Saul's Growing Jealousy
1 Samuel 18
David's popularity after defeating Goliath, celebrated in a song crediting him above Saul, stirs Saul's fear and jealousy; Saul gives David his daughter Melchol in marriage after demanding a hundred Philistine foreskins as a bride price, hoping David will fall in battle, but David succeeds and Saul grows still more afraid of him.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
6
ThomsonNow when the choirs of women came out from all the cities of Israel to meet David, dancing to timbrels, and singing songs of triumph, accompanied with cymbals,
BrentonAnd there came out women in dances to meet David out of all the cities of Israel, with timbrels, and with rejoicing, and with cymbals.
GreekΚαὶ ἐξῆλθον αἱ χορεύουσαι εἰς συνάντησιν Δαυὶδ ἐκ πασῶν πόλεων Ἰσραὴλ ἐν τυμπάνοις, καὶ ἐν χαρμοσύνῃ, καὶ ἐν κυμβάλοις.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd it came to pass as they came, when David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with timbrels, with joy, and with three-stringed instruments.
7
Thomsonand in responsive strains, [sang and] said, Saul hath slain his thousands; And David his ten thousands,
BrentonAnd the women began the strain, and said, Saul has smitten his thousands, and David his ten thousands.
GreekΚαὶ ἐξῆρχον αἱ γυναῖκες, καὶ ἔλεγον, ἐπάταξε Σαοὺλ ἐν χιλιάσιν αὐτοῦ, καὶ Δαυὶδ ἐν μυριάσιν αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.
JPSAnd the women sang one to another in their play, and said: Saul hath slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.
8
Thomsonthe thing appeared evil in the eyes of Saul, because of this expression; and he said, The ten thousands they have ascribed to David; and to me they have ascribed thousands. And what more can he have but the kingdom?
BrentonAnd it seemed evil in the eyes of Saul concerning this matter, and he said, To David they have given ten thousands, and to me they have given thousands.
GreekΚαὶ πονηρὸν ἐφάνη τὸ ῥῆμα ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς Σαοὺλ περὶ τοῦ λόγου τούτου, καὶ εἶπε, τῷ Δαυὶδ ἔδωκαν τὰς μυριάδας, καὶ ἐμοὶ ἔδωκαν τὰς χιλιάδας.
KJVAnd Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?
JPSAnd Saul was very wroth, and this saying displeased him; and he said: ‘They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands; and all he lacketh is the kingdom! ’
12
ThomsonAnd Saul became afraid of David,
BrentonAnd Saul was alarmed on account of David.
GreekΚαὶ ἐφοβήθη Σαοὺλ ἀπὸ προσώπου Δαυὶδ,
KJVAnd Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.
JPSAnd Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.
13
Thomsonand removed him from about his person, and made him a captain over a thousand, and he went out and came in before the people.
BrentonAnd he removed him from him, and made him a captain of a thousand for himself; and he went out and came in before the people.
Greekκαὶ ἀπέστησεν αὐτὸν ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ, καὶ κατέστησεν αὐτὸν ἑαυτῷ χιλίαρχον· καὶ ἐξεπορεύετο καὶ εἰσεπορεύετο ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ λαοῦ.
KJVTherefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.
JPSTherefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.
14
ThomsonAnd David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him.
BrentonAnd David was prudent in all his ways, and the Lord was with him.
GreekΚαὶ ἦν Δαυὶδ ἐν πάσαις ταῖς ὁδοῖς αὐτοῦ συνιῶν, καὶ Κύριος ἦν μετʼ αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.
JPSAnd David had great success in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.
15
ThomsonAnd when Saul saw with what great wisdom he conducted himself, he was afraid of him;
BrentonAnd Saul saw that he was very wise, and he was afraid of him.
GreekΚαὶ εἶδε Σαοὺλ ὡς αὐτὸς συνιεῖ σφόδρα, καὶ εὐλαβεῖτο ἀπὸ προσώπου αὐτοῦ.
KJVWherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.
JPSAnd when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in awe of him.
16
Thomsonbut all Israel and Juda loved David, because he went out and came in before the people.
BrentonAnd all Israel and Juda loved David, because he came in and went out before the people.
GreekΚαὶ πᾶς Ἰσραὴλ καὶ Ἰούδας ἠγάπα τὸν Δαυὶδ, ὅτι αὐτὸς εἰσεπορεύετο καὶ ἐξεπορεύετο πρὸ προσώπου τοῦ λαοῦ.
KJVBut all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.
JPSBut all Israel and Judah loved David; for he went out and came in before them.
20
ThomsonAnd Melchol, the daughter of Saul, fell in love with David. When this was told Saul, it was well pleasing in his sight,
BrentonAnd Melchol the daughter of Saul loved David; and it was told Saul, and the thing was pleasing in his eyes.
GreekΚαὶ ἠγάπησε Μελχὸλ ἡ θυγάτηρ Σαοὺλ τὸν Δαυίδ· καὶ ἀπηγγέλη τῷ Σαοὺλ, καὶ ηὐθύνθη ἐν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd Michal Saul’s daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him.
JPSAnd Michal Saul’s daughter loved David; and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him.
21
Thomsonand Saul said, I will give her to him, that she may be a snare to him. Now the hand of the Philistines was against Saul,
BrentonAnd Saul said, I will give her to him, and she shall be a stumbling-block to him. Now the hand of the Philistines was against Saul.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαοὺλ, δώσω αὐτὴν αὐτῷ, καὶ ἔσται αὐτῷ εἰς σκάνδαλον· καὶ ἦν ἐπὶ Σαοὺλ χεὶρ ἀλλοφύλων.
KJVAnd Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.
JPSAnd Saul said: ‘I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.’ Wherefore Saul said to David: ‘Thou shalt this day be my son-in-law through the one of the twain.’
22
Thomsontherefore Saul gave orders to his servants, saying, Speak privately to David, and say, Behold the king is well pleased with thee; and all his servants love thee, therefore thou must be the king’s son-in-law.
BrentonAnd Saul charged his servants, saying, Speak ye privately to David, saying, Behold, the king delights in thee, and all his servants love thee, and do thou become the king's son-in-law.
GreekΚαὶ ἐνετείλατο Σαοὺλ τοῖς παισὶν αὐτοῦ, λέγων, λαλήσατε ὑμεῖς λάθρα τῷ Δαυὶδ, λέγοντες, ἰδοὺ θέλει ἐν σοὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς, καὶ πάντες οἱ παῖδες αὐτοῦ ἀγαπῶσί σε, καὶ σὺ ἐπιγάμβρευσον τῷ βασιλεῖ.
KJVAnd Saul commanded his servants, saying, Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the king’s son in law.
JPSAnd Saul commanded his servants: ‘Speak with David secretly, and say: Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee; now therefore be the king’s son-in-law.’
23
ThomsonBut when the servants of Saul rehearsed these words in the hearing of David, David said, Is it a light matter in your eyes to be son-in-law to a king? As for me, I am a man of humble condition, and not entitled to honour.
BrentonAnd the servants of Saul spoke these words in the ears of David; and David said, Is it a light thing in your eyes to become son-in-law to the king? whereas I am an humble man, and not honourable?
GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησαν οἱ παῖδες Σαοὺλ εἰς τὰ ὦτα Δαυὶδ τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα· καὶ εἶπε Δαυὶδ, εἰ κούφον ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ὑμῶν ἐπιγαμβρεῦσαι βασιλεῖ; κᾀγὼ ἀνὴρ ταπεινὸς, καὶ οὐχὶ ἔνδοξος.
KJVAnd Saul’s servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king’s son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?
JPSAnd Saul’s servants spoke those words in the ears of David. And David said: ‘Seemeth it to you a light thing to be the king’s son-in-law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?’
