Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” New Living Translation This was their song: “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!” English Standard Version And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” Berean Standard Bible And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” King James Bible And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. New King James Version So the women sang as they danced, and said: “Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.” New American Standard Bible The women sang as they played, and said, “Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.” NASB 1995 The women sang as they played, and said, “Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.” NASB 1977 And the women sang as they played, and said, “Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.” Legacy Standard Bible And the women sang as they were merry and said, “Saul has struck his thousands, And David his ten thousands.” Amplified Bible The women sang as they played and danced, saying, “Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.” Christian Standard Bible As they danced, the women sang: Saul has killed his thousands, but David his tens of thousands. Holman Christian Standard Bible As they celebrated, the women sang: Saul has killed his thousands, but David his tens of thousands. American Standard Version And the women sang one to another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands. Contemporary English Version They sang: Saul has killed a thousand enemies; David has killed ten thousand! English Revised Version And the women sang one to another in their play, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. GOD'S WORD® Translation The women who were celebrating sang, "Saul has defeated thousands but David tens of thousands!" Good News Translation In their celebration the women sang, "Saul has killed thousands, but David tens of thousands." International Standard Version As the women sang and played, they said, "Saul has struck down his thousands but David his ten thousands." Majority Standard Bible And as the women danced, they sang out: ?Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.? NET Bible The women who were playing the music sang, "Saul has struck down his thousands, but David his tens of thousands!" New Heart English Bible The women sang one to another as they played, and said, "Saul has slain his thousands, David his ten thousands." Webster's Bible Translation And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. World English Bible The women sang to one another as they played, and said, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand the women answer—those playing, and say, “Saul has struck among his thousands, "" And David among his myriads.” Young's Literal Translation and the women answer -- those playing, and say, 'Saul hath smitten among his thousands, And David among his myriads.' Smith's Literal Translation And the women will answer, playing, and they will say, Saul smote with his thousand and David with his ten thousands. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the women sung as they played, and they said: Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands. Catholic Public Domain Version And the women sang, as they played, saying, “Saul has struck down a thousand, and David ten thousand.” New American Bible The women played and sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, David his tens of thousands.” New Revised Standard Version And the women sang to one another as they made merry, “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the women sang as they played, and laughed, saying, Saul has slain by thousands, and David by tens of thousands. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the women were responding and laughing and saying: “Shaul killed thousands and David ten thousands!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the women sang one to another in their play, and said: Saul hath slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the women began the strain, and said, Saul has smitten his thousands, and David his ten thousands. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Saul Envies David…6As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other instruments. 7And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 8And Saul was furious and resented this song. “They have ascribed tens of thousands to David,” he said, “but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom?”… Cross References 1 Samuel 21:11 But the servants of Achish said to him, “Is this not David, the king of the land? Did they not sing about him in their dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?” 1 Samuel 29:5 Is this not the David about whom they sing in their dances: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?” Judges 11:34 And when Jephthah returned home to Mizpah, there was his daughter coming out to meet him with tambourines and dancing! She was his only child; he had no son or daughter besides her. 2 Samuel 6:5 David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of wood instruments, harps, stringed instruments, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals. 2 Samuel 18:3 But the people pleaded, “You must not go out! For if we have to flee, they will not care about us. Even if half of us die, they will not care. But you are worth ten thousand of us. It is better now if you support us from the city.” 2 Samuel 19:9-10 And all the people throughout the tribes of Israel were arguing, “The king rescued us from the hand of our enemies and delivered us from the hand of the Philistines, but now he has fled the land because of Absalom. / But Absalom, the man we anointed over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about restoring the king?” 1 Kings 18:21 Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word. 1 Chronicles 13:8 David and all the Israelites were celebrating before God with all their might, with songs and on harps and lyres, with tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets. 1 Chronicles 15:28 So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, with the sounding of rams’ horns and trumpets, and with cymbals and the music of harps and lyres. Psalm 68:25 The singers lead the way, the musicians follow after, among the maidens playing tambourines. Psalm 