1 Samuel 16:18 One of the servants answered, "I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a mighty man of valor, a warrior, eloquent and handsome, and the LORD is with him."

Bible > 1 Samuel > Chapter 16 > Verse 18

◄ 1 Samuel 16:18 ►

New International Version
One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him.”

New Living Translation
One of the servants said to Saul, “One of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem is a talented harp player. Not only that—he is a brave warrior, a man of war, and has good judgment. He is also a fine-looking young man, and the LORD is with him.”

English Standard Version
One of the young men answered, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the LORD is with him.”

Berean Standard Bible
One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a mighty man of valor, a warrior, eloquent and handsome, and the LORD is with him.”

King James Bible
Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.

New King James Version
Then one of the servants answered and said, “Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the LORD is with him.”

New American Standard Bible
Then one of the young men responded and said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a valiant mighty man, a warrior, skillful in speech, and a handsome man; and the LORD is with him.”

NASB 1995
Then one of the young men said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a mighty man of valor, a warrior, one prudent in speech, and a handsome man; and the LORD is with him.”

NASB 1977
Then one of the young men answered and said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a mighty man of valor, a warrior, one prudent in speech, and a handsome man; and the LORD is with him.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then one of the young men answered and said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a mighty man of valor, a warrior, one who is understanding in speech, and man of fine form; and Yahweh is with him.”

Amplified Bible
One of the young men said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a brave and competent man, a warrior, discerning (prudent, eloquent) in speech, and a handsome man; and the LORD is with him.”

Christian Standard Bible
One of the young men answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is also a valiant man, a warrior, eloquent, handsome, and the LORD is with him.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
One of the young men answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is also a valiant man, a warrior, eloquent, handsome, and the LORD is with him.”

American Standard Version
Then answered one of the young men, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite, that is skilful in playing, and a mighty man of valor, and a man of war, and prudent in speech, and a comely person; and Jehovah is with him.

Contemporary English Version
"A man named Jesse who lives in Bethlehem has a son who can play the harp," one official said. "He's a brave warrior, he's good-looking, he can speak well, and the LORD is with him."

English Revised Version
Then answered one of the young men, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty man of valour, and a man of war, and prudent in speech, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
One of the officials said, "I know one of Jesse's sons from Bethlehem who can play well. He's a courageous man and a warrior. He has a way with words, he is handsome, and the LORD is with him."

Good News Translation
One of his attendants said, "Jesse of the town of Bethlehem has a son who is a good musician. He is also a brave and handsome man, a good soldier, and an able speaker. The LORD is with him."

International Standard Version
One of the young men answered: "Look, I've seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is skilled in playing. The man is a valiant soldier, gifted in speech, and handsome. And the LORD is with him."

Majority Standard Bible
One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a mighty man of valor, a warrior, eloquent and handsome, and the LORD is with him.”

NET Bible
One of his attendants replied, "I have seen a son of Jesse in Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave warrior and is articulate and handsome, for the LORD is with him."

New Heart English Bible
Then one of the young men answered, and said, "Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is playing, and a mighty man of valor, and a warrior, and articulate in speech, and a handsome man; and the LORD is with him."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite, that is skillful in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.

World English Bible
Then one of the young men answered and said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and Yahweh is with him.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And one of the servants answers and says, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-Lehemite, skillful in playing, and a mighty, virtuous man, and a man of battle, and intelligent in word, and a man of form, and YHWH [is] with him.”

Young's Literal Translation
And one of the servants answereth and saith, 'Lo, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-Lehemite, skilful in playing, and a mighty virtuous man, and a man of battle, and intelligent in word, and a man of form, and Jehovah is with him.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And one of his boys will answer and say, I saw a son to Jesse of the House of Bread, knowing to play, mighty of strength, and a man of war, and discerning the word, and a man of figure, and Jehovah with him.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And one of the servants answering, said: Behold I have seen a son of Isai the Bethlehemite, a skilful player, and one of great strength, and a man fit for war, and prudent in his words, and a comely person: and the Lord is with him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And one of the servants, responding, said: “Behold, I have seen the son of Jesse of Bethlehem, a skillful player, and very strong and robust, a man fit for war, and prudent in words, a handsome man. And the Lord is with him.”

