1 Samuel 18:13 kjv
Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.
1 Samuel 18:13 nkjv
Therefore Saul removed him from his presence, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.
1 Samuel 18:13 niv
So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns.
1 Samuel 18:13 esv
So Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand. And he went out and came in before the people.
1 Samuel 18:13 nlt
Finally, Saul sent him away and appointed him commander over 1,000 men, and David faithfully led his troops into battle.
1 Samuel 18 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sam 18:8 | Then Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him... | Saul's immediate anger due to David's praise |
| 1 Sam 18:9 | And Saul eyed David from that day forward. | Saul's suspicion and jealousy begin |
| 1 Sam 18:12 | Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul. | Core reason for Saul's actions: God's presence |
| 1 Sam 18:14 | And David had success in all his undertakings, for the LORD was with him. | God's continued blessing on David |
| 1 Sam 18:15 | When Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him. | Saul's increasing fear and awe of David |
| 1 Sam 18:17 | Then Saul said to David, "Here is my elder daughter Merab... Only be valiant for me and fight the LORD's battles." For Saul thought, "Let not my hand be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him." | Saul's true intent to use battles for David's death |
| 1 Sam 18:21 | And Saul thought, "I will give her to him, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him." | Another instance of Saul using warfare against David |
| 1 Sam 18:29 | And Saul was even more afraid of David. So Saul was David's enemy continually. | Saul's deepening enmity and fear |
| 1 Sam 19:1 | Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David. | Saul's murderous intent becomes explicit |
| 1 Sam 20:31 | For as long as the son of Jesse lives on earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. | Saul reveals his understanding of David as threat to kingship |
| 1 Sam 16:13 | And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. | Divine anointing and favor upon David |
| 1 Sam 16:14 | Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul... | Contrast: God's departure from Saul |
| 2 Sam 5:10 | And David became greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of hosts, was with him. | Affirmation of God's continuing presence with David |
| Psa 75:6-7 | For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the judge: He puts down one and exalts another. | God's sovereign hand in promotion and demotion |
| Gen 41:40-43 | You shall be over my house... Only in the throne will I be greater than you... Then Pharaoh took his signet ring... and made him second in command over all the land of Egypt. | Joseph's true elevation, contrasting Saul's false one |
| Deut 1:15 | So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and experienced men, and made them heads over you, commanders of thousands, commanders of hundreds... | Example of established military ranks |
| Judg 11:8 | And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, "Come and be our commander, that we may fight with the Ammonites." | Jephthah appointed as military leader |
| Acts 5:17-18 | But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy they laid hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. | Jealousy leading to persecution of God's chosen |
| Prov 27:4 | Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? | Proverbs on the destructive power of jealousy |
| John 15:19 | If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. | Spiritual principle of the world opposing God's chosen |
| Gal 4:16 | Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? | One often becomes an enemy when speaking truth |
1 Samuel 18 verses
1 Samuel 18 13 Meaning
1 Samuel 18:13 details King Saul's action of removing David from his immediate royal presence and appointing him as a commander over a thousand soldiers. This apparent promotion was, in reality, a deliberate maneuver by Saul, driven by escalating jealousy and fear of David's immense popularity and divine favor, aiming to distance David from the court and expose him to the perils of war, hoping for his demise.
1 Samuel 18 13 Context
1 Samuel chapter 18 directly follows David's legendary triumph over Goliath (1 Samuel 17). David's victory brought him instant fame and the favor of the people, eclipsing King Saul's own stature. Jonathan, Saul's son, forms a deep covenantal friendship with David, acknowledging his divine favor (1 Samuel 18:1-4). However, as David returns victorious, the women of Israel sing, "Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands" (1 Samuel 18:7). This public acclamation instantly kindled intense jealousy and anger in Saul, leading him to view David as a threat to his kingship. In his agitated state, under the influence of an evil spirit that tormented him (1 Samuel 18:10), Saul first attempted to kill David by throwing a spear at him (1 Samuel 18:11). After this direct assassination attempt failed, and recognizing that the Lord was with David while His Spirit had departed from himself (1 Samuel 18:12), Saul pivoted to a different strategy for David's removal and potential elimination. Verse 13 is Saul's cunning and desperate next move to deal with the one whom God had blessed, revealing his insecurity and departure from God's guidance. Historically, this marks a significant shift in David's life, from court musician and armor-bearer to a high-ranking military officer continually operating under Saul's suspicion and threats.
1 Samuel 18 13 Word analysis
- So Saul: The word "So" (often a translation of the Hebrew waw consecutive) establishes a direct consequence or result. It links Saul's action in this verse directly to his growing fear and animosity mentioned in the preceding verse (1 Sam 18:12), highlighting that this was not a spontaneous decision but a deliberate, fear-driven maneuver.
- sent him away: The Hebrew verb is shalach (שָׁלַח), meaning "to send," "send away," or "dismiss." Coupled with the preposition me'immo (מֵעִמּוֹ), "from him" or "from his presence," it emphasizes the intent of distancing David from the immediate royal court and Saul's personal supervision. This removal signifies Saul's desire to diminish David's presence and influence, perhaps believing that distance would lessen the perceived threat or the people's direct adoration for David. It's a calculated move to isolate David.
- from him: Reinforces the physical separation desired by Saul. David was serving close to Saul as a minstrel and an armor-bearer; this action effectively removed him from this privileged, intimate position.
- and made him commander: The Hebrew verb is vayisimehu (וַיְשִׂמֵהוּ), derived from śîm (שׂוּם), meaning "to put," "place," or "appoint." The term śar (שַׂר) translates to "prince," "chief," "official," or "commander." This signifies a formal, authoritative appointment. While appearing as an advancement, it was veiled with sinister intent by Saul. This kind of official appointment implies delegated authority and responsibility for managing a significant military unit, indicating it was not a minor role.
- of a thousand: The Hebrew elef (אֶלֶף) signifies "a thousand" (referring to people). This designates David's new rank as a sar-elef, a captain over a thousand soldiers. In Israel's military hierarchy (as seen in Exod 18:21; Deut 1:15), a commander of a thousand was a high-ranking officer. Such a position inherently involved leading troops into battle. For Saul, this "promotion" was a thinly disguised strategy to expose David to continuous danger on the battlefield, hoping the Philistines or other enemies would eliminate him, sparing Saul the guilt of direct assassination (1 Sam 18:17, 21). Thus, what seems like elevation was actually a desperate plot stemming from Saul's growing spiritual and psychological instability.
1 Samuel 18 13 Bonus section
- Saul's action in this verse represents a clear illustration of administrative abuse of power, where authority is used not for the public good or for meritocratic advancement, but for personal vengeance and the elimination of a perceived threat. This mirrors patterns seen throughout history when leaders prioritize their insecurity over justice.
- The phrase "commander of a thousand" suggests a significant test for David's leadership capabilities, requiring not just bravery but strategic planning and the ability to command and care for a large unit. God often uses such "promotions" (even if maliciously intended by man) to equip and refine His chosen servants for greater future responsibilities.
- This verse provides a crucial turning point, shifting David's role from a largely domestic servant and musician within the palace to a frontline military leader. This new phase would see him continually face battles, solidifying his reputation among the people and giving him invaluable experience for his future reign.
1 Samuel 18 13 Commentary
1 Samuel 18:13 is a testament to the tragic degeneration of King Saul, driven by jealousy and fear. Following his failed direct attempt on David's life, Saul employs a cunning, deceptive strategy: to promote David out of sight, placing him in a position that appears honorable but is designed for his demise. Becoming a "commander of a thousand" was a significant military appointment, yet Saul's true intention was to distance David from the court's affections and expose him continually to the dangers of warfare. Saul harbored a malicious hope that David would fall in battle against the Philistines (1 Sam 18:17). This subtle but sinister manipulation highlights the depravity of a heart alienated from God, where self-preservation and envy trump righteousness and loyalty. David's consistent success and wisdom in this perilous new role, even under duress, further confirm the Lord's protective hand and divine plan for his life, frustrating Saul's every machination and ultimately validating David's worthiness for leadership. The verse thus sets the stage for a prolonged period of trials and refining for David, all under the sovereign oversight of God, who turns evil intentions into instruments for His perfect will.