144:9-10 I will sing to You a new song, O God; on a harp of ten strings I will make music to You— / to Him who gives victory to kings, who frees His servant David from the deadly sword. Ecclesiastes 7:5 It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools. Matthew 21:9 The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!” Matthew 27:42 “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. Mark 11:9-10 The ones who went ahead and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” / “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest!” Treasury of Scripture And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. answered Exodus 15:21 Psalm 24:7,8 Saul 1 Samuel 21:11 1 Samuel 29:5 Jump to Previous Danced David Death Merry Myriads Play Played Playing Sang Saul Slain Song Ten Tens Thousands WomenJump to Next Danced David Death Merry Myriads Play Played Playing Sang Saul Slain Song Ten Tens Thousands Women1 Samuel 18 1. Jonathan befriends David5. Saul envies his praise 10. seeks to kill him in his fury 12. fears him for his good success 17. offers him his daughters for snare 23. David persuaded to be the king's son-in-law, 25. gives two hundred foreskins of the Philistines for Michal's dowry 28. Saul's hatred and David's glory increase As they danced This phrase captures a moment of celebration and communal joy. In ancient Israel, dancing was often a part of victory celebrations and religious festivals. The Hebrew root for "danced" is "חול" (chul), which can also mean to whirl or spin. This suggests a lively, exuberant expression of emotion. The cultural context of dancing in the Bible often signifies a response to God's deliverance or blessing, indicating that the people recognized a divine hand in their victories. the women sang Saul has slain his thousands and David his tens of thousands Persons / Places / Events 1. SaulThe first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. Saul's reign is marked by his initial obedience to God, followed by disobedience and jealousy, particularly towards David. 2. David A young shepherd who was anointed by Samuel to be the future king of Israel. Known for his faith in God, David becomes a celebrated warrior and musician in Saul's court. 3. Women of Israel The women who sang and danced in celebration of the military victories. Their song highlights the growing popularity and success of David compared to Saul. 4. Israel The nation chosen by God, consisting of twelve tribes. At this time, Israel is transitioning from a theocracy to a monarchy under Saul's leadership. 5. Philistines A significant enemy of Israel during this period. David's victories over the Philistines, including the defeat of Goliath, contribute to his rising fame. Teaching Points The Danger of ComparisonComparing ourselves to others can lead to jealousy and insecurity, as seen in Saul's reaction to David's success. We should focus on our unique calling and gifts from God. God's Sovereignty in Leadership God raises and removes leaders according to His purpose. David's rise to prominence is a reminder of God's sovereign plan, even when it seems contrary to human expectations. Celebrating Others' Successes The women of Israel celebrated David's victories without diminishing Saul's contributions. We should learn to rejoice in others' successes, recognizing that all achievements are ultimately for God's glory. The Power of Words The song of the women had a profound impact on Saul and David's relationship. Our words can build up or tear down, and we should use them wisely to encourage and edify others.(7) Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.--These words, which sing of the early glory of David in battle, are quoted again in 1Samuel 29:5. They were, no doubt, the favourite refrain of an old national or folk-song.Verse 7. - The women answered. I.e. they sang alternately. It was this alternate singing which led to the psalms being composed in parallel sentences, and not in metre; and we from the temple service have inherited our method of chanting antiphonally. As they played. The word is ambiguous, and to an English reader would suggest the idea of the women playing upon the musical instruments. It usually refers to merriment, and so in Zechariah 8:5 it is used of the children playing in the streets, but especially it refers to dancing. Thus in 2 Samuel 2:14 it is used of a war dance ending in a real conflict; and again (2 Samuel 6:5, 21; 1 Chronicles 13:8; 1 Chronicles 15:29) of David dancing to instruments of music, before the ark. Michal probably would not have despised David for playing an instrument of music during a religious ceremony; it was the posturing of the dance which seemed to her beneath the dignity of a king. So these women danced in alternate choruses to the beating of their tambourines and triangles. In Judges 16:25, where, however, it is in a different conjugation, the verb is translated "to make sport." Really Samson was compelled to dance Israel's national war dance before the Philistines. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew And as the women danced,הַֽמְשַׂחֲק֖וֹת (ham·śa·ḥă·qō·wṯ) Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - feminine plural Strong's 7832: To laugh, to play they sang out: וַֽתַּעֲנֶ֛ינָה (wat·ta·‘ă·ne·nāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural Strong's 6030: To answer, respond “Saul שָׁאוּל֙ (šā·’ūl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites has slain הִכָּ֤ה (hik·kāh) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5221: To strike [his] thousands, בַּאֲלָפָ֔יו (ba·’ă·lā·p̄āw) Preposition-b | Number - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 505: A thousand and David וְדָוִ֖ד (wə·ḏā·wiḏ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse his tens of thousands.” בְּרִבְבֹתָֽיו׃ (bə·riḇ·ḇō·ṯāw) Preposition-b | Number - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 7233: Multitude, myriad, ten thousand Links 1 Samuel 18:7 NIV1 Samuel 18:7 NLT 1 Samuel 18:7 ESV 1 Samuel 18:7 NASB 1 Samuel 18:7 KJV 1 Samuel 18:7 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 18:7 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 18:7 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 18:7 French Bible 1 Samuel 18:7 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 18:7 The women sang one to another as (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |