1 Samuel 18 9

1 Samuel 18:9 kjv

And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.

1 Samuel 18:9 nkjv

So Saul eyed David from that day forward.

1 Samuel 18:9 niv

And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David.

1 Samuel 18:9 esv

And Saul eyed David from that day on.

1 Samuel 18:9 nlt

So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.

1 Samuel 18 verses

1 Samuel 18 9 Meaning

1 Samuel 18:9 states that King Saul's disposition towards David fundamentally changed, shifting from any semblance of favor to deep suspicion and animosity, and this hostile watchfulness continued ceaselessly from that moment onward. The verse marks the tragic turning point where Saul's heart was consumed by jealousy and insecurity due to David's escalating popularity and God-given success, foreshadowing his prolonged persecution of David.

1 Samuel 18 9 Context

The immediate context of 1 Samuel 18:9 is crucial. Following David's monumental victory over Goliath, the Israelite women celebrated his return by singing, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands" (1 Sam 18:7). This public acclamation directly wounded King Saul's pride, who considered it an immediate and severe demotion of his status and prowess. Saul's subsequent furious reaction and internal monologue (1 Sam 18:8) — questioning what more David could aspire to than the kingdom itself — vividly sets the stage for the jealous "eyeing" described in verse 9. This single verse marks the swift and immediate psychological and spiritual deterioration of Saul, directly manifesting in the following verses (1 Sam 18:10-11) where he first attempts to kill David with a spear.

Broader biblical context reveals that Saul had already been rejected by God for his disobedience (1 Sam 13, 15), and the Spirit of the Lord had departed from him, being replaced by a tormenting evil spirit (1 Sam 16:14). In stark contrast, David had been secretly anointed by Samuel, and the Spirit of the Lord was upon him from that day forward (1 Sam 16:13). This pre-existing spiritual vulnerability in Saul, coupled with David's divine favor and human popularity, created the fertile ground for deep-seated envy to take root, turning Saul's heart from a leader to a persecutor.

1 Samuel 18 9 Word analysis

• And Saul eyed: The Hebrew verb for "eyed" is `anah (עָנָה, pronounced 'awnah'), specifically `ôw·nêd in this form. While it can mean "to observe" or "to answer," in this context, when connected with an antagonistic posture, it takes on the meaning of looking with suspicion, malevolence, or hostility, particularly rooted in jealousy. It implies a fixed, scrutinizing, and potentially harmful gaze, as if giving the "evil eye." This term is often linked to the concept of inward torment and affliction being outwardly expressed. Saul's "eyeing" was not casual observation but a deep-seated, simmering resentment, fueled by his pride and insecurity, already reflecting the departure of God's Spirit from him and the presence of an evil spirit.

• David: At this moment, David represents an innocent party, having merely achieved a divinely ordained victory that garnered public acclaim. He acted with courage and faith in the Lord, not seeking personal glory at Saul's expense. David embodies God's chosen successor, increasingly walking in the Spirit of the Lord, while Saul represents declining authority and a Spirit-less reign.

• from that day: The Hebrew phrase mê·hay·yō·wm hah·hū’ (מֵהַיּוֹם הַהוּא) literally translates to "from the day that." This is a precise temporal marker, signifying a definitive turning point. It highlights that the women's song was not just an irritant but the exact catalyst for a profound, permanent shift in Saul's mental and emotional disposition towards David. This was the moment Saul crossed an internal line.

• and forward: The Hebrew term wā·hā·lĕ·’â (וָהָלְאָה) translates to "and onward" or "henceforth." This emphasizes the enduring nature of Saul's hostile disposition. His jealousy was not a fleeting emotion but became a sustained, driving force that consumed him for the remainder of his life and reign. It indicates that the 'eyeing' developed into a consistent pattern of suspicious watching, plotting, and direct action against David.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "And Saul eyed David": This phrase concisely conveys the initiation of Saul's internal malevolence. It is the immediate consequence of human praise elevating David above Saul, and it reveals Saul's focus shifting from God-given leadership to personal competition. It encapsulates the deep envy that had taken root, becoming a cancerous presence in his heart.
  • "from that day and forward": This specific temporal marker underscores the permanency and escalating nature of Saul's hatred. It was not a momentary lapse of judgment but an irreversible decision to view David as an adversary. This continuous hostility is critical for understanding the subsequent narrative of Saul's relentless persecution and David's flight. It speaks to how unchecked envy can define a person's life trajectory, becoming a pervasive and destructive force.

1 Samuel 18 9 Bonus section

• The 'Evil Eye' Implication: In ancient cultures, a hostile gaze was often believed to convey actual harm, known as the "evil eye." While not explicitly stated, Saul's "eyeing" David carries this ancient connotation of a malevolent gaze intended to inflict distress or bring about misfortune, reflecting his deep-seated desire to harm David.
• Foreshadowing Christ's Persecution: Though not a direct type and antitype, Saul's persecution of the innocent and God-favored David out of envy loosely parallels how the religious leaders later delivered Jesus out of envy (Matt 27:18), showcasing a recurrent human propensity to resent those marked by divine favor or righteousness.
• God's Sovereignty vs. Human Emotion: This verse powerfully illustrates the tension between God's unwavering purpose (raising David) and human emotional weakness (Saul's envy). Despite Saul's consistent plotting "from that day and forward," God's hand protected David, highlighting that no human hostility can ultimately thwart divine decree.

1 Samuel 18 9 Commentary

1 Samuel 18:9 is a profoundly significant verse, marking the inception of King Saul's personal tragedy and David's protracted period of suffering. It vividly portrays the corrosive power of envy, transforming Saul from a respected leader into a tormented persecutor. His pride, deeply wounded by the women's praise elevating David's fame, metastasized into an unrelenting jealousy. This "eyeing" wasn't benign observation; it was a gaze steeped in suspicion and hostile intent, signifying a shift in his heart towards violence against the very person God had anointed. This verse reveals how external events, combined with internal spiritual decay (Saul's lack of the Spirit of the Lord), can trigger destructive pathways in individuals, leading to a focus on rivalries rather than righteous leadership. Saul’s persistent envy ultimately consumed him, diverting his energies from serving the nation to attempting to thwart God's divine plan for David. The verse is a powerful lesson on the dangers of comparing oneself to others and allowing jealousy to poison the soul.