1 Samuel 18:7

KJV

And the women answered [one another] as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the women {H802} answered {H6030} one another as they played {H7832}, and said {H559}, Saul {H7586} hath slain {H5221} his thousands {H505}, and David {H1732} his ten thousands {H7233}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In their merrymaking the women sang, "Sha'ul has killed his thousands, but David his tens of thousands."

Berean Standard Bible

And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”

American Standard Version

And the women sang one to another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 18:7 captures the zenith of David's public acclamation following his victory over Goliath, as Israelite women celebrated his triumph with a song that dramatically elevated his military prowess above King Saul's. This seemingly innocent act of praise, declaring Saul's thousands and David's ten thousands, inadvertently ignited a deep-seated jealousy in the king, marking a critical turning point in the narrative that set the stage for the tragic conflict between the anointed king and the rising hero.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows David's momentous victory over Goliath in [1 Samuel 17](/1_samuel/17 "1 Samuel 17 - David and Goliath"). Having slain the Philistine giant and rallied the Israelite forces to a decisive victory, David is brought before Saul, and their initial interaction is described in [1 Samuel 18:1-5](/1_samuel/18-1 "1 Samuel 18:1-5 - David's Rise and Jonathan's Friendship"). The narrative then shifts to the return of the army, where the women's celebratory procession and song occur. This public acclamation of David's superior achievements serves as the direct catalyst for Saul's intense jealousy, which is explicitly stated in [1 Samuel 18:8-9](/1_samuel/18-8 "1 Samuel 18:8-9 - Saul's Jealousy Begins"), setting the stage for the escalating conflict that dominates the remainder of Saul's reign.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Celebratory processions involving women, music, and dance were a common feature of ancient Near Eastern cultures following significant military victories. Such events served to honor returning warriors and publicly acknowledge their achievements. The Philistine threat was a constant and existential danger to Israel, making any decisive victory, especially one as dramatic as David's over Goliath, a cause for immense national rejoicing. Kings were expected to lead their armies to victory, and their success was often measured by the number of enemies slain. The women's song, while perhaps intended as a genuine expression of joy and admiration, reflects a cultural understanding where military prowess directly correlated with a leader's honor and divine favor.
* **Key Themes:** This verse is pivotal in highlighting several major themes within 1 Samuel. Firstly, it underscores **David's Ascending Popularity**, demonstrating his rapid rise from obscurity to national hero, eclipsing even the reigning king. Secondly, it powerfully illustrates **Saul's Deepening Jealousy and Insecurity**, revealing how external praise for another can trigger destructive internal responses in a leader who feels threatened. This jealousy becomes a recurring motif, driving Saul's subsequent attempts on David's life, as seen in [1 Samuel 19:9-10](/1_samuel/19-9 "1 Samuel 19:9-10 - Saul's Attempt on David's Life"). Thirdly, the disproportionate success attributed to David implicitly points to **Divine Favor and Anointing**. While the song itself is human praise, the biblical narrative consistently frames David's victories as divinely enabled, contrasting 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 Departs from Saul")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **answered (Hebrew, _ʿānâ'_):** This word often implies responding in song or speech, particularly in a communal or antiphonal manner. Here, it suggests the women were singing in response to each other or to the returning army, creating a call-and-response dynamic that amplified their message. It emphasizes the public, collective nature of their declaration.
* **played (Hebrew, _śāḥaq'_):** This term denotes joyful activity, often involving dancing, singing, and musical instruments. It conveys a sense of celebration, mirth, and spontaneous rejoicing. The women were not merely speaking but were engaged in a vibrant, expressive performance, making their message even more impactful and widely heard.
* **ten thousands (Hebrew, _rĕbābâ'_):** This word literally means "myriad" or "ten thousand," but it is often used hyperbolically to signify an immeasurably large or vast number. In this context, it is a rhetorical exaggeration, not a literal casualty count, designed to emphasize the overwhelming scale and unparalleled nature of David's victory compared to Saul's. It highlights the immense impression David's feat made on the populace.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the women answered [one another] as they played":** This clause sets the scene, depicting the celebratory return of the Israelite army. The women, a common feature in ancient Near Eastern victory celebrations, are actively participating through song and dance ("played"). The phrase "answered [one another]" suggests an antiphonal or communal singing, amplifying their message and making it a widely heard public declaration.
* **"and said,":** This introduces the direct speech, the core of their celebratory song. It is the verbalization of their collective joy and admiration, which carries significant weight in a culture where oral tradition and public declarations were powerful.
* **"Saul hath slain his thousands,":** This part of the song acknowledges King Saul's military achievements, recognizing his role as the reigning monarch and commander. "Thousands" (Hebrew, _ʾelep_) represents a significant number, indicating that Saul had indeed led successful campaigns and was a respected warrior in his own right. This line sets up the comparison.
* **"and David his ten thousands.":** This is the climactic declaration of the song, where David's achievement is dramatically elevated above Saul's. The use of "ten thousands" (Hebrew, _rĕbābâ_, myriad) is a hyperbolic expression, signifying a victory so immense and extraordinary that it far surpassed any previous military feat. It underscores the profound impact of David's defeat of Goliath and the Philistines, cementing his unparalleled status in the eyes of the people.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. **Juxtaposition** is central, directly contrasting Saul's "thousands" with David's "ten thousands," immediately highlighting the perceived disparity in their achievements. This contrast is further amplified by **Hyperbole**, as "ten thousands" is a deliberate exaggeration intended to convey the overwhelming magnitude of David's victory and the depth of public admiration, rather than a precise numerical count. This hyperbolic praise functions as a form of **Foreshadowing**, subtly hinting at David's future ascendancy and Saul's inevitable decline. The women's song, a form of **Antiphonal Chanting** or responsive singing, also serves as a **Public Acclamation**, making the message widely known and deeply impactful, thereby setting the stage for the dramatic shift in power dynamics.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the dangers of human praise and the fragility of human leadership when it is not rooted in divine security. While the women's song was a natural expression of joy, its comparative nature exposed the insecure foundations of Saul's kingship, which relied on human approval rather than God's unfailing favor. The immediate consequence of this praise was not only Saul's jealousy but also his descent into madness and a relentless pursuit of David, demonstrating how unchecked envy can corrupt the soul and destroy relationships. The narrative subtly contrasts the Spirit-filled David, whose victories were truly from the Lord, with Saul, from whom the Spirit had departed, showing that true success and lasting leadership flow from God's anointing and presence, not from popular acclaim.

