1 Samuel 18:17

And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD'S battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.

And Saul {H7586} said {H559} to David {H1732}, Behold my elder {H1419} daughter {H1323} Merab {H4764}, her will I give {H5414} thee to wife {H802}: only be thou valiant {H1121}{H2428} for me, and fight {H3898} the LORD'S {H3068} battles {H4421}. For Saul {H7586} said {H559}, Let not mine hand {H3027} be upon him, but let the hand {H3027} of the Philistines {H6430} be upon him.

Sha'ul said to David, "Here is my older daughter Merav. I will give her to you as your wife; only continue displaying your courage for me, and fight ADONAI's battles." Sha'ul was thinking, "I don't dare touch him, so let the P'lishtim do away with him."

Then Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage. Only be valiant for me and fight the LORD’s battles.” But Saul was thinking, “I need not raise my hand against him; let the hand of the Philistines be against him.”

And Saul said to David, Behold, my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight Jehovah’s battles. For Saul said, Let not my hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.

Commentary

1 Samuel 18:17 reveals a pivotal moment in the deteriorating relationship between King Saul and David, highlighting Saul's escalating jealousy and cunning attempts to eliminate his rival.

Context

Following David's heroic victory over Goliath, he quickly gained immense popularity and military success, leading to Saul's initial admiration turning into bitter envy (1 Samuel 18:8-9). Saul had previously promised a great reward, including his daughter, to the man who defeated Goliath (1 Samuel 17:25). In this verse, Saul appears to be making good on that promise by offering his elder daughter, Merab, to David. However, his true intentions are revealed immediately after.

Key Themes

  • Saul's Treachery and Deception: Saul's offer of Merab is not a genuine act of honor but a calculated trap. He frames the condition of fighting the "LORD'S battles" as a noble duty, but his underlying motive is to expose David to fatal danger from the Philistines. This illustrates the depth of his fear and malice towards David.
  • The Peril of Envy: Saul's intense jealousy over David's growing fame and favor with God consumes him, driving him to increasingly desperate and wicked schemes. This serves as a strong biblical warning against allowing envy to take root in the heart.
  • Divine Protection: Despite Saul's repeated attempts to harm David, including this subtle plot, God consistently protects David. This foreshadows God's faithfulness in preserving His chosen servant for future leadership, even amidst profound human opposition.
  • "Fighting the LORD'S Battles": While Saul uses this phrase cynically to send David into harm's way, David genuinely saw his military service as fighting for God's purposes. This highlights the contrast between Saul's corrupt heart and David's devotion.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "valiant" (חַיִל - chayil) implies strength, ability, and military prowess. When Saul says, "be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD'S battles," he is outwardly commending David's military skill while inwardly hoping that David's zeal will lead to his demise. The phrase "LORD'S battles" is particularly ironic coming from Saul, who by this point is acting out of personal malice rather than divine mandate.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that not all seemingly good offers or opportunities come from pure motives. It encourages discernment and reliance on God's guidance when navigating complex relationships or proposals. It also powerfully illustrates the destructive nature of envy and how it can corrupt even those in positions of authority. Ultimately, it reinforces the comforting truth that God's plan and protection for His servants prevail over human plotting and malice. Saul's continued attempts to trap David are further seen in his offer of Michal later on (1 Samuel 18:21).

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 18:25 (5 votes)

    And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

  • 1 Samuel 17:25 (5 votes)

    And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, [that] the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.

  • 1 Samuel 25:28 (5 votes)

    I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee [all] thy days.

  • 1 Samuel 18:21 (4 votes)

    And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in [the one of] the twain.

  • 1 Samuel 17:47 (3 votes)

    And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle [is] the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.

  • 2 Samuel 11:15 (2 votes)

    And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.

  • Numbers 21:14 (2 votes)

    Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the LORD, What he did in the Red sea, and in the brooks of Arnon,