1 Samuel 18:22

KJV

And Saul commanded his servants, [saying], Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the king's son in law.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Saul {H7586} commanded {H6680} his servants {H5650}, saying, Commune {H1696} with David {H1732} secretly {H3909}, and say {H559}, Behold, the king {H4428} hath delight {H2654} in thee, and all his servants {H5650} love {H157} thee: now therefore be the king's {H4428} son in law {H2859}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Sha'ul ordered his servants to speak privately with David and say, "Look, the king is pleased with you, and all his servants like you; so become the king's son-in-law."

Berean Standard Bible

Then Saul ordered his servants, “Speak to David privately and tell him, ‘Behold, the king is pleased with you, and all his servants love you. Now therefore, become his son-in-law.’”

American Standard Version

And Saul commanded his servants, saying, Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the king’s son-in-law.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 18:22 illuminates King Saul's escalating paranoia and malevolent cunning against David, revealing a calculated plot designed to ensnare and eliminate his perceived rival. Driven by intense jealousy over David's widespread popularity and military successes, Saul's initial favor has curdled into bitter fear. This verse meticulously details Saul's deceptive command to his trusted servants: to secretly persuade David that the king and his entire court genuinely hold him in high esteem, thereby setting the stage for a seemingly honorable, yet ultimately lethal, offer of marriage to Saul's daughter, Michal, a scheme meticulously crafted to lead David to his demise at the hands of the Philistines.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the dramatic turning point 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's Defeat"). The preceding narrative in [1 Samuel 18](/1_samuel/18 "1 Samuel 18 - Saul's Jealousy and David's Ascendancy") meticulously establishes David's immediate popularity with the people and Saul's rapidly intensifying, irrational jealousy, explicitly stating that "Saul eyed David from that day forward" ([1 Samuel 18:9](/1_samuel/18-9 "1 Samuel 18:9 - Saul's Jealousy Begins")). Saul had already attempted to kill David directly with a spear ([1 Samuel 18:10-11](/1_samuel/18-10 "1 Samuel 18:10-11 - Saul's Attempted Murder of David")), and had removed him from his immediate presence by making him a commander over a thousand ([1 Samuel 18:13](/1_samuel/18-13 "1 Samuel 18:13 - David Appointed Commander")). Saul's initial offer of his elder daughter Merab in marriage was conditional on David fighting the Lord's battles, a condition David humbly declined due to his perceived unworthiness, and Merab was subsequently given to another ([1 Samuel 18:17-19](/1_samuel/18-17-19 "1 Samuel 18:17-19 - Merab's Marriage Offer")). Now, with Michal, the younger daughter, whose love for David is genuine ([1 Samuel 18:20](/1_samuel/18-20 "1 Samuel 18:20 - Michal's Love for David")), Saul devises a more insidious and indirect plot, leveraging the very affection David had garnered from the people and the royal household to orchestrate his downfall.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern monarchies, royal marriages were far more than personal unions; they were strategic instruments for consolidating power, forming political alliances, or rewarding loyal subjects. Offering a king's daughter in marriage was a profound honor, typically binding the recipient to the royal house and significantly elevating their social and political status. However, Saul perverts this esteemed custom for his own nefarious purposes. The cultural expectation was that such an offer would be met with gratitude and eager acceptance, providing Saul with a plausible cover for his true, murderous intentions. Furthermore, the persistent threat posed by the Philistines was a defining feature of Israel's geopolitical landscape during this tumultuous period. Saul's calculated plan to use the Philistines as an instrument of David's death—by demanding a dowry of Philistine foreskins ([1 Samuel 18:25](/1_samuel/18-25 "1 Samuel 18:25 - Saul's Treacherous Dowry Demand"))—was a cunning move to rid himself of David without directly implicating himself in murder, thereby maintaining his public image and avoiding a potential backlash from the people who deeply admired and loved David.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of 1 Samuel. It starkly underscores the theme of **Saul's deteriorating character** and his tragic descent into paranoia and madness, driven by profound insecurity and bitter jealousy over David's rising popularity and the Lord's evident favor ([1 Samuel 18:12](/1_samuel/18-12 "1 Samuel 18:12 - The Lord Was With David")). It highlights the pervasive theme of **deception and manipulation** as Saul employs clandestine and duplicitous means to achieve his malevolent ends, contrasting sharply with David's integrity and straightforwardness. Furthermore, it subtly yet powerfully foreshadows the **divine protection and elevation of David**, demonstrating that despite Saul's elaborate and malicious schemes, God's sovereign plan for His anointed cannot be thwarted by human machinations. The narrative also touches on the **nature of true kingship**, contrasting Saul's self-serving, fear-driven rule with the emerging, God-centered leadership of David, who consistently trusts in the Lord even amidst grave danger ([1 Samuel 18:14](/1_samuel/18-14 "1 Samuel 18:14 - David's Success and the Lord's Presence")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Secretly (Heb. לָט, _lâṭ_):** This adverb, derived from a root meaning "covered" or "hidden," emphasizes the clandestine and deceptive nature of Saul's command. It suggests a deliberate attempt to conceal the king's true, malevolent intentions from David and from the public. Saul did not want his court or David to suspect the sinister motive behind the seemingly honorable marriage offer. The word implies a deep-seated duplicity, a stark contrast to the openness and integrity expected of a righteous king.
* **Delight (Heb. חָפֵץ, _châphêts_):** The verb "châphêts" signifies a strong inclination towards something, expressing pleasure, desire, or delight. Here, it is used with profound irony and deception by Saul. He instructs his servants to falsely convey that he "hath delight" in David, presenting a facade of favor. This is a profound contradiction, as Saul's true emotion toward David is intense hatred and fear. The deceptive use of this word highlights the extent of Saul's hypocrisy and manipulation, aiming to lower David's guard and lure him into a trap.
* **Love (Heb. אָהַב, _ʼâhab_):** This primitive root signifies having affection for someone, whether sexually or otherwise, and is the basis for words like "love," "like," or "friend." In this verse, Saul instructs his servants to falsely claim that "all his servants love thee." This statement is part of the elaborate deception, designed to make David feel secure and valued within the royal court. While some servants might indeed have loved David, Saul's inclusion of this sentiment in his secret command reveals his manipulative use of genuine human affection to further his murderous plot, contrasting sharply with the true affection Michal had for David.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Saul commanded his servants, [saying],"**: This opening clause establishes Saul's authority and initiative in orchestrating the plot. It demonstrates that his actions are not impulsive reactions but deliberate, calculated commands, indicating a mind consumed by malice and fear. The phrase "saying" introduces the direct instruction given to his subordinates.
* **"Commune with David secretly, and say,"**: This is the core of the deceptive strategy. Saul instructs his servants to engage David in private conversation, ensuring the message is delivered discreetly, away from public scrutiny. The secrecy is crucial for maintaining the illusion of goodwill and preventing David from discerning the underlying trap. The servants are compelled to act as unwitting or unwilling accomplices in Saul's scheme.
* **"Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee:"**: This is the carefully constructed false narrative Saul wants conveyed to David. It is a calculated lie designed to flatter David and lower his guard. The claim of the king's "delight" directly contradicts Saul's true feelings and previous murderous actions. The assertion that "all his servants love thee" is an appeal to David's widespread popularity, aiming to make the subsequent offer seem like a natural consequence of his widespread favor and acceptance within the royal household.
* **"now therefore be the king's son in law."**: This is the culmination of the deception, the seemingly honorable offer that conceals a deadly trap. By becoming the king's son-in-law, David would be bound to the royal family, but more importantly, he would be subject to the conditions Saul would impose for the dowry, which were meticulously designed to lead to his death at the hands of the Philistines. The "therefore" deceptively links the false affection to the "honor" of marriage, making the trap appear as a natural progression of favor.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Irony**, as Saul's proclaimed "delight" in David and the alleged "love" of his servants stand in stark contrast to his murderous intentions, creating a dramatic tension that underscores his profound hypocrisy. The instruction to "commune... secretly" is a clear instance of **Deception**, highlighting Saul's manipulative character and his tragic descent into moral corruption. Furthermore, the entire scenario serves as a powerful instance of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the ongoing, escalating conflict between Saul and David, and subtly pointing to God's continued protection over David despite the king's elaborate plots. The seemingly benign offer of marriage is, in fact, a **Trap**, a common narrative device used to heighten suspense and reveal the depth of Saul's malevolence and David's precarious position.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 18:22 serves as a stark biblical illustration of the destructive power of envy, insecurity, and unchecked malice, particularly when these vices consume those in positions of authority. Saul's actions demonstrate how a heart alienated from God can become so consumed by fear and bitterness that it resorts to elaborate schemes of deception and attempted murder against God's anointed. Theologically, this verse profoundly underscores the theme of divine sovereignty: even the most cunning and malevolent human plots cannot thwart God's ultimate purposes. While Saul attempts to manipulate human relationships and political customs for his own wicked ends, God is actively working behind the scenes, using these very circumstances to refine David, prepare him for the throne, and ultimately demonstrate that "the counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations" ([Psalm 33:11](/psalm/33-11 "Psalm 33:11 - The Lord's Counsel Stands Forever")). This passage reveals the profound contrast between human treachery and divine faithfulness.

