1 Samuel 18:23

KJV

And Saul's servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you [a] light [thing] to be a king's son in law, seeing that I [am] a poor man, and lightly esteemed?

KJV (with Strong's)

And Saul's {H7586} servants {H5650} spake {H1696} those words {H1697} in the ears {H241} of David {H1732}. And David {H1732} said {H559}, Seemeth {H5869} it to you a light {H7043} thing to be a king's {H4428} son in law {H2859}, seeing that I am a poor {H7326} man {H376}, and lightly esteemed {H7034}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Sha'ul's servants said this to David; but David replied, "Do you think being the king's son-in-law is something to be treated so casually, given that I'm a poor man without social standing?"

Berean Standard Bible

But when Saul’s servants relayed these words to David, he replied, “Does it seem trivial in your sight to be the son-in-law of the king? I am a poor man and lightly esteemed.”

American Standard Version

And Saul’s servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be the king’s son-in-law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 18:23 captures a pivotal moment revealing David's profound humility and astute perception amidst King Saul's increasingly desperate and manipulative schemes. As Saul's servants convey the king's offer for David to become his son-in-law by marrying Michal, David's rhetorical question underscores his genuine sense of unworthiness for such a high honor, contrasting his humble origins with the immense prestige of royal kinship. This verse subtly highlights the divine hand at work, elevating David even as human adversaries plot his downfall, setting the stage for his eventual ascent to the throne.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a narrative arc detailing King Saul's escalating jealousy and paranoia towards David following David's triumphant victory over Goliath in [1 Samuel 17](/1_samuel/17 "1 Samuel 17 - David and Goliath"). David's popularity soared, drawing the admiration of the people and the love of Saul's son, Jonathan, as well as Saul's daughter, Michal. Saul, however, viewed David as a direct threat to his kingship, and his initial admiration quickly turned to murderous intent, as evidenced by his attempts to pin David to the wall with a spear ([1 Samuel 18:10-11](/1_samuel/18-10 "1 Samuel 18:10-11 - Saul's Attempted Murder of David")). Saul had previously offered his elder daughter Merab to David, only to renege and give her to Adriel the Meholathite ([1 Samuel 18:17-19](/1_samuel/18-17 "1 Samuel 18:17-19 - Saul Breaks His Promise")). Now, with Michal's love for David becoming apparent, Saul seizes another opportunity to ensnare David, hoping to use the Philistines as a means to eliminate his rival, rather than truly honoring him.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, marriage into the royal family was a significant elevation of social status, often accompanied by a substantial bride-price or dowry paid by the groom to the bride's family. For a commoner, or even a military hero, to become a king's son-in-law was an extraordinary honor, signifying deep integration into the ruling elite. David's self-description as a "poor man" (Hebrew: *dal*) does not necessarily imply destitution but rather a lack of the social standing, wealth, and established lineage typically required to marry into royalty or provide a customary dowry. His background as a shepherd from Bethlehem ([1 Samuel 16:1-13](/1_samuel/16-1 "1 Samuel 16:1-13 - David's Anointing")) would have made such a union seem unfathomable by conventional societal standards, further highlighting the divine intervention in his life.
* **Key Themes:** The central themes in this passage include David's **humility** contrasted with Saul's **pride and insecurity**. David's genuine astonishment at the prospect of royal kinship underscores his awareness of his humble origins and his dependence on God's favor, rather than his own merit. This stands in stark opposition to Saul's character, whose reign is increasingly defined by his fear of losing power and his desperate attempts to maintain control through manipulation and deceit. Another crucial theme is **divine elevation**: despite Saul's malicious intentions and calculated schemes to bring about David's demise, God sovereignly orchestrates events to elevate David, positioning him closer to the royal family and ultimately, the throne. This demonstrates God's faithfulness to His chosen one and His ability to work through even the most treacherous human plots to accomplish His purposes, a theme echoed throughout the broader narrative of [1 Samuel](/1_samuel/1 "1 Samuel - The Rise of David and Fall of Saul").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Light thing (Hebrew, _qalah'_):** This word carries the sense of something being "trifling," "insignificant," "contemptible," or "easy." David's rhetorical question, "Seemeth it to you a light thing...?" expresses genuine incredulity and humility. He is asking if such a monumental honor—to become part of the royal family—is considered a trivial or unimportant matter, especially for someone of his perceived low status. It highlights his awareness of the immense social and political weight of the king's offer, which he does not take lightly.
* **Poor man (Hebrew, _dal'_):** While *dal* can imply material poverty, in this context, it more broadly refers to one of low social standing, lacking the customary wealth, influence, or aristocratic lineage expected for a royal son-in-law. David's self-assessment acknowledges his humble background as a shepherd, contrasting with the elevated status of Saul's family and the typical requirements for such a union.
* **Lightly esteemed (Hebrew, _qalah'_):** This is the same root as "light thing" (*qalah*), used here in the passive sense. It reinforces David's perception of himself as insignificant or of little account in the eyes of the powerful. He genuinely believes that he is not highly valued or considered worthy of such a prestigious connection, further emphasizing his humility and lack of self-aggrandizement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Saul's servants spake those words in the ears of David."**: This clause establishes the formal communication of Saul's offer. The servants are acting as intermediaries, delivering the king's proposal for David to marry Michal, likely presenting it as an honor, though it was part of Saul's deceptive strategy.
* **"And David said, Seemeth it to you [a] light [thing] to be a king's son in law,"**: David's immediate response is a rhetorical question, expressing genuine astonishment and humility. He is not dismissive of the offer but rather overwhelmed by its magnitude, especially considering his own background. He questions whether the servants truly grasp the gravity and honor of such a position for someone like him.
* **"seeing that I [am] a poor man, and lightly esteemed?"**: This final clause provides the reason for David's astonishment and rhetorical question. He articulates his self-perception as a man of humble origin and low social standing, someone who would not naturally be considered worthy of such a high honor. This statement powerfully underscores his humility and contrasts sharply with the pride and self-importance often associated with those in positions of power.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs a **Rhetorical Question** ("Seemeth it to you a light thing...?") to convey David's profound humility and astonishment. This question is not seeking an answer but rather emphasizes the speaker's perspective and the perceived absurdity of the situation from his humble viewpoint. There is also a strong element of **Contrast** and **Juxtaposition** between David's self-proclaimed status as a "poor man, and lightly esteemed" and the immense honor of becoming "a king's son in law." This highlights the vast social chasm that David perceives, making the offer seem extraordinary. Furthermore, there is a subtle **Irony** at play: Saul intends this offer as a trap to eliminate David, yet David's humble response, far from being a sign of weakness, further solidifies his character and divine favor, inadvertently moving him closer to the very throne Saul seeks to protect.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
David's response in 1 Samuel 18:23 powerfully illustrates a recurring biblical theme: God's pattern of exalting the humble and bringing low the proud. David, a man after God's own heart, consistently demonstrates a profound awareness of his own unworthiness and God's sovereign hand in his life. This humility is not feigned but genuine, stemming from a deep understanding that his elevation is entirely by divine grace, not human merit or social standing. Even as Saul, driven by pride and fear, schemes to destroy David, God uses these very machinations to position David for the kingship, demonstrating that human evil cannot thwart divine purpose. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that true honor and lasting elevation come from God alone, often bestowed upon those who least expect or feel they deserve it.

