1 Samuel 18:23
And Saul's servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king's son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?
Original Language Analysis
וַֽיְדַבְּר֞וּ
spake
H1696
וַֽיְדַבְּר֞וּ
spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
1 of 18
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
שָׁאוּל֙
And Saul's
H7586
שָׁאוּל֙
And Saul's
Strong's:
H7586
Word #:
3 of 18
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
בְּאָזְנֵ֣י
in the ears
H241
בְּאָזְנֵ֣י
in the ears
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
4 of 18
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַדְּבָרִ֖ים
those words
H1697
הַדְּבָרִ֖ים
those words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
7 of 18
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַֽנְקַלָּ֤ה
it to you a light
H7043
הַֽנְקַלָּ֤ה
it to you a light
Strong's:
H7043
Word #:
11 of 18
to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
בְעֵֽינֵיכֶם֙
Seemeth
H5869
בְעֵֽינֵיכֶם֙
Seemeth
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
12 of 18
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
הִתְחַתֵּ֣ן
son in law
H2859
הִתְחַתֵּ֣ן
son in law
Strong's:
H2859
Word #:
13 of 18
to give (a daughter) away in marriage; hence (generally) to contract affinity by marriage
אִֽישׁ
man
H376
אִֽישׁ
man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
16 of 18
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
Historical Context
Bride prices for royal marriages were substantial, beyond the means of common families. David's military position provided income but not wealth appropriate for royal alliance. His humble response may also reflect wariness given Merab's previous denial.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you maintain humble self-perception despite external success or recognition?
- What wisdom might lie in David's caution about seemingly generous offers?
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Analysis & Commentary
And Saul's servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king's son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?
David's response to the servants reveals continued humility: he describes himself as 'a poor man, and lightly esteemed.' The Hebrew rush (poor) and qalal (light/insignificant) contrast sharply with his actual reputation as national hero. Either David maintained genuine self-perception despite success, or he wisely recognized the social realities that made royal marriage an unlikely honor for one of his station. His question 'Seemeth it to you a light thing?' invites the servants to consider the enormity of what they propose.