1 Samuel 18:14 kjv
And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.
1 Samuel 18:14 nkjv
And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the LORD was with him.
1 Samuel 18:14 niv
In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him.
1 Samuel 18:14 esv
And David had success in all his undertakings, for the LORD was with him.
1 Samuel 18:14 nlt
David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the LORD was with him.
1 Samuel 18 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 39:2-3 | "The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man... and the LORD made all he did to prosper." | God's presence brings success (Joseph) |
| Josh 1:9 | "Be strong and courageous... for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." | God's promise of presence and success |
| Judg 6:12 | "The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said... 'The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor!'" | Divine presence enabling purpose (Gideon) |
| Ps 1:3 | "He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season... and in all that he does, he prospers." | God-honoring life brings success |
| Ps 37:3-6 | "Trust in the LORD... delight yourself in the LORD... commit your way to the LORD..." | Trusting God leads to guidance/success |
| Ps 89:20-24 | "I have found David My servant... My hand shall establish him... and My arm shall strengthen him." | God's covenant and empowerment of David |
| Ps 118:6-7 | "The LORD is on my side; I will not fear... The LORD is on my side among those who help me." | Confidence in God's helping presence |
| Prov 2:6 | "For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." | Source of true wisdom and prudence |
| Prov 16:3 | "Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts will be established." | Dedicating work to God ensures success |
| Jer 1:8 | "Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD." | God's presence delivers and sustains |
| Isa 41:10 | "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God." | God's comforting and empowering presence |
| 1 Sam 16:13 | "And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward." | God's anointing on David |
| 1 Sam 16:14 | "Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the LORD tormented him." | Contrast: God's absence for Saul |
| 1 Sam 18:12 | "Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul." | Direct contrast to Saul's decline |
| 2 Sam 7:9 | "And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you." | God's continuous presence with David |
| 2 Chr 15:9 | "And they gathered together from Manasseh and Ephraim and Simeon, for great numbers had deserted to Asa from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him." | God's presence attracts people |
| Matt 1:23 | "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel' (which means, God with us)." | The ultimate 'God with us' |
| John 15:5 | "Apart from Me you can do nothing." | Source of true capability |
| Rom 8:31 | "If God is for us, who can be against us?" | God's powerful support |
| Phil 4:13 | "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." | Empowerment through Christ's presence |
| James 1:5 | "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach..." | Source of wisdom |
1 Samuel 18 verses
1 Samuel 18 14 Meaning
David's exceptional success and prosperity in all his endeavors stemmed directly from the continuous and active presence of the LORD with him. This verse highlights divine favor as the true source of his triumphs and wise conduct during his service under King Saul, demonstrating God's guidance and protective hand.
1 Samuel 18 14 Context
Chapter 18 of 1 Samuel depicts David's meteoric rise in popularity after his victory over Goliath. This success directly contrasts with King Saul's increasingly erratic and insecure behavior. David is made a commander, gains the love of Jonathan and all Israel and Judah, and continually proves himself in battle. Saul's jealousy, fear, and murderous intentions escalate because he recognizes the divine favor on David that he himself has lost. This verse (18:14) serves as a key explanation for David's continued success and prudent conduct amidst Saul's machinations, reinforcing the spiritual truth that God's active presence is the ultimate source of effective leadership and prosperous living, regardless of external circumstances.
1 Samuel 18 14 Word analysis
- And David (וְדָוִד - ve'David): Refers to David, the son of Jesse, the one God chose to replace Saul as king. His actions are not merely human endeavors but part of God's unfolding plan.
- was successful/prospered (מַשְׂכִּיל - maskil): This Hebrew word implies acting wisely, being prudent, discerning, or having good success. It's not merely luck but intelligent, understanding action that leads to good results. It signifies God-given wisdom applied to his conduct, which then yields positive outcomes. This word also carries theological weight, appearing in Psalm titles ("maskil") referring to a didactic or contemplative psalm, suggesting spiritual understanding. His "success" (hatslach) is a result of his "wisdom/prudence" (maskil).
- in all his undertakings (בְּכׇל־דְּרָכָיו - b'khol-d'rakav): Literally, "in all his ways" or "in all his paths." This indicates comprehensive success, affecting every aspect of his military career and public life. His prosperity was not confined to one area but was universal in his actions, highlighting God's pervasive hand.
- for (וַֽיהוָה - va'Yehovah): The conjunction "for" clearly states the reason or cause for David's success. It introduces the foundational truth explaining his prosperity.
- the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal, active involvement and faithfulness. It signifies that it was not by chance, nor entirely by David's skill, but by the will and power of the divine, sovereign God.
- was with him (הָיָה עִמּוֹ - hayah immo): This core phrase is the theological linchpin. It denotes divine presence, favor, blessing, protection, and guidance. It implies that God's spirit and power were actively empowering David, enabling his discernment and leading him to prosperous outcomes. This contrasts starkly with God's spirit having departed from Saul (1 Sam 16:14), and directly explains why Saul feared David (1 Sam 18:12). This "being with" signifies intimate relationship and powerful support, validating David as God's chosen leader.
1 Samuel 18 14 Bonus section
The term "maskil" used here to describe David's actions carries a deeper spiritual nuance than simply "prosperous." It denotes a person acting with insightful understanding and spiritual wisdom, suggesting that David's successful actions were rooted in divine guidance, not just natural cunning. This connects David to the wise leadership motif seen throughout scripture, and ultimately points forward to Christ, the true King and perfect Maskil, who perfectly discerned and fulfilled God's will. Furthermore, the explicit statement "the LORD was with him" highlights a key theme in biblical narrative where God's presence signifies approval, power, and success for His chosen servants (e.g., Joseph, Moses, Joshua). Conversely, its withdrawal signifies decline, as seen with Saul, demonstrating that ultimate authority and efficacy rest solely with God.
1 Samuel 18 14 Commentary
1 Samuel 18:14 succinctly explains the underlying spiritual reality behind David's phenomenal rise and enduring success: "the LORD was with him." This verse transcends a simple observation of events, offering a profound theological statement. David's ability to act "prudently" (maskil) and achieve success "in all his ways" was not merely a testament to his human skill or charisma, but a direct consequence of God's active, empowering presence. This divine presence contrasts sharply with King Saul's diminishing stature and increasing paranoia, from whom the Spirit of the LORD had departed. The continuous divine favor on David underscored God's sovereign hand in orchestrating the transfer of kingship, affirming His chosen one and demonstrating that true power and prosperity emanate from communion with the Divine, not from human effort or political machinations alone.