1 Samuel 18:15 kjv
Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.
1 Samuel 18:15 nkjv
Therefore, when Saul saw that he behaved very wisely, he was afraid of him.
1 Samuel 18:15 niv
When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him.
1 Samuel 18:15 esv
And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him.
1 Samuel 18:15 nlt
When Saul recognized this, he became even more afraid of him.
1 Samuel 18 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sam 18:12 | Saul was afraid of David, for the LORD was with him... | Saul's initial fear due to God's presence. |
| 1 Sam 18:14 | And David was successful in all his undertakings, for the LORD was with him. | God's continuing favor and David's success. |
| 1 Sam 18:8 | ...Saul was very angry; this saying displeased him... | The origin of Saul's jealousy towards David. |
| 1 Sam 18:9 | ...Saul eyed David from that day forward. | Saul's continuous, watchful envy of David. |
| 1 Sam 16:14 | Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the LORD tormented him. | The spiritual root of Saul's internal turmoil. |
| 1 Sam 19:1 | And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants that they should kill David. | Saul's fear escalating into murderous intent. |
| 1 Sam 23:14 | And Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand. | Saul's persistent but failed pursuit, God protecting David. |
| Ps 27:1 | The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? | Contrast: David's trust versus Saul's fear. |
| Prov 14:30 | A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rotten. | The destructive physical and spiritual effect of envy on Saul. |
| Prov 27:4 | Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? | Saul's all-consuming jealousy and its power. |
| James 3:16 | For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. | Spiritual principle: Disorder and evil from envy. |
| Gen 4:5-6 | ...but for Cain and his offering he had no regard... Cain was very angry... | Parallel to Cain's jealous anger and resulting sin. |
| Phil 4:6-7 | Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation... | Saul's crippling fear contrasts with godly peace. |
| 2 Tim 1:7 | For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. | God's gift versus the spirit of fear plaguing Saul. |
| Isa 41:10 | Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. | God's promise to those He is with, which Saul lacked. |
| Rom 8:31 | If God is for us, who can be against us? | David's divinely secured position vs. Saul's opposition. |
| Matt 10:28 | And do not fear those who kill the body... rather fear him who can destroy... | The kind of fear to avoid vs. the fear of God. |
| Acts 7:46 | Who found favor in the sight of God and asked to find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. | Stephen's mention of David finding favor with God. |
| 1 Sam 16:13 | And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. | David's divine empowerment. |
| Prov 16:18 | Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. | Saul's pride and his looming downfall, fueled by fear. |
1 Samuel 18 verses
1 Samuel 18 15 Meaning
1 Samuel 18:15 describes the deepening and escalating fear of King Saul towards David. After observing David's wisdom and success, Saul recognized that the LORD was indeed with David, a realization that intensely terrified him. This fear was not reverential awe, but a crippling dread rooted in his own insecurity, jealousy, and the awareness that God had departed from him and was now powerfully with David. It highlights the spiritual shift and the devastating psychological impact of ungodly envy on Saul.
1 Samuel 18 15 Context
First Samuel Chapter 18 describes the meteoric rise of David in the eyes of the people and the deepening animosity of King Saul. After his victory over Goliath (1 Sam 17), David quickly gains national hero status and enters Saul's royal service. His successes in battle lead to popular acclamation, with the women singing, "Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands" (1 Sam 18:7). This public praise ignites a fierce jealousy and anger in Saul, stemming from his insecurity and the knowledge that the LORD had already departed from him (1 Sam 16:14). Verse 15 is a crucial point where Saul's emotional state shifts from initial suspicion and anger to a profound, abiding fear of David, intensified by clear evidence that God was actively empowering David in all his endeavors. This marks a turning point where Saul's jealousy escalates into an almost pathological dread, which subsequently drives his attempts to kill David.
1 Samuel 18 15 Word analysis
- When Saul saw: (וַיַּרְא שָׁאוּל, wayyar’ Sha’ul) - This indicates observation and perception. Saul is actively taking note of something, not just hearing. It implies an internal recognition of facts, specifically David's success and divine favor, which directly leads to his reaction.
- that he was very much afraid of him: (כִּי־הָיָה יָרֵא מִפָּנָיו מְאֹד, ki-hayah yare’ mippanayv m'od) - The "he" here refers to Saul. The Hebrew word yare’ (ירא) typically means 'to fear' or 'to dread,' but can also denote 'reverence.' In this context, it unequivocally means terror and dread. The phrase mippanayv (מִפָּנָיו), "from his face" or "before him," emphasizes a direct, confronting fear, as if David's very presence instilled terror. The intensifying adverb m'od (מאֹד), 'very much' or 'greatly,' highlights the profound degree of Saul's initial fear.
- he became still more afraid of him: (וַיִּזַל עוֹד מִפָּנָיו, wayyizal ‘od mippanayv) - The verb wayyizal is a less common form, interpreted by many as an intensifier of yare’, indicating 'to become even more afraid,' 'to shrink away in fear,' or 'to be filled with dread.' It implies a continued and growing dread that permeates his very being. The word ‘od (עוֹד), 'still more' or 'again,' underscores the escalating nature of this fear, demonstrating it wasn't a fleeting emotion but an increasingly dominant aspect of Saul's psyche.
1 Samuel 18 15 Bonus section
Saul's fear, as described in this verse, is distinct from the "fear of the LORD" taught in Proverbs as the beginning of wisdom. Saul's fear is worldly, rooted in self-preservation, insecurity, and envy. It incapacitates and corrupts, leading him away from God and into increasingly destructive actions. In contrast, the godly fear of David led him to trust God in the face of impossible odds. Saul's fear here marks a spiritual downward spiral for the king, confirming the deep spiritual chasm that now existed between him and David. This episode foreshadows the kingdom being definitively torn from Saul's hand due to his rebellion and fear-driven choices, ultimately demonstrating that those whom God favors need not fear human opposition.
1 Samuel 18 15 Commentary
This verse powerfully illustrates the consuming and corrupting nature of fear and envy in Saul. His "seeing" wasn't merely visual, but a deep, unwelcome realization of God's tangible presence and blessing upon David. This confirmation of David's divine favor served as a mirror reflecting Saul's own spiritual decline, particularly God's departure from him (1 Sam 16:14). Saul's fear escalated beyond initial jealousy into a pathological dread, because he perceived David as a threat not merely to his throne, but as a divinely sanctioned replacement, which amplified his insecurity. This destructive fear was a manifestation of the evil spirit tormenting him, directly opposing the peace and courage that come from trusting in the LORD. Ultimately, this deep-seated fear propels Saul down a tragic path of murderous intent, attempting to eliminate the very one God had chosen, highlighting the dangers of unchecked sinful emotions and opposition to divine will.