| Date | Version | Reading Plan |
|---|---|---|
| April 16, 2026 | ESV (2016) | ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026 |
1 Samuel 18
Observation & Interpretation
Following the defeat of Goliath of Gath, Saul set David over the men of war and David had success wherever he Saul sent him (v. 5). After returning home from defeating the Philistines, the women came out of the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul with tambourines and songs of joy (v. 6). The women sang to each other as they celebrated, singing of how Saul struck down his thousands and David his ten thousands (v. 7). Ascribing a greater number to David angered Saul and he eyed David from that day on (v. 9). The next day, a harmful spirit rushed upon Saul and he raved within his house while David was playing lyre (v. 10). Saul hurled the spear at David but David evaded him twice (v. 11). Saul feared David because the LORD was with him and contrived a plan to give David his daughter, become Saul’s son-in-law and be killed by the Philistines (v. 17). David questioned Saul in this decision, asking who he was to be son-in-law of the king (v. 18). However, this arrangement never came to fruition as at the time Merab, Saul’s daughter, was to be given to David, she had already been given to Adriel the Meholathite for a wife (v. 19).
At this time, Saul’s daughter, Michal, expressed her love for David (v. 20). This pleased Saul who thought that she would become a snare to David and the hand of the Philistines would be against him (v. 21). David again conveyed his doubts of becoming Saul’s son-in-law “by pointing to his humble ancestry (v. 23). To this, Saul replied that there would be no bride price except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines (v. 25). Upon hearing these words, David was pleased to become Saul’s son-in-law (v. 26). David went out and killed two hundred Philistines—twice the number of the agreement—and brought back their foreskins (v. 27). David was given Saul’s daughter, Michal, to be his wife, but when Saul knew that the LORD was with David and saw that Michal loved David, Saul was even more afraid of David (v. 28-29). The chapter concludes with David’s great success over the commanders of the Philistines, more than all the servants of Saul, so that David’s name was highly esteemed.
Application
Saul was decreasing and David was increasing, showcasing the reality that the LORD “removes kings and sets up kings” (Dan. 2:21a). Saul’s character was declining, increasing in fear of David and seeking his death through jealousy-fueled orchestration. No longer was Saul’s primary focus and placement of fear on the LORD but was instead on David’s elevated regard and success. Saul’s disposition models for us the penchant of the sinful human heart away from God and toward selfish motives, bitterness and heart-hardening. This should give us healthy pause, realizing that we are equally inclined to look with contempt upon the LORD’s favor and work being done through others. Let God’s people turn from such wickedness and acknowledge His sovereignty and grace being made manifest, rejoicing that He would so choose to use broken people in order to magnify His glory.
Resources
- J. I. Packer et. al, The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016)
- Colin Hansen (Editor in Chief), TGC Bible Commentary (Columbia, MO: The Gospel Coalition, 2022)
- Iain M. Duguid (Series Editor), ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018-2025)
- Faithlife Study Bible (Lexham Press, 2016)
- Believer’s Bible Commentary (Thomas Nelson, 2016)
- CSB Study Bible Notes (Holman Bible Publishers, 2017)
- The New American Commentary (Brentwood, TN: Holman Reference)
- Lane T. Dennis and Wayne Grudem (Editors), ESV Study Bible, Crossway, 2008.
