1 Samuel 18:8

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.

7 And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”

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.

10 The next day a spirit of distress sent from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied inside the house while David played the harp as usual. Now Saul was holding a spear,

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
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?”
KJV
And 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?
WEB
Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have credited David with ten thousands, and they have only credited me with thousands. What can he have more but the kingdom?”
ASV
And 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 what can he have more but the kingdom?
DARBY
And Saul was very wroth, and that saying was evil in his sight; and he said, They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed the thousands; and [what] is there more for him but the kingdom?
BLB
And Saul was very hot, and this thing was evil in his eyes, and he said, “They have ascribed to David myriads, and to me they have ascribed the thousands. And more to him [is] only the kingdom.”
ÅB
Da ble Saul meget vred; for dette ord likte han ille, og han sa: De har gitt David titusener, og meg har de gitt tusener, og nå står det bare tilbake at han får kongedømmet.
OTB
Da ble Saul meget sint, for denne uttalelsen mishaget ham, og han sa: "De har tilskrevet David titusener, men meg har de bare tilskrevet tusener. Hva mer kan han ha enn kongeriket?"
B1930
Da blev Saul meget vred; for dette ord likte han ille, og han sa: De har gitt David titusener, og mig har de gitt tusener, og nu står det bare tilbake at han får kongedømmet.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Samuel 15:28

    So Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor who is better than you.

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 13:10

    Arrogance leads only to strife, but wisdom is with the well-advised.

    Read in context
  • Esther 3:5

    When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or pay him homage, he was filled with rage.

    Read in context
  • James 4:5

    Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy?

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 20:31

    For as long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingship shall be established. Now send for him and bring him to me, for he must surely die!”

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 27:4

    Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?

    Read in context
  • 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.”

    Read in context
  • Numbers 11:1

    Soon the people began to complain about their hardship in the hearing of the LORD, and when He heard them, His anger was kindled, and fire from the LORD blazed among them and consumed the outskirts of the camp.

    Read in context