1 Samuel 18:5
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּצֵ֨א
went out
H3318
וַיֵּצֵ֨א
went out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 20
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
בְּכֹל֩
H3605
בְּכֹל֩
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִשְׁלָחֶ֤נּוּ
sent
H7971
יִשְׁלָחֶ֤נּוּ
sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
5 of 20
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
יַשְׂכִּ֔יל
him and behaved himself wisely
H7919
יַשְׂכִּ֔יל
him and behaved himself wisely
Strong's:
H7919
Word #:
7 of 20
to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent
וַיְשִׂמֵ֣הוּ
set
H7760
וַיְשִׂמֵ֣הוּ
set
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
8 of 20
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
עַ֖ל
H5921
עַ֖ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אַנְשֵׁ֣י
him over the men
H582
אַנְשֵׁ֣י
him over the men
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
11 of 20
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
הַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה
of war
H4421
הַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה
of war
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
12 of 20
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
וַיִּיטַב֙
and he was accepted
H3190
וַיִּיטַב֙
and he was accepted
Strong's:
H3190
Word #:
13 of 20
to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
בְּעֵינֵ֖י
and also in the sight
H5869
בְּעֵינֵ֖י
and also in the sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
14 of 20
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
15 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֔ם
of all the people
H5971
הָעָ֔ם
of all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
16 of 20
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְגַ֕ם
H1571
וְגַ֕ם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
17 of 20
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
Cross References
1 Samuel 18:30Then 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.Colossians 4:5Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.Acts 7:10And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.Psalms 1:3And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.Ephesians 5:17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.Matthew 10:16Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.1 Samuel 13:2Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Beth-el, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.
Historical Context
The establishment of monarchy around 1050-1010 BCE represented a dramatic political and theological shift for Israel. Unlike surrounding nations where kings were considered divine or semi-divine, Israel's kings were supposed to function under God's ultimate authority as laid out in Deuteronomy 17:14-20. The Benjamite tribe occupied strategic territory between Ephraim and Judah, making Saul's selection a politically astute choice to balance tribal rivalries. Archaeological remains from this period show increased fortification and centralization of settlements, confirming the transition to state-level organization.
Questions for Reflection
- How does covenant faithfulness in this passage illuminate God's character and His commitment to His promises despite human unfaithfulness?
- What specific heart attitudes, thought patterns, or life practices does this passage call you to examine or change?
- How does the covenant relationship in this passage illuminate the new covenant established through Christ's blood?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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.
Jonathan's covenant with David exemplifies godly friendship that transcends personal ambition and family loyalty. Though Jonathan was heir to Saul's throne, he recognized God's choice of David and submitted to divine purposes. His willingness to risk his father's wrath to protect David demonstrates loyalty rooted in spiritual discernment rather than political advantage. The covenant between Jonathan and David foreshadows Christ's faithful friendship with believers, showing covenant love that sacrificially serves another's good even at personal cost.