1 Samuel 18:7
5 So David marched out and prospered in everything Saul sent him to do, and Saul set him over the men of war. And this was pleasing in the sight of all the people, and of Saul’s officers as well.
6 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.
And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”
8 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?”
9 And from that day forward Saul kept a jealous eye on David.
Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”
- KJV
- And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.
- WEB
- The women sang to one another as they played, and said, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”
- ASV
- And the women sang one to another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.
- DARBY
- And the women answered [one another] as they played, and said, Saul hath smitten his thousands, And David his ten thousands.
- BLB
- And the women answered as they danced, and said, “Saul has struck his thousands, and David his myriads.”
- ÅB
- Og de dansende kvinner istemte en sang og sa: Saul har slått sine tusener, men David sine titusener.
- OTB
- Kvinnene sang mens de feiret og sa,
"Saul har slått sine tusener,
Og David sine titusener." - B1930
- Og de dansende kvinner istemte en sang og sa: Saul har slått sine tusener, men David sine titusener.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
1 Samuel 21:11
But the servants of Achish said to him, “Is this not David, the king of the land? Did they not sing about him in their dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”
Read in contextExodus 15:21
And Miriam sang back to them: “Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.”
Read in context1 Samuel 29:5
Is this not the David about whom they sing in their dances: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”
Read in contextPsalms 24:7–8
Lift up your heads, O gates! Be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of Glory may enter!
Read in context