Therefore Saul sent David away and gave him command of a thousand men. David led the troops out to battle and back, So he sent David awayThis phrase marks a pivotal moment in the relationship between Saul and David. The Hebrew root for "sent away" is שָׁלַח (shalach), which can imply a dismissal or a commissioning. In this context, it reflects Saul's growing jealousy and fear of David, as Saul perceives David as a threat to his throne. Historically, this action can be seen as Saul's attempt to distance David from the royal court, perhaps hoping that the dangers of battle might eliminate him. This decision, however, also serves God's providential plan to elevate David. and gave him command of a thousand men
The phrase "command of a thousand men" indicates a significant military responsibility. The Hebrew word for "thousand" is אֶלֶף (eleph), which can denote a military unit or clan. By giving David such a command, Saul inadvertently provides him with the opportunity to demonstrate his leadership and military prowess. This act, while intended to sideline David, actually enhances his reputation among the people and the army, further fulfilling God's plan for David's rise to kingship. and David led the troops out to battle and back
The phrase "led the troops out to battle and back" highlights David's role as a successful military leader. The Hebrew verb יָצָא (yatsa) means "to go out," and it is often used in the context of leading troops into battle. David's ability to lead the troops "out to battle and back" safely underscores his competence and God's favor upon him. This success not only solidifies David's standing among the people but also foreshadows his future as a warrior king. The historical context of this period was marked by frequent skirmishes with neighboring nations, and David's victories would have been seen as a sign of divine blessing and protection. Persons / Places / Events 1. SaulThe first king of Israel, who becomes increasingly jealous of David due to his success and popularity. 2. DavidA young shepherd anointed by God to be the future king of Israel, known for his faithfulness and military prowess. 3. Command of a ThousandA military position given to David by Saul, which was both a promotion and a strategic move by Saul to distance David. 4. TroopsThe soldiers under David's command, whom he led successfully in battle. 5. BattleThe context in which David proves his leadership and gains further favor with the people of Israel. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in LeadershipDespite Saul's intentions, God uses David's military role to prepare him for future kingship. Trust in God's plan even when circumstances seem unfavorable. Faithfulness in DutyDavid's success in leading the troops demonstrates his commitment to his responsibilities. Be diligent and faithful in the roles God has placed you in. Handling Jealousy and OppositionSaul's jealousy leads to actions against David, yet David remains steadfast. Respond to jealousy and opposition with integrity and trust in God. Promotion and ResponsibilityDavid's promotion comes with increased responsibility. Embrace new roles as opportunities to serve and grow in faith. God's Favor and Human FearSaul's fear of David contrasts with God's favor upon him. Seek God's favor through obedience and faith, rather than succumbing to fear. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Saul's decision to send David away reflect his internal struggles and fears? How can we guard against similar feelings of jealousy or insecurity in our own lives? 2. In what ways does David's leadership in battle prepare him for his future role as king? How can we view our current responsibilities as preparation for future opportunities? 3. How does David's response to Saul's actions demonstrate his character and faith? What can we learn from David about handling opposition and adversity? 4. How does the concept of God's sovereignty play out in this passage, and how can we apply this understanding to our own life situations? 5. Reflect on a time when you were given a new responsibility or role. How did you rely on God to help you succeed, and what lessons did you learn from that experience? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 16:13This verse describes David's anointing by Samuel, highlighting God's favor upon him, which contrasts with Saul's growing animosity. 1 Samuel 18:5Earlier in the chapter, David's success and wisdom in leadership are noted, setting the stage for Saul's decision to send him away. 1 Samuel 18:14-15These verses further describe David's success and Saul's fear of him, emphasizing the divine favor upon David. Psalm 18:29-30David's psalm of praise reflects his reliance on God for victory in battle, aligning with his success as a military leader. People Adriel, David, Jonathan, Merab, Michal, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Appointed, Appointeth, Aside, Business, Campaigns, Captain, Command, Commander, David, Led, Presence, Removed, Saul, Thousand, Troops, TurnethDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 18:6-15 5965 temperament 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 18:13 NIV1 Samuel 18:13 NLT1 Samuel 18:13 ESV1 Samuel 18:13 NASB1 Samuel 18:13 KJV
1 Samuel 18:13 Commentaries
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