* [Psalm 75:6-7](/psalms/75-6 "Psalm 75:6-7 - God Elevates the Humble")
* [Proverbs 18:12](/proverbs/18-12 "Proverbs 18:12 - Humility Precedes Honor")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's humble response in 1 Samuel 18:23 offers a timeless model for believers today. In a world that often champions self-promotion, ambition, and the pursuit of status, David's genuine humility stands out as a virtue worthy of emulation. His question, "Seemeth it to you a light thing... seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?" challenges us to examine our own hearts regarding honor, recognition, and our perceived worth. Do we truly understand that any elevation, success, or blessing we experience is ultimately a gift from God, rather than a result of our own merit? Furthermore, this narrative reminds us to cultivate discernment regarding the motives behind opportunities presented to us. While Saul's offer seemed beneficial, his underlying intent was malicious. We are called to trust in God's sovereignty, recognizing that even when human beings plot and scheme for ill, God can use those very circumstances to advance His divine purposes and elevate those He has chosen, refining our character in the process.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's response challenge our own perceptions of status and worth in the eyes of God and others?**
* **In what ways might God be using difficult or seemingly manipulative situations in our lives to advance His purposes or refine our character?**
* **How can we cultivate genuine humility in a world that often values self-promotion and external validation?**

### FAQ
**Why did Saul offer Michal to David after previously giving Merab to another?**

Answer: Saul's offers of his daughters in marriage were not genuine acts of paternal generosity but calculated traps designed to eliminate David, whom he perceived as a threat to his throne. He initially offered Merab, hoping David would die in battle against the Philistines while trying to earn her, but then reneged and gave her to Adriel the Meholathite ([1 Samuel 18:17-19](/1_samuel/18-17 "1 Samuel 18:17-19 - Saul's Broken Promise Regarding Merab")). When Michal, his younger daughter, openly expressed her love for David, Saul saw another, perhaps even more opportune, chance to ensnare David. Instead of demanding a traditional bride-price, Saul demanded a dowry of 100 Philistine foreskins, a perilous task he fully expected would lead to David's death ([1 Samuel 18:20-21](/1_samuel/18-20 "1 Samuel 18:20-21 - Saul's Treacherous Dowry Demand")). This highlights Saul's deep-seated jealousy, fear, and manipulative nature as his reign spiraled into spiritual decline.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's profound humility and his unexpected elevation from a "poor man, and lightly esteemed" to the king's son-in-law, and ultimately king, powerfully foreshadow the person and work of Jesus Christ. While David's humility was genuine, it pales in comparison to the self-emptying of the Son of God. Jesus, though eternally God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but **humbled Himself** by taking the form of a servant, being born in human likeness, and becoming obedient to death on a cross ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humiliation")). He was indeed "a poor man" in the sense that He had nowhere to lay His head ([Matthew 8:20](/matthew/8-20 "Matthew 8:20 - The Son of Man Has Nowhere to Lay His Head")) and "became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ Became Poor for Us")). Like David, who was "lightly esteemed" by human standards yet chosen by God, Jesus was despised and rejected by men, yet He is the chosen and precious cornerstone ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - He Was Despised and Rejected")). God's sovereign hand, which elevated David despite Saul's schemes, is supremely demonstrated in the resurrection and exaltation of Christ, whom God "highly exalted and gave Him the name that is above every name" ([Philippians 2:9](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9 - Christ's Exaltation")). Thus, David's story is a beautiful, albeit imperfect, echo of the ultimate humility and divine exaltation of our Lord and Savior, Jesus 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

Proverbs 14:20

¶ The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich [hath] many friends.

Psalms 119:141

¶ I [am] small and despised: [yet] do not I forget thy precepts.

1 Samuel 9:21

And Saul answered and said, [Am] not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?

Proverbs 19:6

¶ Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man [is] a friend to him that giveth gifts.

Proverbs 19:7

All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth [them with] words, [yet] they [are] wanting [to him].

Ecclesiastes 9:15

Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.

Ecclesiastes 9:16

Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard.