TRV
Translation
King James Version
And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?
Complete Jewish Bible
Sha'ul became very angry, because this song displeased him. He said, "They give David credit for tens of thousands, but me they give credit for only thousands. Now all he lacks is the kingdom!"
Berean Standard Bible
And Saul was furious and resented this song. “They have ascribed tens of thousands to David,” he said, “but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom?”
American Standard Version
And Saul was very wroth, and this saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?
World English Bible Messianic
Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands. What can he have more but the kingdom?”
Geneva Bible (1599)
Therefore Saul was exceeding wroth, and the saying displeased him, and he sayde, They haue ascribed vnto Dauid ten thousand, and to me they haue ascribed but a thousand, and what can he haue more saue the kingdome?
Young's Literal Translation
And it is displeasing to Saul exceedingly, and this thing is evil in his eyes, and he saith, `They have given to David myriads, and to me they have given the thousands, and more to him is only the kingdom;'
In the KJVVerse 7,685 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on 1 Samuel 18 verses 6–11
6 ¶ 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.
7 And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.
8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?
9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
10 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand.
11 And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.
Now begin David's troubles, and they not only tread on the heels of his triumphs, but take rise from them, such is the vanity of that in this world which seems greatest.
I. He was too much magnified by the common people. Some time after the victory Saul went a triumphant progress through the cities of Israel that lay next him, to receive the congratulations of the country. And, when he made his public entry into any place, the women were most forward to show him respect, as was usual then in public triumphs (Sa1 18:6), and they had got a song, it seems, which they sang in their dances (made by some poet or other, that was a great admirer of David's bravery, and was more just than wise, in giving his achievements in the late action the preference before Saul's), the burden of which was, Saul had slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. Such a difference as this Moses made between the numbers of Ephraim and Manasseh, Deu 33:17.
II. This mightily displeased Saul, and made him envy David, Sa1 18:8, Sa1 18:9. He ought to have considered that they referred only to this late action, and intended not to diminish any of Saul's former exploits; and that in the action now celebrated it was undeniably true that David, in killing Goliath, did in effect slay all the Philistines that were slain that day and defeated the whole army; so that they did but give David his due. It may be, he that composed the song only used a poetic liberty, and intended not any invidious comparison between Saul and David; or, if he did, it was below the great mind of a prince to take notice of such a reflection upon his personal honour, when it appeared that the glory of the public was sincerely intended. But Saul was very wroth, and presently suspected some treasonable design at the bottom of it: What can he have more but the kingdom? This made him eye David as one he was jealous of and sought advantages against (Sa1 18:9): his countenance was not towards him as it had been. Proud men cannot endure to hear any praised but themselves, and think all their honour lost that goes by themselves. It is a sign that the Spirit of God has departed from men if they be peevish in their resentment of affronts, envious and suspicious of all about them, and ill-natured in their conduct; for the wisdom from above makes us quite otherwise.
III. In his fury he aimed to kill David, Sa1 18:10, Sa1 18:11. Jealousy is the rage of a man; it made Saul outrageous against David and impatient to get him out of the way. 1. His fits of frenzy returned upon him. The very next day after he conceived malice against David the evil spirit from God, that had formerly haunted him, seized him again. Those that indulge themselves in envy and uncharitableness give place to the devil, and prepare for the re-entry of the unclean spirit, with seven others more wicked. Where envy is there is confusion. Saul pretended a religious ecstasy: He prophesied in the midst of the house, that is, he had the gestures and motions of a prophet, and humoured the thing well enough to decoy David into a snare, and that he might be fearless of any danger and off his guard; and perhaps designing, if he could but kill him, to impute it to a divine impulse and to charge it upon the spirit of prophecy with which he seemed to be animated: but really it was a hellish fury that actuated him. 2. David, though advanced to a much higher post of honour, disdained not, for his master's service, to return to his harp: He played with his hand as at other times. Let not the highest think any thing below them whereby they may do good and be serviceable to those they are obliged to. 3. He took this opportunity to aim at the death of David. A sword in a madman's hand is a dangerous thing, especially such a madman as Saul was, that was mad with malice. Yet he had a javelin or dart in his hand, which he projected, endeavouring thereby to slay David, not in a sudden passion, but deliberately: I will smite David to the wall with it, with such a desperate force did he throw it. Justly does David complain of his enemies that they hated him with a cruel hatred, Psa 25:19. No life is thought too precious to be sacrificed to malice. If a grateful sense of the great service David had done to the public could not assuage Saul's fury, yet one would think he should have allowed himself to consider the kindness David was now doing him, in relieving him, as no one else could, against the worst of troubles. Those are possessed with a devilish spirit indeed that render evil for good. 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 meekness and usefulness of God's persecuted people and the brutishness and barbarity of their persecutors. The bloodthirsty hate the upright, but the just seek his soul, Pro 29:10. 4. David happily avoided the blow twice (namely, now, and afterwards, Pro 19:10); he did not throw the javelin at Saul again, but withdrew, not fighting but flying for his own preservation; though he had both strength and courage enough, and colour of right, to make resistance and revenge the injury, yet he did no more than secure himself, by getting out of the way of it. David, no doubt, had a watchful eye upon Saul's hand, and the javelin in it, and did as bravely in running from it as he did lately in running upon Goliath. Yet his safety must be ascribed to the watchful eye of God's providence upon him, saving his servant from the hurtful sword; and by this narrow escape it seemed he was designed for something extraordinary.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 6–11. Public domain.
Copy as
TertullianAD 220
PRESCRIPTIONS AGAINST HERETICS 3
It is usual, indeed, with persons of a weaker character, to be so built up in confidence by certain individuals who are caught by heresy, as to topple over into ruin themselves. How does it come to pass, they ask, that this woman or that man, who were the most faithful, the most prudent and the most approved in the church, have gone over to the other side? Who that asks such a question does not in fact reply to it himself, to the effect that men whom heresies have been able to pervert ought never to have been esteemed prudent or faithful or approved? This again, I suppose, is an extraordinary thing, that one who has been approved should afterwards fall back? Saul, who was good beyond all others, is afterwards subverted by envy. David, a good man “after the Lord’s own heart.” is guilty afterwards of murder and adultery. Solomon, endowed by the Lord with all grace and wisdom, is led into idolatry by women. For to the Son of God alone was it reserved to persevere to the last without sin.
BedeAD 735
Commentary on Samuel
Saul was greatly angered, etc. But the people who gloried in the law, angered against the preachers of grace, and the word displeased them, which, with the Gospel shining forth, set an end to the shadows of the law; and he said, raging against the Lord and against His Christ: Behold, the followers of this doctrine assert that while I indeed, doing the commands of the Mosaic law, serve shadows and figures, their Jesus brought the light of truth and life to the world; that through the law, good things of the earth, which cannot be everlasting, were promised to me; He through the grace of His Gospel grants the eternal joys of the heavenly kingdom to His faithful. Therefore, with everyone competing, neglecting the rite of the altar and sacrifices, to attend the hearing of this doctrine, what remains for me except only that he has not also taken away the summit of the kingdom from me? This because, although Christians, surpassing us in number, are all humbled and cast down in new and unknown poverty.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying 1 Samuel 18:8 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
1 Samuel 18:8 marks a tragic and irreversible turning point in the relationship between King Saul and David. Following David's triumphant return from military campaigns, the women of Israel celebrated his victories with a song that disproportionately praised David's "ten thousands" over Saul's "thousands." This public acclamation ignited a consuming wrath and profound displeasure in Saul, who immediately interpreted the song as a direct challenge to his authority and a harbinger of David's ultimate ambition for the throne. This verse vividly portrays the destructive power of unchecked envy and deep-seated insecurity, setting the stage for Saul's relentless, paranoid pursuit of David and the tragic decline of his reign.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices to convey Saul's internal state and the narrative's critical turning point. Foreshadowing is prominently featured, as Saul's paranoid question, "what can he have more but the kingdom?", directly foreshadows David's eventual ascent to the throne, even though Saul's desperate attempts to prevent it will ironically contribute to its fulfillment. There is a strong element of irony in Saul's reaction; his fear of losing the kingdom drives him to actions that ultimately alienate the people, demonstrate his unfitness to rule, and accelerate his downfall, thus paving the way for David. The women's song itself, with its numerical comparison, acts as a powerful catalyst, igniting Saul's pre-existing insecurities and bringing them to a destructive head. The stark numerical contrast between "thousands" and "ten thousands" is a form of hyperbole in the song, designed for poetic effect, but Saul interprets it literally and personally, revealing his self-centered perception and how deeply he internalizes perceived slights. Finally, "the kingdom" functions as a metonymy, standing not just for the physical territory but for the ultimate power, authority, and destiny of the king, which Saul fears losing above all else.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Saul's reaction in 1 Samuel 18:8 serves as a profound theological object lesson on the destructive nature of envy, insecurity, and a lack of trust in God's sovereign plan. His inability to celebrate David's success, coupled with his immediate leap to a paranoid conclusion about the kingdom, reveals a heart consumed by self-preservation rather than submission to divine will. This episode underscores the stark contrast between Saul's human-centered, insecure kingship and the Lord's intention to establish a king "after his own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14). Saul's fear of losing the kingdom, which he had already forfeited through disobedience, highlights his failure to grasp God's ultimate control over human affairs and the divine prerogative in establishing and removing kings. His envy not only poisoned his own soul but also led to years of turmoil and suffering for himself and the nation, demonstrating how sin, once given a foothold, can unravel lives and destinies, even for those once anointed by God.
This dangerous spiral of envy and insecurity is warned against throughout Scripture:
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Saul's tragic descent, vividly initiated in 1 Samuel 18:8, offers a potent cautionary tale for believers today. His response to David's success is a stark reminder of how quickly admiration can morph into envy, and how insecurity, left unchecked, can breed paranoia and destructive behavior. In a world that constantly encourages comparison and competition, it is crucial for us to guard our hearts against the subtle, corrosive influence of envy. Instead of viewing others' successes as a threat to our own standing or value, we are called to cultivate a spirit of genuine celebration and gratitude for the diverse gifts and callings within the body of Christ. Trusting in God's unique plan for each of our lives allows us to find contentment and peace, freeing us from the need to compare ourselves to others or to grasp for recognition. Ultimately, this passage challenges us to examine the motivations behind our reactions to others' achievements and to surrender our insecurities to the sovereign God who orchestrates all things for His glory and our good, knowing that true security is found not in human praise or position, but in Him alone.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was Saul so angry about a simple song?
Answer: Saul's anger was far from a reaction to a "simple song"; it was a deeply personal, political, and spiritual crisis triggered by public acclamation that directly compared him unfavorably to David. The song, "Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands," was a public declaration of David's superior military prowess and popularity, which Saul perceived as an existential threat to his authority and legitimacy as king. This triggered deep-seated insecurity and paranoia that had been simmering within him, especially given that God had already rejected him as king due to his disobedience (1 Samuel 15:23). The song simply brought his worst fears to the surface, confirming his suspicions about David's rising star and his own diminishing stature in the eyes of the people and, perhaps, of God.
Was Saul's fear of David taking the kingdom justified?
Answer: From a human, political perspective, Saul's fear was a self-fulfilling prophecy fueled by his own sin and insecurity. Theologically, his fear was indeed rooted in a divine reality, though his reaction to it was profoundly sinful. God had already chosen David to replace Saul as king (1 Samuel 16:13), and David was destined for the throne. However, David never sought to usurp Saul's position through force, treachery, or popular uprising. Saul's paranoid and violent attempts to thwart God's plan ultimately backfired, alienating the people, demonstrating his unfitness to rule, and ironically, accelerating his own downfall while elevating David in the eyes of the nation. Saul's fear was a distorted recognition of God's sovereign will, but his sinful response to that fear led to his tragic end, highlighting the futility of fighting against God's purposes.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Saul's jealous rage and desperate fear of losing his earthly kingdom stand in stark contrast to the true King, Jesus Christ, and illuminate the nature of His eternal kingdom. Saul, driven by insecurity and human ambition, grasped desperately at power, unable to rejoice in another's success. This is diametrically opposed to Christ, who, though "in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant" (Philippians 2:6-8). Jesus did not come to establish an earthly kingdom of military might or popular acclaim, but a spiritual one, declaring, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36). While Saul feared losing "the kingdom" and fought to retain it, Jesus willingly laid down His life to secure an eternal kingdom for all who believe, a kingdom not built on human comparison or achievement but on grace and self-sacrifice (Ephesians 2:8-9). David, though a flawed earthly king, ultimately foreshadowed Christ, the "Son of David" (Matthew 1:1), whose reign would be truly eternal and whose "ten thousands" of redeemed souls would be ascribed to Him alone, the Lamb who is worthy of all praise and glory (Revelation 5:11-12). Saul's tragic story thus points to the perfect humility, secure authority, and boundless love of the King who reigns not by force or fear, but by grace and truth, inviting all to find their security in His unshakeable dominion.