and he continued to prosper in all his ways, because the LORD was with him. David continued to prosperThe Hebrew root for "prosper" is צלח (tsalach), which conveys the idea of advancing, succeeding, or thriving. In the context of David's life, this prosperity is not merely material or military success but encompasses spiritual and moral growth. David's prosperity is a testament to his alignment with God's will and his obedience to divine guidance. Historically, David's rise from a shepherd boy to a favored servant in King Saul's court illustrates God's providential hand in elevating those who are faithful. This phrase encourages believers to seek prosperity not just in worldly terms but in spiritual maturity and alignment with God's purposes. in all his ways
The phrase "in all his ways" suggests a comprehensive success that touches every aspect of David's life. The Hebrew word for "ways" is דֶּרֶךְ (derekh), which can mean path, journey, or conduct. This indicates that David's prosperity was not limited to a single area but was evident in his leadership, relationships, and personal integrity. Scripturally, this reflects the biblical principle that when one walks in righteousness and obedience, God's favor extends to all areas of life. It serves as an inspiration for believers to pursue a holistic approach to faith, ensuring that every "way" or path they take aligns with God's will. for the LORD was with him
The presence of the LORD with David is the cornerstone of his success. The Hebrew name for LORD here is יהוה (YHWH), the covenant name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness and relational presence. This divine companionship is not passive but actively involved in guiding, protecting, and blessing David. Historically, God's presence with David is evident in his victories over enemies, his wisdom in leadership, and his enduring legacy. This phrase reassures believers that true prosperity and success come from a life lived in communion with God. It is a reminder that God's presence is the ultimate source of strength and guidance, and it calls Christians to cultivate a deep, personal relationship with the LORD, trusting in His constant presence and support. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe central figure in this verse, David is a young shepherd who has been anointed by Samuel to be the future king of Israel. At this point in the account, he is serving in King Saul's court and gaining favor due to his successes and the LORD's presence with him. 2. SaulThe current king of Israel, who becomes increasingly jealous and fearful of David's success and popularity among the people. 3. The LORDThe God of Israel, whose presence and favor are the source of David's success and prosperity. 4. IsraelThe nation over which Saul is king and where David is gaining prominence. 5. The Court of SaulThe setting where much of the interaction between Saul and David takes place, highlighting the tension and dynamics of power. Teaching Points Divine Favor and SuccessTrue success and prosperity come from the LORD's presence and favor. Like David, we should seek to align our ways with God's will to experience His blessing. Faithfulness in AdversityDespite the challenges and jealousy from Saul, David remained faithful and continued to prosper. We are encouraged to remain steadfast in our faith, trusting that God is with us even in difficult times. God's Presence as a Source of StrengthThe LORD's presence with David was the key to his success. As believers, we should cultivate an awareness of God's presence in our lives, drawing strength and guidance from Him. Humility and Dependence on GodDavid's prosperity was not due to his own abilities but because the LORD was with him. We should remain humble and dependent on God, recognizing that all good things come from Him. The Importance of ObedienceDavid's prosperity was linked to his obedience to God. We are called to live obediently, trusting that God will guide and bless us in our endeavors. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the presence of the LORD in David's life compare to His presence in the lives of other biblical figures like Joseph or Moses? 2. In what ways can we seek to ensure that the LORD is with us in our daily lives, as He was with David? 3. How can we remain faithful and continue to prosper spiritually when faced with jealousy or opposition, as David did with Saul? 4. What practical steps can we take to cultivate humility and dependence on God, recognizing that our success comes from Him? 5. How does the promise of Jesus' presence in Matthew 28:20 encourage us in our personal and spiritual growth, similar to how the LORD's presence encouraged David? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 39:2-3Joseph's success in Egypt is attributed to the LORD being with him, similar to David's prosperity. Psalm 1:3Describes the righteous man who prospers in all he does, paralleling David's experience. Proverbs 3:5-6Encourages trust in the LORD for guidance and success, reflecting David's reliance on God. Acts 7:9-10Stephen recounts how God was with Joseph, drawing a parallel to God's presence with David. Matthew 28:20Jesus promises to be with His followers always, echoing the theme of divine presence and support. People Adriel, David, Jonathan, Merab, Michal, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Acting, Behaved, David, Prospered, Prospering, Success, Undertakings, WiselyDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 18:14 6650 finding 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 18:14 NIV1 Samuel 18:14 NLT1 Samuel 18:14 ESV1 Samuel 18:14 NASB1 Samuel 18:14 KJV
1 Samuel 18:14 Commentaries
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