As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other instruments. As the troops were returning home after David had killed the PhilistineThis phrase refers to the aftermath of David's victory over Goliath, a pivotal moment in Israel's history. David's triumph over the Philistine giant is a demonstration of God's power working through unlikely individuals. This event marks the beginning of David's rise to prominence in Israel. The Philistines were a constant threat to Israel, and David's victory was a significant military and spiritual triumph. This victory also foreshadows the ultimate victory of Jesus Christ over sin and death, as David is a type of Christ, representing the unexpected deliverer chosen by God. the women came out of all the cities of Israel
In ancient Israel, it was customary for women to celebrate military victories with music and dance. This public display of joy and gratitude highlights the communal nature of Israelite society and the role of women in celebrating God's deliverance. The mention of "all the cities" indicates the widespread impact of David's victory and the unity it brought to the nation. This celebration can be compared to the rejoicing in Exodus 15:20-21, where Miriam and the women of Israel celebrated the defeat of the Egyptians. to meet King Saul
King Saul was the reigning monarch of Israel at this time. The people's celebration was directed towards Saul as the leader of the nation, even though David was the one who achieved the victory. This reflects the hierarchical structure of Israelite society and the expectation that the king would lead and deliver the people. However, this moment also foreshadows the tension that will arise between Saul and David, as Saul's jealousy of David's success begins to grow. with singing and dancing
Singing and dancing were common expressions of joy and celebration in ancient Israel. These activities were often part of religious and communal festivities, as seen in other biblical passages such as Exodus 15:20 and Judges 11:34. The use of music and dance in worship and celebration underscores the importance of these art forms in expressing devotion and gratitude to God. with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other instruments
The use of musical instruments like tambourines in celebrations is well-documented in the Bible. Instruments were used to enhance the expression of joy and to create a festive atmosphere. This celebration with music and instruments is reminiscent of other biblical events, such as the celebration of the Ark of the Covenant's return in 2 Samuel 6:5. The joyful songs and instruments signify the people's recognition of God's hand in their victory and their desire to honor Him through worship. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidA young shepherd who became a hero in Israel after defeating Goliath, the Philistine giant. His victory marked the beginning of his rise to prominence in Israel. 2. King SaulThe first king of Israel, who initially welcomed David but later became jealous of his popularity and success. 3. The PhilistineRefers to Goliath, the giant warrior whom David defeated, leading to a significant victory for Israel. 4. The Women of IsraelThey came out to celebrate the victory with singing and dancing, a common cultural expression of joy and triumph in ancient Israel. 5. Cities of IsraelThe various towns and cities from which the women came to celebrate the victory, indicating the widespread impact of David's triumph. Teaching Points The Power of Praise and CelebrationCelebrating victories and expressing gratitude through song and dance is a biblical tradition that acknowledges God's hand in our successes. The Role of Women in Biblical CelebrationsWomen played a significant role in expressing communal joy and thanksgiving, highlighting their importance in the spiritual and cultural life of Israel. The Seeds of JealousyThe celebration of David's victory inadvertently sowed seeds of jealousy in Saul's heart, reminding us to guard against envy when others are celebrated. Community and Unity in VictoryThe collective celebration by the women from all cities of Israel underscores the importance of unity and community in times of triumph. The Impact of Leadership and HeroismDavid's victory and the subsequent celebration demonstrate how godly leadership and acts of faith can inspire and unite a nation. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the celebration in 1 Samuel 18:6 reflect the cultural practices of ancient Israel, and what can we learn from this about expressing gratitude today? 2. In what ways can we guard our hearts against jealousy when others are celebrated, as seen in Saul's reaction in the following verses? 3. How does the role of women in this passage challenge or affirm our understanding of their contributions to spiritual and communal life? 4. What are some modern-day "victories" in our lives that we can celebrate as a community, and how can we ensure that God is glorified in these celebrations? 5. How does David's leadership and faith in God inspire us to face our own "giants," and what practical steps can we take to emulate his example? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 17Provides the background of David's victory over Goliath, setting the stage for the events in 1 Samuel 18:6. 1 Samuel 18:7-9Describes the song of the women and Saul's subsequent jealousy, which is a turning point in Saul and David's relationship. Exodus 15:20-21Miriam and the women of Israel celebrate the defeat of the Egyptians with song and dance, similar to the celebration in 1 Samuel 18:6. Judges 11:34Jephthah's daughter comes out with tambourines and dancing to meet her father, illustrating a cultural tradition of celebrating victories. People Adriel, David, Jonathan, Merab, Michal, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Cities, Dancers, Dances, Dancing, David, David's, Destruction, Home, Instruments, Joy, Joyful, Killed, Killing, Lutes, Meet, Meeting, Melody, Music, Musical, Pass, Philistine, Returned, Returning, Saul, Sing, Singing, Slaughter, Slaying, Smiting, Songs, Tabrets, Tambourines, Tambours, Three-stringed, Timbrels, Towns, Triangles, WomenDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 18:6 5387 leisure, pastimes
5740 virgin
8287 joy, experience 1 Samuel 18:6-7 5287 dance
5420 music
5421 musical instruments
5861 favour, human
7963 song 1 Samuel 18:6-8 8733 envy 1 Samuel 18:6-9 7236 Israel, united kingdom
8773 jealousy
8830 suspicion 1 Samuel 18:6-12 5890 insecurity 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 18:6 NIV1 Samuel 18:6 NLT1 Samuel 18:6 ESV1 Samuel 18:6 NASB1 Samuel 18:6 KJV
1 Samuel 18:6 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
