And Saul was furious and resented this song. "They have ascribed tens of thousands to David," he said, "but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom?" And Saul was furious and resented this song.Saul's anger reflects his growing insecurity and jealousy towards David. This moment marks a turning point in Saul's relationship with David, as the king's fear of losing his power becomes evident. The song that incites Saul's fury is a celebration of David's military victories, highlighting the cultural practice of women singing and dancing to honor warriors returning from battle ( 1 Samuel 18:6-7). Saul's reaction is rooted in his awareness of God's favor shifting from him to David, as previously indicated by Samuel's prophecy ( 1 Samuel 15:28). “They have ascribed tens of thousands to David,” he said,
The phrase "tens of thousands" is a hyperbolic expression used to emphasize David's success and popularity. In the ancient Near Eastern context, such exaggerations were common in songs and poetry to honor heroes. This public recognition of David's achievements exacerbates Saul's fear and jealousy, as it suggests that David is more esteemed by the people than the king himself. This echoes the earlier anointing of David by Samuel, where David is chosen by God to be the future king (1 Samuel 16:12-13). “but only thousands to me.
Saul's comparison of the numbers highlights his perceived diminishing status and the threat he feels from David's rising fame. The contrast between "tens of thousands" and "thousands" underscores Saul's insecurity and the shift in public favor. This sentiment is a reflection of Saul's failure to fully obey God, leading to his rejection as king (1 Samuel 15:22-23). Saul's focus on numbers reveals his reliance on human approval rather than divine favor. What more can he have but the kingdom?”
Saul's rhetorical question reveals his fear that David will usurp his throne. This fear is not unfounded, as David has already been anointed by Samuel as the future king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:1-13). Saul's statement foreshadows the eventual transfer of kingship to David, aligning with God's plan. The tension between Saul and David is a recurring theme, illustrating the struggle between human authority and divine will. This moment also prefigures the ultimate kingship of Jesus Christ, who, like David, is initially rejected but ultimately reigns as the true King. Persons / Places / Events 1. SaulThe first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. Saul's reign is marked by his initial obedience to God, followed by disobedience and jealousy, particularly towards David. 2. DavidA young shepherd who was anointed by Samuel to be the future king of Israel. Known for his faith in God, David becomes a successful warrior and gains popularity among the people. 3. The SongA celebratory song sung by the women of Israel after David's victory over Goliath and subsequent military successes. The song praises David's achievements, which incites Saul's jealousy. 4. IsraelThe nation over which Saul is king. The people of Israel are witnessing the rise of David as a national hero. 5. The KingdomRefers to the kingdom of Israel, which Saul fears David will take from him due to his growing popularity and success. Teaching Points The Dangers of JealousyJealousy can lead to irrational thoughts and actions, as seen in Saul's reaction to David's success. Believers are called to guard their hearts against envy and to celebrate others' achievements. God's Sovereignty in LeadershipDespite Saul's attempts to maintain control, God's plan for David to become king prevails. Trust in God's sovereignty and timing, even when circumstances seem unfavorable. The Importance of HumilitySaul's pride and desire for recognition lead to his downfall. In contrast, David's humility and reliance on God are key to his success. Embrace humility and seek God's approval above human praise. The Power of WordsThe song sung by the women of Israel, though intended to celebrate, becomes a source of division. Be mindful of how words can impact others and strive to speak life and encouragement. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Saul's reaction to the song reflect his spiritual state and relationship with God? 2. In what ways can jealousy manifest in our own lives, and how can we combat it with Scripture? 3. How does David's response to Saul's jealousy demonstrate his character and faith in God? 4. What lessons can we learn from Saul's downfall about the importance of obedience and humility? 5. How can we apply the principle of celebrating others' successes in our personal and professional lives? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 15Saul's disobedience to God's command leads to his rejection as king, setting the stage for David's rise. 1 Samuel 16David is anointed by Samuel, indicating God's choice of him as the future king. 1 Samuel 17David's victory over Goliath, which contributes to his growing fame and Saul's jealousy. Proverbs 27:4Discusses the destructive nature of jealousy, which is evident in Saul's attitude towards David. James 3:16Highlights the chaos and evil that result from envy and selfish ambition, reflecting Saul's behavior. People Adriel, David, Jonathan, Merab, Michal, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Angry, Ascribed, Credit, Credited, David, Displeased, Displeasing, Evil, Exceedingly, Galled, Kingdom, Lacketh, Myriads, Refrain, Saul, Saying, Sight, Ten, Tens, Thousands, Unpleasing, WrothDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 18:8 5791 anger, human
5964 temper 1 Samuel 18:6-8 8733 envy 1 Samuel 18:6-9 7236 Israel, united kingdom
8773 jealousy 1 Samuel 18:6-12 5890 insecurity 1 Samuel 18:6-15 5965 temperament 1 Samuel 18:7-8 1656 numbers, combinations 1 Samuel 18:7-9 5937 rivalry 1 Samuel 18:8-9 6109 alienation
8796 persecution, forms of
8800 prejudice 1 Samuel 18:8-11 5568 suffering, causes 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 18:8 NIV1 Samuel 18:8 NLT1 Samuel 18:8 ESV1 Samuel 18:8 NASB1 Samuel 18:8 KJV
1 Samuel 18:8 Commentaries
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