1 Samuel 18:25
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
וְשָׁא֣וּל
And Saul
H7586
וְשָׁא֣וּל
And Saul
Strong's:
H7586
Word #:
2 of 23
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
כֹּֽה
H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
3 of 23
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
חֵ֤פֶץ
desireth
H2656
חֵ֤פֶץ
desireth
Strong's:
H2656
Word #:
7 of 23
pleasure; hence (abstractly) desire; concretely, a valuable thing; hence (by extension) a matter (as something in mind)
כִּ֗י
H3588
כִּ֗י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 23
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בְּמֵאָה֙
but an hundred
H3967
בְּמֵאָה֙
but an hundred
Strong's:
H3967
Word #:
11 of 23
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃
of the Philistines
H6430
פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃
of the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
13 of 23
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
וְשָׁא֣וּל
And Saul
H7586
וְשָׁא֣וּל
And Saul
Strong's:
H7586
Word #:
17 of 23
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
חָשַׁ֔ב
thought
H2803
חָשַׁ֔ב
thought
Strong's:
H2803
Word #:
18 of 23
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
לְהַפִּ֥יל
fall
H5307
לְהַפִּ֥יל
fall
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
19 of 23
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Genesis 34:12Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say unto me: but give me the damsel to wife.1 Samuel 18:17And 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.1 Samuel 14:24And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.
Historical Context
Bride-prices were customary in ancient Near Eastern marriages. Extraordinary requirements sometimes tested the groom's devotion or capability. Collecting enemy foreskins proved kills while humiliating uncircumcised opponents.
Questions for Reflection
- When have impossible demands become opportunities for God to demonstrate His power?
- What does David's excess (200 instead of 100) teach about whole-hearted response to challenges?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And 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.
The bride-price of 'an hundred foreskins of the Philistines' was designed as a death sentence. Saul expected David to die attempting to collect such a gruesome dowry. The demand combined ritual humiliation of enemies with maximum danger to David. Yet what Saul intended for death became testimony to God's protection, as David returned with double the requirement (v.27).