* [Proverbs 27:4](/proverbs/27-4 "Proverbs 27:4 - Envy's Cruelty")
* [Psalm 118:8](/psalms/118-8 "Psalm 118:8 - Trusting God Over Man")
* [Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - Serving Two Masters")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Samuel 18:7 serves as a powerful mirror reflecting the human tendency to compare and compete, and the destructive consequences that often follow. For leaders, it's a stark reminder that true security and authority come from God, not from the fickle praise of people. When we derive our worth from external validation, we become vulnerable to jealousy and insecurity when others are praised or succeed. This verse challenges us to cultivate a heart that genuinely celebrates the achievements of others, recognizing that every gift and success ultimately comes from God. It also calls us to examine our own reactions to the success of peers or subordinates. Do we rejoice with them, or do we feel a pang of envy? For the one being praised, it's a call to humility, remembering that "not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory" ([Psalm 115:1](/psalms/115-1 "Psalm 115:1 - To God Be the Glory")).

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically react when someone else receives significant praise or recognition, especially if I feel my own contributions are overlooked?**
* **What are the sources of my personal security and validation? Are they rooted in God's approval or in human applause?**
* **In what ways might unchecked envy or insecurity hinder my relationships or my ability to lead effectively?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that genuinely celebrates the successes of others without feeling threatened?**

### FAQ
**Why did the women sing this particular song, and was it intended to disrespect Saul?**

Answer: The women's song was likely a spontaneous expression of immense joy and relief following David's decisive victory over Goliath, which had delivered Israel from a long-standing Philistine threat. It was customary in ancient Near Eastern cultures to celebrate military heroes with songs and dances. While the song's comparative nature ("Saul his thousands, David his ten thousands") was deeply offensive to Saul, it was probably not intended as a deliberate act of disrespect or rebellion against the king. Instead, it was a hyperbolic declaration of David's extraordinary feat, which genuinely surpassed previous victories in the eyes of the people. The women were simply reflecting the overwhelming impact of David's achievement, which they perceived as exponentially greater than Saul's. Their focus was on the magnitude of David's deliverance, not necessarily on undermining Saul's authority, though that was the tragic outcome.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of David's meteoric rise and Saul's jealous decline in 1 Samuel 18:7 and subsequent verses powerfully foreshadows the ultimate King, Jesus Christ, who faced a similar, yet infinitely more profound, rejection by those in power. While David's earthly fame sparked human envy, Jesus, the true Son of David, came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). His "ten thousands" were not earthly enemies slain, but countless souls redeemed from the dominion of sin and death through His victory on the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Unlike Saul, who was consumed by insecurity and sought to destroy his perceived rival, Jesus, though the rightful King, humbly submitted to the will of His Father, even to the point of death ([Philippians 2:8](/philipians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility")). The world's praise and rejection did not define Him, for His authority and glory were inherent, derived from His divine nature, not from human acclamation. He is the Lamb of God who truly takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), and His triumph is eternal, not subject to the fleeting songs of men or the envy of earthly kings.

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

1 Samuel 21:11

And the servants of Achish said unto him, [Is] not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?

Exodus 15:21

And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

1 Samuel 29:5

[Is] not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?

Psalms 24:7

¶ Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

Psalms 24:8

Who [is] this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.