📖 1 Samuel — Chapter 18 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
1 Samuel 18:1 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that Rthe soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
1 Samuel 18:2 And Saul Rtook him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father’s house.
1 Samuel 18:3 Then Jonathan and David Rmade a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
1 Samuel 18:4 And Jonathan Rstripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.
1 Samuel 18:5 And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and RTbehaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.
1 Samuel 18:6 And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the TPhilistine, that Rthe women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with Tinstruments of musick.
1 Samuel 18:7 And the women Ranswered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.
1 Samuel 18:8 And Saul was very wroth, and Rthe saying Tdispleased 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?
1 Samuel 18:9 And Saul Reyed David from that day and forward.
1 Samuel 18:10 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Rthe 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.
1 Samuel 18:11 And Saul Rcast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.
1 Samuel 18:12 And Saul was Rafraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.
1 Samuel 18:13 Therefore Saul Rremoved him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.
1 Samuel 18:14 And David Tbehaved himself wisely in all his ways; and Rthe LORD was with him.
1 Samuel 18:15 Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very Rwisely, he was afraid of him.
1 Samuel 18:16 But Rall Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.
1 Samuel 18:17 And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, Rher will I give thee to wife: only be thou Tvaliant 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.
1 Samuel 18:18 And David said unto Saul, RWho am I? and what is my life, or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?
1 Samuel 18:19 But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul’s daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto RAdriel the Meholathite to wife.
1 Samuel 18:20 And Michal Saul’s daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing Tpleased him.
1 Samuel 18:21 And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be Ra 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 18:22 And Saul Rcommanded 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.
1 Samuel 18:23 And Saul’s servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you Ra light thing to be a king’s son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?
1 Samuel 18:24 And the servants of Saul told him, saying, TOn this manner spake David.
1 Samuel 18:25 And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any Rdowry, 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 18:26 And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king’s son in law: and the days were not Texpired.
1 Samuel 18:27 Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and Rslew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king’s son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife.
1 Samuel 18:28 And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul’s daughter loved him.
1 Samuel 18:29 And Saul was Ryet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David’s enemy continually.
1 Samuel 18:30 Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David Rbehaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much Tset by.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Samuel 18:1–9 — Friendship and jealousy
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jonathan covenants with David and gives him his equipment. David serves wisely and earns public acceptance, but praise of his victories provokes Saul's jealousy. The chapter contrasts generous friendship with rivalry over honor.
Key Truth: Another person's success can be received with loyalty or with envy.
Check What You Remember
1. Who made a covenant with David? (1 Samuel 18:3)
Find it in 1 Samuel 18:3 (KJV).
2. What garment did Jonathan give David? (1 Samuel 18:4)
Find it in 1 Samuel 18:4 (KJV).
3. How many did the song attribute to David? (1 Samuel 18:7)
Find it in 1 Samuel 18:7 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Samuel 18:10–16 — Saul fears David
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Saul throws a javelin at David and later removes him to a military command. David behaves wisely, and Israel and Judah love him. The narrator connects Saul's fear with the LORD's presence with David and departure from Saul.
Key Truth: Saul's hostility grows while David's service remains wise.
Check What You Remember
1. What weapon did Saul throw? (1 Samuel 18:11)
Find it in 1 Samuel 18:11 (KJV).
2. Whom was the LORD with? (1 Samuel 18:12)
Find it in 1 Samuel 18:12 (KJV).
3. How did David behave in his ways? (1 Samuel 18:14)
Find it in 1 Samuel 18:14 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Samuel 18:17–30 — Marriage offers become a trap
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Saul uses marriage proposals and a dangerous demand to seek David's death by Philistine hands. David survives and marries Michal, who loves him. Saul recognizes God's presence with David but becomes his continual enemy rather than accepting it.
Key Truth: An honorable-looking offer can conceal hostile intent.
Check What You Remember
1. Which elder daughter was first offered? (1 Samuel 18:17)
Find it in 1 Samuel 18:17 (KJV).
2. Which daughter loved David? (1 Samuel 18:20)
Find it in 1 Samuel 18:20 (KJV).
3. Which daughter became David's wife? (1 Samuel 18:27)
Find it in 1 Samuel 18:27 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
1 Samuel 16:13 — David's anointing and the Spirit's coming precede his growing prominence.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Compare Jonathan's giving with Saul's offers. How do their stated and concealed purposes differ?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How does Jonathan express his covenant love for David?
2. Why does the victory song anger Saul?
3. How does Saul’s fear contrast with David’s conduct?
4. What hidden aim lies behind Saul’s marriage offer?
5. What makes Saul still more afraid after Michal’s marriage?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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