New American Bible
One of the servants spoke up: “I have observed that a son of Jesse of Bethlehem is a skillful harpist. He is also a brave warrior, an able speaker, and a handsome young man. The LORD is certainly with him.”

New Revised Standard Version
One of the young men answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a warrior, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence; and the LORD is with him.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Then one of the young men answered and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite, who is skilful in playing and a mighty valiant man, a man of war and prudent in speech, a handsome man, and the LORD is with him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And one of the young men answered and said: “Behold, I have seen a son of Iyshay who is from Bayth Lekhem, and he knows how to play and is mighty of his power, and the man is a warrior and is discerning of mind, and his appearance is handsome and LORD JEHOVAH is with him”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Then answered one of the young men, and said: 'Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite, that is skilful in playing, and a mighty man of valour, and a man of war, and prudent in affairs, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And one of his servants answered and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jessae the Bethleemite, and he understands playing on the harp, and the man is prudent, and a warrior, and wise in speech, and the man is handsome, and the Lord is with him.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

David Serves Saul
…17And Saul commanded his servants, “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him to me.” 18One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a mighty man of valor, a warrior, eloquent and handsome, and the LORD is with him.” 19So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Psalm 78:70-72
He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds; / from tending the ewes He brought him to be shepherd of His people Jacob, of Israel His inheritance. / So David shepherded them with integrity of heart and guided them with skillful hands.

1 Samuel 17:34-37
David replied, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, / I went after it, struck it down, and delivered the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it. / Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” ...

1 Samuel 13:14
But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler over His people, because you have not kept the command of the LORD.”

2 Samuel 23:1
These are the last words of David: “The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man raised on high, the one anointed by the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel:

1 Chronicles 11:2
Even in times past, while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And the LORD your God said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’”

1 Chronicles 16:7
On that day David first committed to Asaph and his associates this song of thanksgiving to the LORD:

1 Chronicles 25:1
Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service:

2 Chronicles 29:25
Hezekiah stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres according to the command of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet. For the command had come from the LORD through His prophets.

Psalm 89:20
I have found My servant David; with My sacred oil I have anointed him.

Psalm 23:1
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 144:1
Of David. Blessed be the LORD, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.

Acts 13:22
After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’

Acts 13:36
For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep. His body was buried with his fathers and saw decay.

Matthew 1:1
This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham:

Luke 3:31
the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,

Treasury of Scripture

Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.

a mighty

1 Samuel 17:32-36
And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine…

2 Samuel 17:8,10
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…

and prudent

2 Samuel 14:20
To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.

matters.

1 Samuel 17:12
Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.

the Lord

1 Samuel 3:19
And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.

1 Samuel 10:7
And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee.

1 Samuel 18:12-14
And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul…

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1 Samuel 16

1. Samuel sent by God, under pretense of a sacrifice, comes to Bethlehem
6. His human judgment is reproved
11. He anoints David
15. Saul sends for David to quiet his evil spirit

Berean Study Bible

One of the servants answered
This phrase introduces the response of a servant in Saul's court. The Hebrew word for "servant" is "na'ar," which can mean a young man or attendant. This indicates the presence of attentive and observant individuals in the royal court, highlighting the importance of being vigilant and ready to provide counsel or information when needed.

I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem
The servant identifies David as a "son of Jesse," emphasizing his lineage and connection to Bethlehem. Bethlehem, known as the "House of Bread," is significant in biblical history as the birthplace of David and later Jesus Christ. This phrase underscores the providential selection of David, rooted in a humble and seemingly insignificant town, yet destined for greatness.

who knows how to play the harp
The ability to play the harp suggests not only musical talent but also a cultural and spiritual depth. In ancient Israel, music was often associated with worship and prophecy. The Hebrew word for "harp" is "kinnor," an instrument used in both secular and sacred contexts. David's skill in music foreshadows his role as the composer of many Psalms, which continue to inspire worship and devotion.

He is a brave man and a warrior
This description highlights David's courage and military prowess. The Hebrew word for "brave" is "gibbor," often used to describe mighty or valiant men. David's bravery is not just physical but also spiritual, as he later demonstrates in his faith-driven confrontation with Goliath. His warrior status is a testament to his leadership qualities and God's preparation for his future role as king.

