1 Samuel 18:15

KJV

Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore when Saul {H7586} saw {H7200} that he behaved {H7919} himself very {H3966} wisely {H7919}, he was afraid {H1481} of {H6440} him.

Complete Jewish Bible

When Sha'ul saw how very successful he was, he became afraid of him.

Berean Standard Bible

When Saul saw that David was very successful, he was afraid of him.

American Standard Version

And when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he stood in awe of him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 18:15 serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative of Saul and David, starkly revealing the destructive power of fear and jealousy that consumed King Saul. As Saul observed David's consistent and divinely blessed wisdom and success in all his endeavors, a profound dread gripped him, marking a critical turning point that escalated his paranoia and set the stage for his relentless persecution of David, ultimately foreshadowing the transfer of the kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the unfolding drama of 1 Samuel, immediately following David's meteoric rise to prominence after his victory over Goliath in [1 Samuel 17](/1_samuel/17 "1 Samuel 17 - David and Goliath"). Having been brought into Saul's court, David quickly distinguished himself not only in battle but in all his administrative duties, gaining immense favor with the people. The preceding verses, particularly [1 Samuel 18:7](/1_samuel/18-7 "1 Samuel 18:7 - The Women's Song"), highlight the women's song praising David ("Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands"), which ignited Saul's intense jealousy. This jealousy, coupled with the knowledge that [the Lord was with David](/1_samuel/18-12 "The Lord was with David") while the Spirit of the Lord had departed from him ([1 Samuel 16:14](/1_samuel/16-14 "1 Samuel 16:14 - The Spirit of the Lord Departs from Saul")), quickly morphed into a paralyzing fear. Saul's fear in [1 Samuel 18:15](/1_samuel/18-15 "1 Samuel 18:15 - Saul's Fear of David") is the direct emotional consequence of David's success and God's favor, setting the stage for Saul's increasingly irrational and violent actions against David described in the subsequent chapters.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, kingship was a divinely ordained institution, yet it was also deeply intertwined with military prowess and popular acclaim. A king's legitimacy was often tied to his ability to lead in battle and secure the nation. David's victory over Goliath and his subsequent military successes were not merely personal triumphs; they were seen as divine endorsements and brought immense honor to the nation, but also directly challenged Saul's authority and perceived divine favor. The cultural expectation was that a king would be the preeminent warrior and leader. For another, younger man to eclipse the king in popularity and success, especially when accompanied by clear signs of God's presence, was an existential threat to the reigning monarch. Saul's fear, therefore, was not just personal paranoia but also a response to the very real political and spiritual implications of David's growing influence within a culture that valued strong, divinely-backed leadership. The concept of "wisdom" in this context also encompassed practical skill, discernment, and success in all undertakings, often seen as a mark of divine blessing.
* **Key Themes:** The verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes in 1 Samuel. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Succession**. David's wisdom and success are not merely human achievements but are explicitly attributed to God's presence with him, contrasting sharply with Saul from whom the Spirit of the Lord had departed ([1 Samuel 16:14](/1_samuel/16-14 "1 Samuel 16:14 - The Spirit of the Lord Departs from Saul")). This highlights God's active hand in preparing David for the throne and orchestrating the transfer of power from Saul. Secondly, the verse powerfully illustrates the **Destructive Nature of Jealousy and Fear**. Saul's fear is a direct outgrowth of his unchecked jealousy, which blinds him to David's loyalty and service. This fear consumes him, leading to irrational decisions and a downward spiral that ultimately costs him his kingdom and his life, a stark warning against allowing such emotions to control one's actions, as seen in Saul's repeated attempts on David's life, such as in [1 Samuel 18:11](/1_samuel/18-11 "1 Samuel 18:11 - Saul's Attempt to Spear David"). Finally, it