1 Samuel 18 18

1 Samuel 18:18 kjv

And David said unto Saul, Who 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 18:18 nkjv

So David said to Saul, "Who 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 18:18 niv

But David said to Saul, "Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king's son-in-law?"

1 Samuel 18:18 esv

And David said to Saul, "Who am I, and who are my relatives, my father's clan in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?"

1 Samuel 18:18 nlt

"Who am I, and what is my family in Israel that I should be the king's son-in-law?" David exclaimed. "My father's family is nothing!"

1 Samuel 18 verses

1 Samuel 18 18 Meaning

David's statement in 1 Samuel 18:18 expresses profound humility and a sense of personal and familial unworthiness to become the king's son-in-law. It highlights the vast social chasm David perceives between his humble origins and the elevated status of the royal family.

1 Samuel 18 18 Context

Chapter 18 describes David's meteoric rise following his victory over Goliath. His popularity soared, captivating the people and even Jonathan, Saul's son. However, Saul's initial favor turned into deep jealousy and intense paranoia as David's success eclipsed his own. Saul saw David as a rival for the throne. In this context, Saul offers his elder daughter Merab to David (v. 17), ostensibly as a reward for his military service, but his underlying motive, revealed later (v. 21), was to entrap David and see him killed by the Philistines in battle. David's response in verse 18 comes directly after this seemingly generous, yet ultimately manipulative, offer. It sets the tone for David's consistent humility and perhaps his keen perception of the political realities and dangers he faced.

1 Samuel 18 18 Word analysis

• And David said: Hebrew: וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד (wayyōʾmer Dawid). The phrase "David said" indicates a direct verbal response from David. David (Dawid) means 'beloved' or 'friend'.
• Who am I, : Hebrew: מִי אָנֹכִי (mi anochi). This is a rhetorical question common in biblical Hebrew, expressing profound self-abasement, a deep sense of unworthiness, or astonishment at a proposition. It is an idiom of humility.
• and what is my life,: Hebrew: וּמֶה חַיַּי (umeh chayyay). Lit. "and what my life." This phrase intensifies the preceding "Who am I?", emphasizing David's insignificance and the fleeting nature of human existence, further highlighting his perceived unworthiness.
• or my father's family: Hebrew: וּמִשְׁפַּחַת אָבִי (u-mishpachat avi). "My father's family" (mishpachat avi) refers to his clan or extended household, indicating his lineage and social standing. Jesse's family, though from Judah, was not a prominent, noble, or wealthy family within Israel.
• in Israel,: Hebrew: בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל (beYisrael). Specifies the national context, underscoring that even within the larger community of Israel, David's family held no particular eminence.
• that I should be a son-in-law to the king?: Hebrew: כִּי אֶהְיֶה חָתָן לַמֶּלֶךְ (ki ehyeh chatan la-melech). "That I should be" introduces the outcome that seems impossible or unfitting given his status. "Son-in-law to the king" (chatan la-melech) implies a position of high honor, privilege, political alliance, and close relationship to the throne. Such a marriage would typically be a dynastic union of significant import.

Words-Group Analysis

• "Who am I, and what is my life, or my father's family": This threefold expression creates a powerful crescendo of humility, covering personal identity, the substance of his being, and his social standing and lineage. It collectively paints a picture of extreme unimportance relative to the king.
• "son-in-law to the king": This phrase encapsulates the elevated status and immense political and social privilege associated with marrying a king's daughter. It highlights the vast socio-political gap that David addresses with his humility.

1 Samuel 18 18 Bonus section

The concept of "son-in-law to the king" carried significant political weight in ancient Near Eastern monarchies. Such a marriage often cemented alliances, served as a reward for loyalty or military prowess, or even designated a potential heir or trusted official. By expressing such unworthiness, David's words subtly affirm Saul's high position, while ironically foreshadowing God's ultimate plan to elevate David to the kingship itself. David's humility stands in direct opposition to Saul's increasing pride and defiance against God. His question of "who am I?" here finds its answer not in human worth but in divine election and grace, powerfully echoed in his later prayer of humility after God promises him an eternal dynasty (2 Sam 7:18).

1 Samuel 18 18 Commentary

David's response to Saul's offer is a multifaceted expression. On one level, it's genuine humility, acknowledging his pastoral background and the low social status of his family in Bethlehem relative to the royal house. This aligns with God's characteristically choosing the humble and raising them up, contrasting with Saul's prideful trajectory. On another level, it reveals David's astute awareness of the immense gap between commoner and king. Given Saul's deteriorating mental state and growing jealousy, David's deferential response might also be a diplomatic maneuver, carefully navigating a dangerous political landscape. It highlights a recurring theme in the biblical narrative: God exalts those who humble themselves, fulfilling His purpose often through unlikely, unassuming individuals.