1 Samuel 18 שְׁמוּאֵל א פרק י״ח

Masoretic Text, word by word with transliteration and English glosses, the English verse beneath each. Open 1 Samuel 18 in the interlinear reader for roots and notes, or listen to it read aloud in Hebrew.

1. 1

   וַיְהִיvay/HIand it came to passכְּכַלֹּתוֹke/khal/lo/TOwhen he had finishedלְדַבֵּרle/dab/BERspeakingאֶל־שָׁאוּלel-Sha/ULto Saulוְנֶפֶשׁve/NE/feshthat the soul ofיְהוֹנָתָןYe/ho/na/TANJonathanנִקְשְׁרָהnik/she/RAwas knitבְּנֶפֶשׁbe/NE/feshwith the soul ofדָּוִדDa/VIDDavid(ויאהבו)vayhavav[וַיֶּאֱהָבֵהוּ]vay/ye/e/ha/VE/huand loved himיְהוֹנָתָןYe/ho/na/TANJonathanכְּנַפְשׁוֹ׃ke/naf/SHOas his own soul

   And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

2. 2

   וַיִּקָּחֵהוּvay/yik/ka/CHE/huand took himשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulבַּיּוֹםbay/YOMon the dayהַהוּאha/HUthatוְלֹאve/LOand notנְתָנוֹne/ta/NOwould let himלָשׁוּבla/SHUVreturnבֵּיתbetto the house ofאָבִיו׃a/VIVhis father

   And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house.

3. 3

   וַיִּכְרֹתvay/yikh/ROTthen madeיְהוֹנָתָןYe/ho/na/TANJonathanוְדָוִדve/Da/VIDand Davidבְּרִיתbe/RITa covenantבְּאַהֲבָתוֹbe/a/ha/va/TObecause he lovedאֹתוֹo/TOhimכְּנַפְשׁוֹ׃ke/naf/SHOas his own soul

   Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.

4. 4

   וַיִּתְפַּשֵּׁטvay/yit/pash/SHETand stripped offיְהוֹנָתָןYe/ho/na/TANJonathanאֶת־הַמְּעִילet-ham/me/ILthe robeאֲשֶׁרa/SHERthat wasעָלָיוa/LAYVupon himוַיִּתְּנֵהוּvay/yit/te/NE/huand gave itלְדָוִדle/Da/VIDto Davidוּמַדָּיוu/mad/DAYVand his garmentsוְעַד־חַרְבּוֹve/AD-char/BOeven to his swordוְעַד־קַשְׁתּוֹve/AD-kash/TOand to his bowוְעַד־חֲגֹרוֹ׃ve/AD-cha/go/ROand to his belt

   And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.

5. 5

   וַיֵּצֵאvay/ye/TSEand went outדָוִדDa/VIDDavidבְּכֹלbe/KHOLwhereverאֲשֶׁרa/SHERthatיִשְׁלָחֶנּוּyish/la/CHEN/nusent himשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulיַשְׂכִּילyas/KILhe behaved wiselyוַיְשִׂמֵהוּvay/si/ME/huand set himשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulעַלaloverאַנְשֵׁיan/SHEthe men ofהַמִּלְחָמָהham/mil/cha/MAwarוַיִּיטַבvay/yi/TAVand it was goodבְּעֵינֵיbe/e/NEin the eyes ofכׇל־הָעָםkhol-ha/AMall the peopleוְגַםve/GAMand alsoבְּעֵינֵיbe/e/NEin the eyes ofעַבְדֵיav/DEthe servants ofשָׁאוּל׃Sha/ULSaul

   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.

6. 6

   וַיְהִיvay/HIand it came to passבְּבוֹאָםbe/vo/AMwhen they cameבְּשׁוּבbe/SHUVwhen returnedדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidמֵהַכּוֹתme/hak/KOTfrom striking downאֶת־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּיet-Hap/pe/lish/TIthe Philistineוַתֵּצֶאנָהvat/te/TSE/nathat came outהַנָּשִׁיםhan/na/SHIMthe womenמִכׇּל־עָרֵיmik/KOL-a/REfrom all the cities ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYis/ra/ELIsrael(לשור)lashavar[לָשִׁיר]la/SHIRsingingוְהַמְּחֹלוֹתve/ham/me/cho/LOTand dancingלִקְרַאתlik/RATto meetשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingבְּתֻפִּיםbe/tup/PIMwith tambourinesבְּשִׂמְחָהbe/sim/CHAwith joyוּבְשָׁלִשִׁים׃u/ve/sha/li/SHIMand with lutes

   And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick.

7. 7

   וַתַּעֲנֶינָהvat/ta/a/NE/naand answered one anotherהַנָּשִׁיםhan/na/SHIMthe womenהַמְשַׂחֲקוֹתham/sa/cha/KOTas they playedוַתֹּאמַרְןָvat/to/MAR/naand they saidהִכָּהhik/KAhas struckשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulבַּאֲלָפָוba/a/la/FAVhis thousandsוְדָוִדve/Da/VIDand Davidבְּרִבְבֹתָיו׃be/riv/vo/TAYVhis ten thousands

   And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.

8. 8

   וַיִּחַרvay/YI/charand was angryלְשָׁאוּלLe/sha/ULSaulמְאֹדme/ODveryוַיֵּרַעvay/YE/raand was displeasingבְּעֵינָיוbe/e/NAYVin his eyesהַדָּבָרhad/da/VARthe sayingהַזֶּהhaz/ZEthisוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidנָתְנוּna/te/NUthey have givenלְדָוִדle/Da/VIDto Davidרְבָבוֹתre/va/VOTten thousandsוְלִיve/LIand to meנָתְנוּna/te/NUthey have givenהָאֲלָפִיםha/a/la/FIMthe thousandsוְעוֹדve/ODand what moreלוֹlofor himאַךְakhbutהַמְּלוּכָה׃ham/me/lu/KHAthe kingdom

   And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?

9. 9

   וַיְהִיvay/HIand wasשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaul(עון)van[עוֹיֵן]o/YENeyeingאֶת־דָּוִדet-Da/VIDDavidמֵהַיּוֹםme/hay/YOMfrom the dayהַהוּאha/HUthatוָהָלְאָה׃va/HAL/aand onward

   And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.

10. 10

    וַיְהִיvay/HIand it came to passמִמׇּחֳרָתmim/mo/cho/RATon the next dayוַתִּצְלַחvat/tits/LACHthat came mightilyרוּחַRU/acha spirit ofאֱלֹהִיםe/lo/HIMGodרָעָהra/Aevilאֶל־שָׁאוּלel-Sha/ULto Saulוַיִּתְנַבֵּאvay/yit/nab/BEand he ravedבְתוֹךְ־הַבַּיִתve/TOKH-hab/BA/yitin the midst of the houseוְדָוִדve/Da/VIDand Davidמְנַגֵּןme/nag/GENwas playingבְּיָדוֹbe/ya/DOin his handכְּיוֹםke/YOMas dayבְּיוֹםbe/YOMby dayוְהַחֲנִיתve/ha/cha/NITand the spearבְּיַד־שָׁאוּל׃be/YAD-sha/ULin the hand of Saul

    And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand.

11. 11

    וַיָּטֶלvay/YA/teland hurledשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulאֶת־הַחֲנִיתet-ha/cha/NITthe spearוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidאַכֶּהak/KEI will strikeבְדָוִדVe/da/VIDDavidוּבַקִּירu/vak/KIRand to the wallוַיִּסֹּבvay/yis/SOVand eludedדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidמִפָּנָיוmip/pa/NAYVfrom before himפַּעֲמָיִם׃pa/a/MA/yimtwice

    And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.

12. 12

    וַיִּרָאvay/yi/RAand was afraidשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulמִלִּפְנֵיmil/lif/NEofדָוִדDa/VIDDavidכִּי־הָיָהki-ha/YAfor wasיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDעִמּוֹim/MOwith himוּמֵעִםu/me/IMand fromשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulסָר׃sarhad departed

    And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.

13. 13

    וַיְסִרֵהוּvay/si/RE/hutherefore removed himשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulמֵעִמּוֹme/im/MOfrom himוַיְשִׂמֵהוּvay/si/ME/huand made himלוֹlohisשַׂר־אָלֶףsar-A/lefcommander of a thousandוַיֵּצֵאvay/ye/TSEand he went outוַיָּבֹאvay/ya/VOand cameלִפְנֵיlif/NEbeforeהָעָם׃ha/AMthe people

    Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.

14. 14

    וַיְהִיvay/HIand wasדָוִדDa/VIDDavidלְכׇל־דְּרָכָוle/KHOL-de/ra/KHAVin all his waysמַשְׂכִּילmas/KILbehaving wiselyוַיהֹוָהve-Adonaiand the LORDעִמּוֹ׃im/MOwith him

    And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.

