1 Samuel 18 30

1 Samuel 18:30 kjv

Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.

1 Samuel 18:30 nkjv

Then the princes of the Philistines went out to war. And so it was, whenever they went out, that David behaved more wisely than all the servants of Saul, so that his name became highly esteemed.

1 Samuel 18:30 niv

The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul's officers, and his name became well known.

1 Samuel 18:30 esv

Then the commanders of the Philistines came out to battle, and as often as they came out David had more success than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly esteemed.

1 Samuel 18:30 nlt

Every time the commanders of the Philistines attacked, David was more successful against them than all the rest of Saul's officers. So David's name became very famous.

1 Samuel 18 verses

1 Samuel 18 30 Meaning

The verse 1 Samuel 18:30 details the sustained military success of David against the Philistine commanders, illustrating that his achievements consistently surpassed those of Saul's other officers. This consistent, divinely favored wisdom and prowess led to David's widespread fame and exalted reputation among the people. It emphasizes the contrast between David's escalating glory and Saul's diminishing stature.

1 Samuel 18 30 Context

1 Samuel 18 opens with David's initial immense popularity after slaying Goliath. This popularity, however, immediately sparks intense jealousy in King Saul. The chapter describes Saul's volatile swings between attempts to embrace David into his household, offering him his daughters in marriage, and then directly trying to kill him with a spear or through military campaigns designed to get David killed by the Philistines. Despite Saul's malicious intentions, David's continued military successes and prudent behavior gain him even greater favor with both God and the people. Verse 30 serves as the culmination of David's consistently excellent performance in warfare, especially compared to Saul's other servants, solidifying his esteemed reputation just as Saul's enmity reaches new heights. The phrase "his name became very highly esteemed" signals not just recognition, but a powerful moral authority and public veneration that rivaled, and ultimately surpassed, Saul's own.

1 Samuel 18 30 Word analysis

• Then: Connects to previous events, emphasizing continuity of action and consequences, particularly Saul's ongoing efforts to put David in harm's way.
• the Philistine commanders: Hebrew "sarney Philistim" (שָׂרְנֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים). "Sarney" means 'princes', 'lords', 'chieftains'. These were the rulers of the five major Philistine cities (Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, Gath). Their continued engagement signifies an ongoing military threat to Israel and presents continuous opportunities for David to prove himself. The repeated clashes underscore the deep, historical animosity between Israel and the Philistines, who were often tools in God's hand for both judgment and exaltation in Israel.
• continued to come out: Signifies repeated, relentless warfare. This was not a one-time engagement but a sustained period of conflict, providing David constant opportunities for service and showcasing his consistent ability. This persistent nature of the threat heightens David's enduring success.
• and as often as they came out: Reinforces the regularity and frequency of the military encounters. It shows David was consistently called upon and consistently delivered.
• David: The individual chosen and favored by God. His name increasingly became a symbol of national hope and divine blessing.
• had more success: Hebrew "yaśkîl" (יַשְׂכִּיל), from the root "śākal," meaning 'to act wisely', 'to understand', 'to prosper', 'to have success'. This word doesn't merely imply military victory but specifically wise and discerning action that leads to success. It points to David's strategic insight, not just brute strength, guided by God's wisdom. This "wisdom" is not worldly cunning but a divinely inspired prudence, contrasting sharply with Saul's impulsive and foolish actions.
• than all the servants of Saul: This phrase is a direct, clear comparison. It highlights David's unparalleled effectiveness within Saul's administration. It implicitly diminishes Saul's other men and, by extension, Saul himself, whose judgment and effectiveness are indirectly questioned through the accomplishments of David. This quantitative and qualitative superiority fed Saul's intense jealousy.
• so that his name became: Points to the consequence and widespread recognition of David's accomplishments. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, "name" (Hebrew: "shem" - שֵׁם) was intrinsically tied to one's character, reputation, authority, and essence. A great name indicated lasting honor and influence.
• very highly esteemed: Hebrew "niqâr me'od" (נִקָּר מְאֹד). "Niqâr" (from the root "yaqar") means 'to be precious', 'honorable', 'glorious', 'heavy with importance'. "Me'od" means 'very', 'exceedingly'. It indicates immense weight, value, and respect associated with David's reputation. His renown wasn't merely popular admiration; it was a deeply ingrained respect and honor, solidifying his position as a potential successor and drawing the loyalty of the people. This word also carries a connotation of value, emphasizing David's intrinsic worth and not just his performance.

• "Philistine commanders continued to come out": This phrase underscores the persistent nature of the threat David faced. It was not one or two battles but continuous engagement. It also highlights the sovereign plan of God using even an enemy to elevate His chosen servant.
• "David had more success than all the servants of Saul": This direct comparative phrase highlights David's exceptional performance and divine favor. It's a statement of qualitative and quantitative superiority, confirming David's rise at the expense of Saul's declining influence and the relative mediocrity of his other personnel. This sets the stage for David's ascendance and Saul's demise.
• "his name became very highly esteemed": This final clause encapsulates the ultimate impact of David's success. It speaks to his widespread and enduring renown, not merely as a skilled warrior but as a leader worthy of honor. This public recognition was foundational for his eventual kingship. The phrase speaks to the growing divergence between Saul, whose name was tarnished, and David, whose name was exalted, fulfilling aspects of divine promises related to naming.

1 Samuel 18 30 Bonus section

The continuous engagement with the "Philistine commanders" is a literary device highlighting David's repeated exposure to significant danger, designed by Saul to eliminate him. Yet, ironically, each instance serves to elevate David further, proving God's hand in his protection and promotion. This repetition underscores a theological theme: human efforts to thwart God's plans are ultimately futile. Saul's repeated failures to destroy David parallel the broader biblical narrative of divine sovereignty overcoming human rebellion and weakness. The term "Philistine commanders" would have evoked a powerful, organized, and idol-worshipping enemy to the original Israelite audience, making David's successes over them even more significant as a testament to Yahweh's supremacy. The contrast drawn with "all the servants of Saul" also signifies a deepening division within Israel – a "Davidic" faction forming implicitly against the increasingly unstable Saul.

1 Samuel 18 30 Commentary

1 Samuel 18:30 serves as a powerful summary statement, capping David's ascendancy within King Saul's court and the wider Israelite society. The Philistines, perennial adversaries, unwittingly become catalysts for David's elevation. Each military engagement, rather than ending David's career as Saul hoped, only amplifies David's divinely-granted wisdom and success. The word "success" (Heb. śākal) is crucial, implying not just physical victory but a strategic, Spirit-infused insight. David’s prudence, marked by dependence on God, stood in stark contrast to Saul's increasing rashness. This consistently superior performance over all of Saul's men solidified his reputation ("his name became very highly esteemed"). In ancient cultures, the "name" encapsulated identity and destiny; for David, it foreshadowed his anointing and destiny as king. The verse highlights God's unwavering favor upon David, providentially using the ongoing Philistine threat and Saul's malevolence to establish David's reputation and prepare the way for his future kingship. It demonstrates how God can cause the humble to be exalted, even through challenging circumstances.