, is curious. Foreskins! why not heads? Here is a sign of Saul's suspicious and malignant spirit. He, judging for himself, impiously suspects that David would go forth and destroy some of the Israelites--Saul's own subjects--as he himself desired to destroy David, his own deliverer; and the foreskins were required as a proof that they who were killed were not Israelites. Josephus, however, with a strange exaggeration, mentions 600 heads as the price of Michal.



Parallel Commentaries ...


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

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

“Say
תֹאמְר֣וּ (ṯō·mə·rū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to David,
לְדָוִ֗ד (lə·ḏā·wiḏ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

‘The king
לַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (lam·me·leḵ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

desires
חֵ֤פֶץ (ḥê·p̄eṣ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2656: Pleasure, desire, a valuable thing, a matter

no
אֵֽין־ (’ên-)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

other dowry
בְּמֹ֔הַר (bə·mō·har)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4119: Purchase price (of a wife)

but
כִּ֗י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

a hundred
בְּמֵאָה֙ (bə·mê·’āh)
Preposition-b | Number - feminine singular
Strong's 3967: A hundred

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

foreskins
עָרְל֣וֹת (‘ā·rə·lō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 6190: The prepuce

as revenge
לְהִנָּקֵ֖ם (lə·hin·nā·qêm)
Preposition-l | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5358: To grudge, avenge, punish

on his
הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

enemies.’”
בְּאֹיְבֵ֣י (bə·’ō·yə·ḇê)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary

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

intended
חָשַׁ֔ב (ḥā·šaḇ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2803: To think, account

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

death
לְהַפִּ֥יל (lə·hap·pîl)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

at the hands
בְּיַד־ (bə·yaḏ-)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

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


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OT History: 1 Samuel 18:25 Saul said Thus you shall tell David (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
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