He speaks well
The ability to speak well indicates wisdom and eloquence. In Hebrew, the phrase suggests someone who is articulate and persuasive. This quality is essential for leadership, as it enables effective communication and the ability to inspire and guide others. David's eloquence is later evident in his psalms and his interactions with others throughout his life.

and is a fine-looking man
Physical appearance is noted here, which in biblical times often symbolized favor and blessing. While outward appearance is not the most important trait, it can reflect inner qualities and God's favor. David's appearance, combined with his other attributes, makes him an ideal candidate for leadership in the eyes of those around him.

and the LORD is with him
This is the most crucial aspect of David's character. The presence of the LORD, or "Yahweh," signifies divine favor and guidance. In the Hebrew context, God's presence is synonymous with success, protection, and blessing. This phrase assures that David's abilities and qualities are not merely human but are enhanced and directed by God's sovereign will. It foreshadows David's anointing as king and his role in God's redemptive plan for Israel.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(18) Then answered one of the servants.--The Dean of Canterbury calls attention to the fact that the word in the original here rendered "servants" is not the same as was translated by "servants" in 1Samuel 16:15-17. In each of these passages the Hebrew word rendered "servant," no doubt signifies officers connected with the royal court. Here the different word hann'-?rim lays stress on the royal attendant in question being a young man. Probably, the one spoken of in this place was a contemporary of David, very likely a youth trained with David in Samuel's prophetic school at Naioth in Ramah, and consequently able to speak thus in detail about the young shepherd pupil of the great seer.

Cunning in playing.--As a boy, it is certain that David possessed rare gifts of poetry, and, no doubt, of music. It is probable that some of his early Psalms were originally composed while watching his father's sheep among those hills and vales round the village of Bethlehem, where "in later centuries shepherds were still watching over their flocks by night, when the angel host appeared to them to tell them of the birth of a child in Bethlehem."

These gifts of poetry and music were further cultivated and developed in the prophets' school of Samuel, and there the young pupil of the seer no doubt quickly acquired among his companions that reputation and skill which induced the "young man" of the court of Saul to tell his afflicted master of the shepherd son of Jesse, famous for his "cunning in playing."

And a mighty valiant man, and a man of war.--The description of the Bethlehemite David at a mighty valiant man can well be explained from what is related in 1Samuel 17:34-35, about the young shepherd's prowess in the conflicts with the lions and the bears. A question has, however, been raised respecting the expression "a man of war," as it would seem from the narrative of 1 Samuel 17 that the combat with the giant Philistine was David's first great military exploit. It has, however, been suggested that, in addition to the combat with those wild beasts, which we know in those days frequented the thickets of the Jordan, and were a terror to the Israelitish shepherds, David had most likely been engaged in repelling one or more of the Philistine marauding expeditions so common in those wild days. Bethlehem, we know, was a strong place or garrison of these hereditary foes of Israel. (See 2Samuel 23:14; 1Chronicles 11:16.) . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

One
אֶחָ֨ד (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

of the servants
מֵהַנְּעָרִ֜ים (mê·han·nə·‘ā·rîm)
Preposition-m, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

answered,
וַיַּעַן֩ (way·ya·‘an)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

“I have seen
רָאִ֜יתִי (rā·’î·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7200: To see

a son
בֵּ֣ן (bên)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

of Jesse
לְיִשַׁי֮ (lə·yi·šay)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3448: Jesse -- father of David

of Bethlehem
הַלַּחְמִי֒ (hal·laḥ·mî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1022: Bethlehemite -- a Beth-lechemite

who knows
יֹדֵ֣עַ (yō·ḏê·a‘)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

how to play [the harp].
נַ֠גֵּן (nag·gên)
Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5059: To touch or play a stringed instrument

He is a mighty
וְגִבּ֨וֹר (wə·ḡib·bō·wr)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1368: Powerful, warrior, tyrant

man of valor,
חַ֜יִל (ḥa·yil)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2428: A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

a warrior,
וְאִ֧ישׁ (wə·’îš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

eloquent
וּנְב֥וֹן (ū·nə·ḇō·wn)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 995: To separate mentally, understand

and handsome,
תֹּ֑אַר (tō·’ar)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8389: Outline, figure, appearance

and the LORD
וַיהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

is with him.”
עִמּֽוֹ׃ (‘im·mōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

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OT History: 1 Samuel 16:18 Then answered one of the young men (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)