1 Samuel 18:5 kjv
And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.
1 Samuel 18:5 nkjv
So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and behaved wisely. And Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul's servants.
1 Samuel 18:5 niv
Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul's officers as well.
1 Samuel 18:5 esv
And David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him, so that Saul set him over the men of war. And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul's servants.
1 Samuel 18:5 nlt
Whatever Saul asked David to do, David did it successfully. So Saul made him a commander over the men of war, an appointment that was welcomed by the people and Saul's officers alike.
1 Samuel 18 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 39:3 | "And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand." | Joseph's God-given prosperity and favor. |
| Num 27:17 | "who may go out before them and come in before them, who may lead them out and bring them in..." | Leadership qualifications and divine appointment. |
| Jos 1:7-8 | "Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law... that you may prosper wherever you go." | Wisdom and success through obedience to God's word. |
| Ps 1:3 | "He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers." | The prosperity of the righteous. |
| Prov 3:3-4 | "Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you... so you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man." | Wisdom leads to favor. |
| Prov 14:35 | "A king’s favor is toward a servant who deals wisely, but his wrath is toward him who acts shamefully." | Wise servant gains king's favor. |
| Eccl 9:11 | "The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge..." | Success can also be by God's providence, but here wisdom is the cause. |
| Dan 1:17 | "As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom..." | God grants wisdom and understanding. |
| Dan 6:3-4 | "Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him..." | Daniel's excellence and wisdom. |
| 1 Sam 16:13 | "And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward." | Source of David's capability and wisdom. |
| 1 Sam 16:18 | "He is skillful in playing, a mighty warrior, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence..." | Early description of David's competence. |
| 1 Sam 18:7-9 | "And the women sang... Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands... And Saul eyed David from that day on." | Saul's growing jealousy and evil intent. |
| 1 Sam 18:12 | "Saul was afraid of David because the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul." | Divine presence made David effective. |
| 1 Sam 18:14 | "And David had success in all his undertakings, for the LORD was with him." | Repeated emphasis on God's hand in David's success. |
| Lk 2:52 | "And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man." | Parallel growth in wisdom and favor for Christ. |
| Acts 6:3 | "Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom..." | Qualities for appointed leaders. |
| Rom 12:16 | "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight." | Caution against self-perceived wisdom. |
| Eph 5:15 | "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise..." | Exhortation to walk wisely. |
| Col 4:5 | "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time." | Christian conduct should be marked by wisdom. |
| Jas 3:17 | "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." | Definition of true, godly wisdom. |
1 Samuel 18 verses
1 Samuel 18 5 Meaning
1 Samuel 18:5 describes David's exceptional performance and subsequent widespread acceptance after his victory over Goliath. David consistently acted with wisdom and discernment in every mission Saul entrusted to him, leading to his elevation by Saul to a command position over the army. This wise conduct and military success garnered him favor not only from the general populace but also from those closest to Saul, including his own servants. The verse highlights David's immediate ascent and popularity, which would soon become a source of profound jealousy for King Saul.
1 Samuel 18 5 Context
This verse immediately follows David's momentous victory over Goliath in 1 Samuel chapter 17, which brought him into King Saul's immediate sphere of influence. Chapter 17 concluded with David being brought to Saul, presumably to join his court or army due to his bravery and skill. 1 Samuel 18:5 acts as a bridge, demonstrating how David swiftly moved from a shepherd boy to a prominent figure in Israelite society and Saul's administration. It sets the stage for the dramatic shift in Saul's disposition toward David, moving from initial approval and appointment to intense jealousy and attempts on David's life. The historical context reflects a time when a king's rule was heavily reliant on military prowess and divine favor, both of which David exemplified, much to the initial delight and eventual dismay of Saul.
1 Samuel 18 5 Word analysis
- And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him: This phrase highlights David's obedience and dutiful submission to Saul's authority, contrasting sharply with Saul's own disobedience to God. It shows David as a loyal servant, not seeking personal glory but fulfilling his assigned tasks.
- behaved himself wisely (Hebrew: שָׂכַל - sakal): This is a crucial term. Sakal means to act prudently, with skill, insight, and understanding. It signifies successful, discerning behavior leading to prosperity and accomplishment. This isn't just common sense, but a spiritual discernment rooted in divine enablement, implying God's guidance was upon him, making his actions effective and resulting in favor and success.
- and Saul set him over the men of war: This indicates Saul's explicit recognition of David's capabilities and his subsequent promotion. It signifies a significant step in David's military career, entrusting him with substantial responsibility. The "men of war" likely refers to the active fighting force, rather than just the domestic guard.
- and he was accepted in the sight of all the people: David's popularity stemmed from his military successes (after Goliath and beyond) and his wise conduct. "Accepted" denotes public approval, favor, and positive regard. This broad acceptance, a hallmark of popular leaders, established him as a national hero.
- and also in the sight of Saul's servants: This phrase reinforces the depth and breadth of David's acceptance. It wasn't just the common people, but even those close to Saul, who had reason to be loyal to the king, recognized and approved of David's wisdom and effectiveness. This indicates his qualities were undeniable even to those within the palace.
1 Samuel 18 5 Bonus section
The repeated emphasis on David's "wisdom" and "success" throughout this chapter (1 Sam 18:5, 14, 15, 30) underscores a key theme: God’s anointing equips and prospers His chosen servants. David’s wisdom was a result of the Lord being with him, a direct counterpoint to the Spirit of the Lord departing from Saul (1 Sam 16:14). This contrast illuminates the true source of effective leadership: not merely human skill or military might, but divine presence and empowerment. The universal acceptance of David by "all the people" and "Saul's servants" suggests a providential hand orchestrating public opinion to acknowledge God's chosen king. This also serves as a literary device to intensify Saul's jealousy, as David's growing favor among all strata of society directly threatened Saul's authority and legacy.
1 Samuel 18 5 Commentary
1 Samuel 18:5 marks a pivotal moment, portraying David's rapid ascent in status and popularity following his courageous act against Goliath. His "wisdom" (sakal) signifies more than mere shrewdness; it points to a divinely inspired prudence that ensured his success in every task. This effective conduct not only earned him Saul's initial trust and a significant promotion but also garnered the universal approval of both the populace and the king's own court. This widespread acceptance underscored God's favor on David, simultaneously highlighting the king's increasingly fragile position as public adulation shifted towards David. The verse establishes the foundational cause for Saul's burgeoning jealousy, as David's God-blessed wisdom and favor stood in stark contrast to Saul's diminishing spiritual authority and eventual rejection by God.