1 Samuel 18:6

1 Samuel 18:6 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And 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.
• New International Version (NIV)When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres.
• English Standard Version (ESV)As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Now it had happened as they were coming home, when David was returning from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women had come out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments.

Context of 1 Samuel 18:6

4Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt. 5So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and prospered; and Saul set him over the men of war. And it was pleasing in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants. It happened as they were coming, when David returned from killing the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy and with musical instruments. 7The women sang as they played, and said, “Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.” 8Then Saul became very angry, for this saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?”

1 Samuel 18:6 word by word

וַיְהִ֣י בְּבוֹאָ֗ם בְּשׁ֤וּב דָּוִד֙ מֵהַכּ֣וֹת אֶת־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔י וַתֵּצֶ֨אנָה הַנָּשִׁ֜ים מִכָּל־עָרֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לָשִׁ֣יר וְהַמְּחֹל֔וֹת לִקְרַ֖את שָׁא֣וּל הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ בְּתֻפִּ֥ים בְּשִׂמְחָ֖ה וּבְשָׁלִשִֽׁים׃Read the interlinear

• It happenedהָיָהhâyâh · to beH1961
• as they were comingבּוֹאbô' · to come (in): comeH935
• when Davidדָּוִדdâvid dâvîyd · DavidH1732
• returnedשׁוּבshûb · to return: returnH7725
• from killingנָכָהnâkâh · to smiteH5221
• the Philistineפְּלִשְׁתִּיpelishtîy · PhilistineH6430
• the womenאִשָּׁה'ishshâh nâshîym · womanH802
• cameיָצָאyâtsâ' · to come out: comeH3318
• out of allכֹּלkôl kôl · allH3605
• the citiesעִיר‛îyr ‛âr ‛âyar · cityH5892
• of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵלyiώrâ'êl · IsraelH3478
• singingשִׁירshîyr shûr · to singH7891
• and dancingמְחוֹלָהmechôlâh · danceH4246
• to meetקָרָאqârâ' · to encounter: meetH7122
• Kingמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4428
• Saulשָׁאוּלshâ'ûl · SaulH7586
• with tambourinesתֹּףtôph · tambourineH8596
• with joyשִׂמְחָהώimchâh · joyH8057
• musicalשָׁלִישׁshâlîysh shâlôsh shâlôsh · triangleH7991

Cross-references for 1 Samuel 18:6

• Exodus 15:20Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took the timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dancing.
• Judges 11:34When Jephthah came to his house at Mizpah, behold, his daughter was coming out to meet him with tambourines and with dancing. Now she was his one and only child; besides her he had no son or daughter.
• Psalms 68:25The singers went on, the musicians after them, In the midst of the maidens beating tambourines.
• Jeremiah 31:11For the Lord has ransomed Jacob And redeemed him from the hand of him who was stronger than he.

Commentaries on 1 Samuel 18:6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 6When David was returned - This verse connects well with the 54th verse of the preceding chapter; and carries on the narration without any break or interruption. See the notes on 1 Samuel 17:54. The women came out - It was the principal business of certain women to celebrate victories, sing at funerals, etc. With instruments of music - The original word (שלשים shalishim ) signifies instruments with three strings; and is, I think, properly translated by the…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 6The Philistine - Rather as in the margin. The allusion is not to Goliath, but to one of the expeditions referred to in 1 Samuel 18:5. Singing and dancing - Women used to dance to the sound of the timbrel, and to sing as they danced and played. (instruments of music The word means, an instrument like the triangle, or with three cords.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
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 66. the women came out of all cities of Israel--in the homeward march from the pursuit of the Philistines. This is a characteristic trait of Oriental manners. On the return of friends long absent, and particularly on the return of a victorious army, bands of women and children issue from the towns and villages, to form a triumphal procession, to celebrate the victory, and, as they go along, to gratify the soldiers with dancing, instrumental music, and…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Samuel 18:6

• Armies
• Art
• Dancing
• Harp
• Joy
• Music
• Prudence
• Victories
• Women

In the dictionaries

• David
• Israel
• Saul
• Israel, Israelites
• Jacob, Israel
• Paul, Saul
• Ascribe
• Avoid
• Dance
• Kingdom

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