1 Samuel 18:17
And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD'S battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.
Original Language Analysis
וְשָׁא֣וּל
And Saul
H7586
וְשָׁא֣וּל
And Saul
Strong's:
H7586
Word #:
2 of 30
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
בִתִּ֨י
daughter
H1323
בִתִּ֨י
daughter
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
6 of 30
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
הַגְּדוֹלָ֤ה
Behold my elder
H1419
הַגְּדוֹלָ֤ה
Behold my elder
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
7 of 30
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
אֹתָהּ֙
H853
אֹתָהּ֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֶתֶּן
her will I give
H5414
אֶתֶּן
her will I give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
10 of 30
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אַ֚ךְ
H389
הֱיֵה
H1961
הֱיֵה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
14 of 30
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְבֶן
only be thou valiant
H1121
לְבֶן
only be thou valiant
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
16 of 30
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
חַ֔יִל
H2428
חַ֔יִל
Strong's:
H2428
Word #:
17 of 30
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
מִלְחֲמ֣וֹת
battles
H4421
מִלְחֲמ֣וֹת
battles
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
19 of 30
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD'S
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD'S
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
20 of 30
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְשָׁא֣וּל
And Saul
H7586
וְשָׁא֣וּל
And Saul
Strong's:
H7586
Word #:
21 of 30
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
23 of 30
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תְּהִ֤י
H1961
תְּהִ֤י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
24 of 30
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
יַד
Let not mine hand
H3027
יַד
Let not mine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
25 of 30
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וּתְהִי
H1961
וּתְהִי
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
27 of 30
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Cross References
1 Samuel 17:25And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.1 Samuel 25:28I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days.1 Samuel 18:25And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.1 Samuel 18:21And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.1 Samuel 17:47And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.
Historical Context
Royal marriages created political alliances and obligations. Saul's promise of his daughter to Goliath's slayer (17:25) created expectations he now manipulated. Sending David against Philistines provided honorable cover for his deadly hopes.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you discern when religious language masks ungodly intent?
- What does Saul's manipulation teach about the corruption of those who resist God's purposes?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD'S battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.
Saul's offer of his daughter Merab concealed murderous intent: 'Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines.' The promise 'be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD's battles' employed pious language for impious purposes. Saul would technically fulfill his promise from 17:25 while hoping David would die in combat. This manipulation represents using religious language to mask sinful agendas.