1 Samuel 18:8

1 Samuel 18:8 in other versions

• King James Version (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?
• New International Version (NIV)Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?”
• English Standard Version (ESV)And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, "They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?"
• New King James Version (NKJV)Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?”

Context of 1 Samuel 18:8

6As they arrived, David was returning from a campaign against the Philistines. Women from all of Israel’s cities came to meet King Saul. They sang and danced, accompanied by tambourines, joyful music, and triangles. 7The women who were celebrating sang, “Saul has defeated thousands but David tens of thousands!” Saul became very angry because he considered this saying to be insulting. “To David they credit tens of thousands,” he said, “but to me they credit ⌞only⌟ a few thousand. The only thing left for David is my kingdom.” 9From that day on Saul kept an eye on David. 10The next day an evil spirit from God seized Saul. He began to prophesy in his house while David strummed a tune on the lyre as he did every day. Now, Saul had a spear in his hand.

1 Samuel 18:8 word by word

וַיִּ֨חַר לְשָׁא֜וּל מְאֹ֗ד וַיֵּ֤רַע בְּעֵינָיו֙ הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֔ה וַיֹּ֗אמֶר נָתְנ֤וּ לְדָוִד֙ רְבָב֔וֹת וְלִ֥י נָתְנ֖וּ הָאֲלָפִ֑ים וְע֥וֹד ל֖וֹ אַ֥ךְ הַמְּלוּכָֽה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And Saulשָׁאוּלshâ'ûl · SaulH7586
• was veryמְאֹדme'ôd · muchH3966
• wrothחָרָהchârâh · to be incensedH2734
• and the sayingדָּבָרdâbâr · word: speakingH1697
• displeasedעַ֫יִן‛ayin · eye: appearanceH5869
• displeasedיָרַעyâra‛ · quiverH3415
• him; and he saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• They have ascribedנָתַןnâthan · to give: giveH5414
• unto Davidדָּוִדdâvid dâvîyd · DavidH1732
• ten thousandsרְבָבָהrebâbâh · myriadH7233
• thousandsאֶ֫לֶף'eleph · thousandH505
• can he have more but the kingdomמְלוּכָהmelûkâh · kingshipH4410

Cross-references for 1 Samuel 18:8

• Esther 3:5When Haman saw that Mordecai did not kneel and bow to him, Haman was infuriated.
• Proverbs 13:10Arrogance produces only quarreling, but those who take advice gain wisdom.
• Proverbs 27:4Anger is cruel, and fury is overwhelming, but who can survive jealousy?
• Ecclesiastes 4:4Then I saw that all hard work and skillful effort come from rivalry. Even this is pointless. ⌞It’s like⌟ trying to catch the wind.
• James 4:5Do you think this passage means nothing? It says, “The Spirit that lives in us wants us to be his own.”
• Numbers 11:1The people began complaining out loud to the Lord about their troubles. When the Lord heard them, he became angry, and fire from the Lord began to burn among them. It destroyed some people on the outskirts of the camp.
• Numbers 22:34Balaam said to the Messenger of the Lord, “I’ve sinned. I didn’t know you were standing there in the road to stop me. If you still think this trip is evil, I’ll go back.”
• 1 Samuel 13:14But now your kingdom will not last. The Lord has searched for a man after his own heart. The Lord has appointed him as ruler of his people, because you didn’t follow the command of the Lord.”
• 1 Samuel 15:28Samuel told him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today. He has given it to your neighbor who is better than you.
• 1 Samuel 16:13Samuel took the flask of olive oil and anointed David in the presence of his brothers. The Lord’s Spirit came over David and stayed with him from that day on. Then Samuel left for Ramah.
• 1 Samuel 20:31As long as Jesse’s son lives on earth, neither you nor your right to be king is secure. Now, send some men to bring him to me. He’s a dead man!”
• 1 Kings 2:22King Solomon then said, “Why do you ask that Abishag from Shunem be given to Adonijah? That would be the same as giving him the kingship. After all, he is my older brother. The priest Abiathar and Joab (Zeruiah’s son) are supporting him.”

Commentaries on 1 Samuel 18:8

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8What can he have … - Rather, “There is only the kingdom left for him.” Compare for the same sentiment, 1 Kings 2:22. “A kingdom (says Camden) brooketh no companion, and majesty more heavily taketh injuries to heart.”Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-11Verses 6-11 David's troubles not only immediately follow his triumphs, but arise from them; such is the vanity of that which seems greatest in this world. It is a sign that the Spirit of God is departed from men, if, like Saul, they are peevish, envious, suspicious, and ill-natured. Compare David, with his harp in his hand, aiming to serve Saul, and Saul, with his javelin in his hand, aiming to slay David; and observe the sweetness and usefulness of God's…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8-15Saul came to view David as a threat rather than an ally and would do anything to get rid of him.Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Samuel 18:8

• David
• Envy
• Jealousy
• Malice
• Prudence

In the dictionaries

• David
• Saul
• Paul, Saul
• Ascribe
• Avoid
• Kingdom
• Soul
• Stripling
• Tabret
• Valiant

Commentaries on 1 Samuel 18

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings