Then 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.'" Then Saul ordered his servantsThis phrase indicates a direct command from King Saul, reflecting his authority and the hierarchical structure of ancient Israelite society. The Hebrew word for "ordered" (צִוָּה, tzivah) conveys a sense of command or charge, often used in contexts where obedience is expected. Saul's use of his servants to convey his message suggests a strategic move, as he seeks to manipulate the situation without direct confrontation. Speak to David privately
The instruction to speak "privately" (בַּסֵּתֶר, baseter) implies a secretive or confidential approach. This reflects Saul's cunning nature, as he attempts to influence David without public scrutiny. The use of private communication in ancient times often indicated matters of personal or political sensitivity, highlighting Saul's ulterior motives. and tell him, ‘The king is pleased with you
Saul's message that "the king is pleased" (חָפֵץ, chafetz) with David is laden with irony. While the word suggests delight or favor, Saul's true intentions are far from genuine. Historically, this reflects the complex relationship between Saul and David, where outward expressions of favor mask underlying jealousy and fear. and all his servants love you
The claim that "all his servants love you" (אֹהֲבִים, ohavim) serves to flatter David and create a sense of belonging and acceptance within the royal court. The Hebrew root for love (אהב, ahav) is often used to denote deep affection or loyalty, yet in this context, it is part of Saul's deceptive strategy to ensnare David. Now become his son-in-law
The proposal for David to "become his son-in-law" (חֲתָן, chatan) is a significant political maneuver. In ancient Israel, marriage alliances were common means of securing loyalty and strengthening political ties. Saul's offer is not merely a gesture of goodwill but a calculated attempt to bind David to him, while also placing him in a vulnerable position within the royal family. Persons / Places / Events 1. SaulThe first king of Israel, who becomes increasingly jealous of David's success and popularity. 2. DavidA young shepherd anointed by God to be the future king of Israel, known for his faithfulness and courage. 3. Saul's ServantsIndividuals who serve King Saul and are tasked with conveying his messages to David. 4. The Royal CourtThe setting where Saul's servants interact with David, representing the political and social dynamics of the time. 5. Marriage ProposalSaul's deceptive offer to David to become his son-in-law, which is part of a larger scheme to ensnare David. Teaching Points Discernment in RelationshipsBe aware of the intentions behind others' words and actions. Not everyone who speaks kindly has your best interests at heart. God's Protection and FavorDespite human schemes, God's plans for His people prevail. David's life is a testament to God's protection and favor. Integrity in AdversityMaintain integrity and faithfulness even when faced with deceit and manipulation. David's response to Saul's schemes reflects his trust in God. The Danger of JealousySaul's jealousy leads to destructive behavior. Guard your heart against envy, which can distort your actions and relationships. Wisdom in Decision-MakingSeek God's wisdom in making decisions, especially when opportunities seem too good to be true. David's cautious approach serves as a model. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Saul's behavior towards David in 1 Samuel 18:22 reflect the dangers of jealousy and insecurity? Can you identify similar patterns in your own life or in the world today? 2. In what ways does David demonstrate discernment and wisdom in his interactions with Saul and his servants? How can you apply this discernment in your own relationships? 3. Reflect on a time when you faced deceit or manipulation. How did you respond, and what biblical principles can guide you in similar situations in the future? 4. How does the account of David and Saul illustrate the concept of God's sovereignty and protection over His chosen ones? Can you think of other biblical examples where God protected His people from harm? 5. Consider the role of Saul's servants in this account. How can we ensure that we are not unwittingly participating in someone else's deceitful plans? What steps can we take to align our actions with God's truth? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 18:17-21Provides context for Saul's manipulative intentions, as he previously offered his daughter Merab to David, only to give her to another man. 1 Samuel 18:28-29Highlights Saul's growing fear and enmity towards David, despite his outward gestures of favor. Proverbs 26:24-26Warns about deceitful speech and hidden motives, which parallels Saul's actions towards David. Matthew 10:16Jesus advises His followers to be "shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves," a principle David exemplifies in navigating Saul's schemes. People Adriel, David, Jonathan, Merab, Michal, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Attendants, Behold, Commanded, David, Delight, King's, Love, Ordered, Pleased, Privately, Saul, Saying, Secretly, Servants, Son-in-law, Speak, TalkDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 18:22 5921 privacy 1 Samuel 18:17-25 8720 double-mindedness 1 Samuel 18:17-27 5695 girls 1 Samuel 18:17-29 5890 insecurity 1 Samuel 18:18-27 5738 sons 1 Samuel 18:20-23 5910 motives, examples 1 Samuel 18:20-27 5659 bride 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 18:22 NIV1 Samuel 18:22 NLT1 Samuel 18:22 ESV1 Samuel 18:22 NASB1 Samuel 18:22 KJV
1 Samuel 18:22 Commentaries
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