emphasizes the theme of **True Wisdom and Godly Conduct**. David's "wise" behavior is not mere cunning but a divinely-blessed prudence that leads to success and favor with both God and man, as also noted in [1 Samuel 18:14](/1_samuel/18-14 "1 Samuel 18:14 - David's Success and God's Favor"), contrasting with Saul's increasingly foolish and disobedient actions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **wisely (Hebrew, _sâkal'_):** This Hebrew verb (H7919) signifies more than mere intellectual understanding; it denotes prudence, discernment, and successful action. It implies a practical wisdom that leads to prosperity and good fortune, often with a connotation of divine blessing. David's "wise" behavior here refers to his astute and effective conduct in all his endeavors, resulting in undeniable success and favor, which God was clearly orchestrating.
* **very (Hebrew, _mᵉʼôd'_):** This adverb (H3966) serves as an intensive, meaning "vehemently," "exceedingly," or "greatly." Its inclusion emphasizes the profound and undeniable degree of David's wisdom and success. It wasn't just that David acted wisely, but *very* wisely, making his competence and divine favor impossible for Saul to ignore or dismiss.
* **afraid (Hebrew, _gûwr'_):** The primitive root (H1481) for "afraid" here is often associated with turning aside, sojourning, or being a stranger, and by extension, to shrink or fear as one would in a strange or hostile place. In this context, it signifies a deep, unsettling dread or terror. Saul's fear is not a reverential awe but a profound, debilitating anxiety stemming from a perceived threat to his power, authority, and even his life. It indicates a loss of control and a descent into paranoia.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely":** This opening clause establishes the direct and undeniable cause of Saul's emotional state. It was David's consistent, observable, and highly effective conduct that triggered Saul's reaction. The phrase "very wisely" emphasizes the undeniable nature of David's success and prudence, leaving Saul no room to deny David's competence or the clear evidence of divine favor upon him. This wisdom was not just in battle but in all his dealings, making him a formidable and increasingly popular figure.
* **"he was afraid of him":** This is the direct, profound consequence of Saul's observation of David's success. The fear mentioned here is a deep-seated, personal dread, born of jealousy and a sense of being overshadowed. It is compounded by Saul's awareness that God's favor had shifted from him to David. This fear is destructive, leading Saul to increasingly irrational and violent behavior, marking the beginning of his active persecution of David and his own spiritual and political decline.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several **literary devices**. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as Saul's fear immediately signals the inevitable downfall of his reign and the rise of David. This fear is not just an emotion but a prophetic indicator of the kingdom's transfer, highlighting the divine orchestration of events. **Irony** is also powerfully at play: Saul, the king chosen by God, now fears the very one God has chosen to replace him. The qualities that should have been an asset to his kingdom (David's wisdom and success) become a source of terror due to Saul's spiritual state and insecurity. Furthermore, there is a strong **Contrast** between David's divinely-blessed wisdom and Saul's increasingly irrational, fear-driven folly, highlighting the divergent paths of a man walking with God versus one abandoned by God's Spirit.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 18:15 powerfully illustrates the theological truth that God's sovereign plan will prevail, regardless of human opposition or the machinations of those in power. Saul's fear, though rooted in his own sin and insecurity, inadvertently serves God's purpose by highlighting David's suitability for kingship and Saul's unfitness. It reveals the destructive nature of unchecked jealousy and fear, demonstrating how these emotions can consume a person, leading to paranoia, violence, and ultimately, self-destruction. Conversely, David's "wisdom" is presented not as mere human cleverness, but as a divinely-empowered prudence that brings success and favor, underscoring that true wisdom and lasting success come from walking in God's ways and relying on His guidance. This verse is a stark reminder that while human beings may plot and scheme, the Lord's counsel will stand.

* [Psalm 118:6](/psalms/118-6 "Psalm 118:6 - The Lord is With Me")
* [Proverbs 29:25](/proverbs/29-25 "Proverbs 29:25 - The Fear of Man")
* [James 3:16](/james/3-16 "James 3:16 - Envy and Selfish Ambition")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of Saul's fear of David in 1 Samuel 18:15 serves as a profound cautionary tale for all believers. It reveals the insidious nature of jealousy and fear, demonstrating how these unchecked emotions can corrupt the heart, distort perception, and lead to destructive actions against others, even those who are serving faithfully. Saul's inability to celebrate David's God-given success, and his subsequent descent into paranoia, reminds us of the importance of guarding our hearts against envy and cultivating a spirit of generosity and humility. True wisdom, as exemplified by David, is not merely intellectual acumen but a practical, God-honoring way of life that yields good fruit and earns favor. This wisdom, coupled with faith, allows us to navigate life's challenges without succumbing to the fear of man or the perceived threats around us, trusting always in God's sovereign hand. We are called to rejoice with those who rejoice, to recognize God's hand in others' blessings, and to find our security not in position or popularity, but in our relationship with the Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does unchecked jealousy manifest in our lives today, and what are its potential destructive consequences?**
* **In what ways might we, like Saul, be tempted to fear or resent the success or wisdom of others, especially those God is clearly blessing?**
* **How can we cultivate the kind of divinely-empowered wisdom that David exhibited, and what does it mean to "behave wisely" in our daily lives?**
* **What are the practical steps we can take to overcome fear and paranoia, choosing faith and trust in God's sovereignty instead?**

### FAQ
**What does "behaved himself very wisely" imply about David's character and God's involvement?**

Answer: The phrase "behaved himself very wisely" (Hebrew: *śāḵal*, intensified by *mᵉʼôd*) implies much more than mere human cleverness or cunning. It speaks to David's comprehensive prudence, discernment, and effectiveness in all his undertakings, whether in military leadership, administrative duties, or personal conduct. This wisdom was not self-generated but was a direct result of God's presence and favor upon him. As [1 Samuel 18:14](/1_samuel/18-14 "1 Samuel 18:14 - David's Success and God's Favor") explicitly states, "David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the Lord was with him." This divine enablement meant that David consistently made sound decisions, acted with integrity, and achieved success, earning him widespread favor with the people and demonstrating his suitability for leadership. It underscored that David was not just a skilled warrior, but a man after God's own heart, guided by divine wisdom, a stark contrast to Saul's increasingly erratic and disobedient behavior.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 18:15, with Saul's fear of David's divine wisdom and success, profoundly foreshadows the world's reaction to Jesus Christ, the ultimate Davidic King. Just as David was the divinely chosen and anointed one, displaying wisdom and success that provoked fear in the reigning, unfaithful king, so too was Jesus the Son of God, full of grace and truth ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), whose wisdom and authority far surpassed any human leader. His teachings, miracles, and perfect life demonstrated a divine wisdom that both astonished and threatened the religious and political establishments of His day, leading people to exclaim, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works?" ([Matthew 7:28-29](/matthew/7-28 "Matthew 7:28-29 - Jesus' Authority") and [Matthew 13:54](/matthew/13-54 "Matthew 13:54 - Jesus Teaches in His Hometown")). The Jewish leaders, much like Saul, feared Jesus' growing popularity and the potential threat He posed to their power and position, leading them to conspire against Him ([John 11:47-48](/john/11-47 "John 11:47 - The Council Decides to Kill Jesus")). Yet, just as Saul's fear inadvertently served God's purpose in elevating David, the world's rejection and crucifixion of Christ ultimately fulfilled God's redemptive plan, leading to His glorious resurrection and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. Jesus is the true King in whom "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Christ, in Whom are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom")), whose perfect wisdom and unmatched success bring salvation to those who trust Him, while exposing and ultimately conquering the fear and rebellion of those who oppose God's reign.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 112:5

A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.

James 1:5

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Daniel 6:4

Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he [was] faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

Daniel 6:5

Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find [it] against him concerning the law of his God.

James 3:17

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Colossians 4:5

¶ Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.