24
ThomsonAnd when Saul’s servants told him the words which David had spoken,
BrentonAnd the servants of Saul reported to him according to these words, which David spoke.
GreekΚαὶ ἀπήγγειλαν οἱ παῖδες Σαοὺλ αὐτῷ κατὰ τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα, ἃ ἐλάλησε Δαυίδ.
KJVAnd the servants of Saul told him, saying, On this manner spake David.
JPSAnd the servants of Saul told him, saying: ‘On this manner spoke David.’
25
ThomsonSaul said, Thus shall you say to David, The king desireth no other dowry, but a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king’s enemies. Now Saul thought to throw him into the hands of the Philistines.
BrentonAnd Saul said, Thus shall ye speak to David, The king wants no gift but a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to avenge himself on the king's enemies. Now Saul thought to cast him into the hands of the Philistines.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαοὺλ, τάδε ἐρεῖτε τῷ Δαυὶδ, οὐ βούλεται ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐν δόματι ἀλλʼ ἢ ἐν ἑκατὸν ἀκροβυστίαις ἀλλοφύλων ἐκδικῆσαι ἐχθροὺς τοῦ βασιλέως· καὶ Σαοὺλ ἐλογίσατο ἐμβαλεῖν αὐτὸν εἰς χεῖρας τῶν ἀλλοφύλων.
KJVAnd Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king’s enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.
JPSAnd Saul said: ‘Thus shall ye say to David: The king desireth not any dowry, but a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king’s enemies.’ For Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.
26
ThomsonWhen Saul’s servants told David these words, the condition on which he was to be the king’s son-in-law, pleased David.
BrentonAnd the servants of Saul report these words to David, and David was well pleased to become the son-in-law to the king.
GreekΚαὶ ἀπαγγέλλουσιν οἱ παῖδες Σαοὺλ τῷ Δαυὶδ τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα, καὶ ηὐθύνθη ὁ λόγος ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς Δαυὶδ ἐπιγαμβρεῦσαι τῷ βασιλεῖ.
KJVAnd when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king’s son in law: and the days were not expired.
JPSAnd when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king’s son-in-law. And the days were not expired;
27
ThomsonTherefore he arose and went with his men, and smote among the Philistines a hundred men, and brought their foreskins, and contracted to be the king’s son-in-law, and he gave him his daughter Melchol to wife.
BrentonAnd David arose, and went, he and his men, and smote among the Philistines a hundred men: and he brought their foreskins, and he becomes the king's son-in-law, and Saul gives him Melchol his daughter to wife.
GreekΚαὶ ἀνέστη Δαυὶδ, καὶ ἐπορεύθη αὐτὸς καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπάταξεν ἐν τοῖς ἀλλοφύλοις ἑκατὸν ἄνδρας· καὶ ἀνήνεγκε τὰς ἀκροβυστίας αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐπιγαμβρεύεται τῷ βασιλεῖ, καὶ δίδωσιν αὐτῷ τὴν Μελχὸλ θυγατέρα αὐτοῦ αὐτῷ εἰς γυναῖκα.
KJVWherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king’s son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife.
JPSand David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full number to the king, that he might be the king’s son-in-law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife.
28
ThomsonBut when Saul saw that the Lord was with David, and that all Israel loved him,
BrentonAnd Saul saw that the Lord was with David, and that all Israel loved him.
GreekΚαὶ εἶδε Σαοὺλ ὅτι Κύριος μετὰ Δαυὶδ, καὶ πᾶς Ἰσραὴλ ἠγάπα αὐτόν.
KJVAnd Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul’s daughter loved him.
JPSAnd Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David; and Michal Saul’s daughter loved him.
29
Thomson—
BrentonAnd he was yet more afraid of David.
GreekΚαὶ προσέθετο εὐλαβεῖσθαι ἀπὸ Δαυὶδ ἔτι.
KJVAnd Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David’s enemy continually.
JPSAnd Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul was David’s enemy continually.