* [Proverbs 14:30](/proverbs/14-30 "Proverbs 14:30 - Envy Rots the Bones")
* [Psalm 7:15-16](/psalm/7-15-16 "Psalm 7:15-16 - The Wicked Fall Into Their Own Pit")
* [Psalm 37:32-33](/psalm/37-32-33 "Psalm 37:32-33 - The Wicked Watch the Righteous, But the Lord Will Not Forsake Him")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This passage offers profound insights into the human heart's capacity for darkness and the unwavering nature of God's sovereign plan. Saul's tragic descent into manipulative jealousy serves as a potent warning against allowing envy, insecurity, and fear to fester within us, reminding us that such unchecked emotions can lead to destructive behaviors, even against those whom God favors or those closest to us. For us, it encourages a posture of discernment, teaching us to look beyond superficial appearances and to critically question motives, especially when offers seem too good to be true or are presented with an air of secrecy. More importantly, David's experience, though fraught with constant danger and malicious plots, reassures us of God's steadfast protection over His chosen ones. Even when facing elaborate schemes and malevolent intent from others, those who walk in integrity and trust in God's providence can rest assured that His purposes will prevail, and He will ultimately bring about His good will. This narrative calls us to cultivate a heart free from envy, to trust implicitly in God's perfect timing and provision, and to respond with integrity and faithfulness even when others act deceptively or unjustly towards us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Saul's secret manipulation in this verse contrast with the transparency and integrity expected of godly leadership, and what lessons can we draw for leadership today?**
* **In what ways might unchecked jealousy and insecurity, like Saul's, manifest in our own lives or relationships, and how can we guard against them?**
* **How does David's consistent trust in God, despite facing constant threats and deceptive plots from Saul, encourage you in your own challenges and seasons of adversity?**
* **What does this passage teach us about discerning the true motives behind seemingly benevolent offers or actions from others, and how can we apply this discernment in our daily lives?**

### FAQ
**Why did Saul resort to such a deceptive plot instead of a direct confrontation with David?**

Answer: Saul had already attempted direct confrontation by throwing a spear at David on multiple occasions ([1 Samuel 18:11](/1_samuel/18-11 "1 Samuel 18:11 - Saul's Attempt to Kill David"); [1 Samuel 19:9-10](/1_samuel/19-9-10 "1 Samuel 19:9-10 - Saul Again Tries to Kill David")), but these attempts failed, indicating David's divine protection. Furthermore, David was immensely popular with the people of Israel, with Saul's own servants, and even with Saul's children, Jonathan and Michal ([1 Samuel 18:5](/1_samuel/18-5 "1 Samuel 18:5 - David's Popularity"); [1 Samuel 18:16](/1_samuel/18-16 "1 Samuel 18:16 - All Israel and Judah Loved David")). A direct, overt attack on David would have likely provoked a strong negative reaction from the populace, potentially leading to rebellion and undermining Saul's kingship. By orchestrating a seemingly honorable marriage offer with a deadly condition (the dowry of Philistine foreskins, as revealed in [1 Samuel 18:25](/1_samuel/18-25 "1 Samuel 18:25 - Saul's Dowry Demand")), Saul aimed to achieve David's death indirectly. This strategy would make it appear as if David fell valiantly in battle against Israel's enemies, thereby absolving Saul of direct responsibility for murder and maintaining his public image. It was a cowardly and calculated move to remove a perceived rival without incurring public wrath.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The malicious deception of Saul in 1 Samuel 18:22, meticulously aimed at eliminating God's anointed David, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate opposition faced by the True Anointed, Jesus Christ. Just as Saul, the reigning king, sought to destroy the one chosen by God to succeed him and establish a righteous kingdom, so too did the established religious and political authorities of Jesus' day conspire to put Him to death, often through deceit, false accusations, and manipulation ([Matthew 26:3-4](/matthew/26-3-4 "Matthew 26:3-4 - The Plot Against Jesus"); [John 11:47-53](/john/11-47-53 "John 11:47-53 - The Sanhedrin Plots to Kill Jesus")). David, though a man of war, consistently trusted in God's protection amidst Saul's elaborate schemes, echoing the perfect trust of Christ in His Father's will, even unto death on the cross ([Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus Prayed in Gethsemane"); [John 10:17-18](/john/10-17-18 "John 10:17-18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life")). Ultimately, Saul's plan failed, and David was preserved and elevated to the throne, demonstrating God's sovereign power to protect His chosen one. This points to the ultimate victory of Christ: despite the world's most elaborate and cruel plots, He was not defeated but triumphed over sin and death, being raised to the ultimate throne, where He reigns forever as King of kings and Lord of lords ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords"); [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation")). The "son-in-law" plot, intended to destroy David, ironically led to his closer integration into the royal family, a faint echo of Christ's union with His bride, the Church, through His sacrifice and ultimate triumph, making us "heirs with Christ" ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ and the Church"); [Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")).

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 55:21

[The words] of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war [was] in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet [were] they drawn swords.

2 Samuel 13:28

Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.

2 Samuel 13:29

And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.

Psalms 36:1

¶ To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David the servant of the LORD. The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, [that there is] no fear of God before his eyes.

Psalms 36:3

The words of his mouth [are] iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, [and] to do good.

Proverbs 29:12

¶ If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants [are] wicked.