Tree of Life Version
1 Samuel 18:6
6Upon their coming back, upon David’s return from killing the Philistine, the women came out of all the towns of Israel, singing and dancing in circles to greet King Saul, with timbrels, with joy and with three-stringed instruments.
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 off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, along with his armor: his sword, bow and belt. 5So David went out wherever Saul sent him and had success, so Saul set him over the men of war. It was pleasing in the eyes of all the people as well as in the eyes of Saul’s courtiers. Upon their coming back, upon David’s return from killing the Philistine, the women came out of all the towns of Israel, singing and dancing in circles to greet King Saul, with timbrels, with joy and with three-stringed instruments. 7So the women sang one to another, as they were dancing saying, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands!” 8Then Saul became very angry—this saying was evil in his eyes—and he commented, “They’ve ascribed to David ten thousands and to me they’ve ascribed thousands. Now what more does he lack but the kingdom?”
Read all of 1 Samuel 181 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
Words taken from the KJV.
- And it came to pass as they cameבּוֹאbô' · to come (in): comeH935
- when Davidדָּוִדdâvid dâvîyd · DavidH1732
- was returnedשׁוּבshûb · to return: returnH7725
- from the slaughterנָכָהnâkâh · to smiteH5221
- of the Philistineפְּלִשְׁתִּיpelishtîy · PhilistineH6430
- that the womenאִשָּׁה'ishshâh nâshîym · womanH802
- came outיָצָאyâtsâ' · to come out: comeH3318
- of all citiesעִיר‛îyr ‛âr ‛âyar · cityH5892
- of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵלyiώrâ'êl · IsraelH3478
- singingשִׁירshîyr shûr · to singH7891
- and dancingמְחוֹלָהmechôlâh · danceH4246
- to meetקִרְאָהqir'âh · befallH7125
- kingמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4428
- Saulשָׁאוּלshâ'ûl · SaulH7586
- with tabretsתֹּףtôph · tambourineH8596
- with joyשִׂמְחָהώimchâh · joyH8057
- and with instruments of musickשָׁלִישׁshâlîysh shâlôsh shâlôsh · triangleH7991
Cross-references for 1 Samuel 18:6
- Exodus 15:20Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing,
- Judges 11:34Now when Jephthah arrived at his home in Mizpah, behold, his daughter was coming out to meet him with tambourines and with dances. Now she was his only child. Besides her he had no son or daughter.
- Psalms 68:25They have seen Your processions, O God— the processions of my God, my King, into the Sanctuary:
- Jeremiah 31:11They will come and sing on Zion’s height, radiant over the bounty of Adonai— over the grain, the wine, the oil, and the young of the flock. Their life will be like a watered garden, and they will never languish again.
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
In the dictionaries
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
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