15. 15

    וַיַּרְאvay/YARand sawשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulאֲשֶׁר־הוּאa/SHER-huthat he wasמַשְׂכִּילmas/KILbehaving wiselyמְאֹדme/ODgreatlyוַיָּגׇרvay/YA/gorhe stood in aweמִפָּנָיו׃mip/pa/NAYVof him

    Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.

16. 16

    וְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵלve/KHOL-yis/ra/ELand all IsraelוִיהוּדָהVi/hu/DAand Judahאֹהֵבo/HEVlovedאֶת־דָּוִדet-Da/VIDDavidכִּי־הוּאki-hufor heיוֹצֵאyo/TSEwent outוָבָאva/VAand came inלִפְנֵיהֶם׃lif/ne/HEMbefore them

    But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.

17. 17

    וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulאֶל־דָּוִדel-Da/VIDto Davidהִנֵּהhin/NEbeholdבִתִּיvit/TImy daughterהַגְּדוֹלָהhag/ge/do/LAthe elderמֵרַבMe/RAVMerabאֹתָהּo/TAherאֶתֶּן־לְךָet/TEN-le/KHAI will give youלְאִשָּׁהle/ish/SHAfor wifeאַךְakhonlyהֱיֵה־לִיhe/YE-libe for meלְבֶן־חַיִלle/VEN-CHA/yila valiant manוְהִלָּחֵםve/hil/la/CHEMand fightמִלְחֲמוֹתmil/cha/MOTthe wars ofיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDוְשָׁאוּלve/Sha/ULfor Saulאָמַרa/MARthoughtאַל־תְּהִיal-te/HIlet not beיָדִיya/DImy handבּוֹboupon himוּתְהִי־בוֹu/te/HI-vobut let be upon himיַד־פְּלִשְׁתִּים׃yad-Pe/lish/TIMthe hand of the Philistines

    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.

18. 18

    וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidאֶל־שָׁאוּלel-Sha/ULto Saulמִיmiwho amאָנֹכִיa/no/KHIIוּמִיu/MIand what isחַיַּיchay/YAYmy lifeמִשְׁפַּחַתmish/PA/chatthe clan ofאָבִיa/VImy fatherבְּיִשְׂרָאֵלbe/Yis/ra/ELin Israelכִּי־אֶהְיֶהki-eh/YEthat I should beחָתָןcha/TANson-in-lawלַמֶּלֶךְ׃lam/ME/lekhto the king

    And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?

19. 19

    וַיְהִיvay/HIbut it came to passבְּעֵתbe/ETat the timeתֵּתtetwhen was to be givenאֶת־מֵרַבet-Me/RAVMerabבַּת־שָׁאוּלbat-Sha/ULthe daughter of Saulלְדָוִדle/Da/VIDto Davidוְהִיאve/HIand sheנִתְּנָהnit/te/NAwas givenלְעַדְרִיאֵלle/Ad/ri/ELto Adrielהַמְּחֹלָתִיham/Me/cho/la/TIthe Meholathiteלְאִשָּׁה׃le/ish/SHAas wife

    But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul's daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife.

20. 20

    וַתֶּאֱהַבvat/te/e/HAVand lovedמִיכַלMi/KHALMichalבַּת־שָׁאוּלbat-Sha/ULthe daughter of Saulאֶת־דָּוִדet-Da/VIDDavidוַיַּגִּדוּvay/yag/GI/duand they toldלְשָׁאוּלLe/sha/ULSaulוַיִּשַׁרvay/yi/SHARand was rightהַדָּבָרhad/da/VARthe thingבְּעֵינָיו׃be/e/NAYVin his eyes

    And Michal Saul's daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him.

21. 21

    וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulאֶתְּנֶנָּהet/te/NEN/naI will give herלּוֹloto himוּתְהִי־לוֹu/te/HI-lothat she may be to himלְמוֹקֵשׁle/mo/KESHfor a snareוּתְהִי־בוֹu/te/HI-voand may be against himיַד־פְּלִשְׁתִּיםyad-Pe/lish/TIMthe hand of the Philistinesוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulאֶל־דָּוִדel-Da/VIDto Davidבִּשְׁתַּיִםbish/TA/yima second timeתִּתְחַתֵּןtit/chat/TENyou shall become son-in-lawבִּיbito meהַיּוֹם׃hay/YOMtoday

    And 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.

22. 22

    וַיְצַוvay/TSAVand commandedשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulאֶת־עֲבָדָוet-a/va/DAVhis servantsדַּבְּרוּdab/be/RUspeakאֶל־דָּוִדel-Da/VIDto Davidבַּלָּטbal/LATsecretlyלֵאמֹרle/MORsayingהִנֵּהhin/NEbeholdחָפֵץcha/FETShas delightבְּךָbe/KHAin youהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingוְכׇל־עֲבָדָיוve/KHOL-a/va/DAYVand all his servantsאֲהֵבוּךָa/he/VU/khalove youוְעַתָּהve/at/TAand nowהִתְחַתֵּןhit/chat/TENbecome son-in-lawבַּמֶּלֶךְ׃bam/ME/lekhwith the king

    And Saul commanded his servants, saying, Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the king's son in law.

23. 23

    וַיְדַבְּרוּvay/dab/be/RUand spokeעַבְדֵיav/DEthe servants ofשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulבְּאׇזְנֵיbe/oz/NEin the ears ofדָוִדDa/VIDDavidאֶת־הַדְּבָרִיםet-had/de/va/RIMthe wordsהָאֵלֶּהha/EL/letheseוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidהַנְקַלָּהhan/kal/LAis it a light thingבְעֵינֵיכֶםve/e/ne/KHEMin your eyesהִתְחַתֵּןhit/chat/TENto become son-in-lawבַּמֶּלֶךְbam/ME/lekhwith the kingוְאָנֹכִיve/a/no/KHIseeing I amאִישׁ־רָשׁish-rasha poor manוְנִקְלֶה׃ve/nik/LEand lightly esteemed

    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?

24. 24

    וַיַּגִּדוּvay/yag/GI/duand toldעַבְדֵיav/DEthe servants ofשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulלוֹlohimלֵאמֹרle/MORsayingכַּדְּבָרִיםkad/de/va/RIMaccording to the wordsהָאֵלֶּהha/EL/letheseדִּבֶּרdib/BERspokeדָּוִד׃Da/VIDDavid

    And the servants of Saul told him, saying, On this manner spake David.

25. 25

    וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulכֹּה־תֹאמְרוּko-to/me/RUthus shall you sayלְדָוִדle/Da/VIDto Davidאֵין־חֵפֶץen-CHE/fetshas no desireלַמֶּלֶךְlam/ME/lekhthe kingבְּמֹהַרbe/MO/harfor bride priceכִּיkibutבְּמֵאָהbe/me/Afor a hundredעׇרְלוֹתor/LOTforeskins ofפְּלִשְׁתִּיםPe/lish/TIMthe Philistinesלְהִנָּקֵםle/hin/na/KEMto be avengedבְּאֹיְבֵיbe/oy/VEon the enemies ofהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingוְשָׁאוּלve/Sha/ULbut Saulחָשַׁבcha/SHAVthoughtלְהַפִּילle/hap/PILto make fallאֶת־דָּוִדet-Da/VIDDavidבְּיַד־פְּלִשְׁתִּים׃be/YAD-pe/lish/TIMby the hand of the Philistines

    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.

26. 26

    וַיַּגִּדוּvay/yag/GI/duand when toldעֲבָדָיוa/va/DAYVhis servantsלְדָוִדle/Da/VIDto Davidאֶת־הַדְּבָרִיםet-had/de/va/RIMthe wordsהָאֵלֶּהha/EL/letheseוַיִּשַׁרvay/yi/SHARit pleasedהַדָּבָרhad/da/VARthe thingבְּעֵינֵיbe/e/NEin the eyes ofדָוִדDa/VIDDavidלְהִתְחַתֵּןle/hit/chat/TENto become son-in-lawבַּמֶּלֶךְbam/ME/lekhwith the kingוְלֹאve/LOand notמָלְאוּma/le/Uhad expiredהַיָּמִים׃hay/ya/MIMthe days

    And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king's son in law: and the days were not expired.

27. 27

    וַיָּקׇםvay/YA/komand aroseדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidוַיֵּלֶךְvay/YE/lekhand wentהוּאhuheוַאֲנָשָׁיוva/a/na/SHAYVand his menוַיַּךְvay/YAKHand struckבַּפְּלִשְׁתִּיםbap/Pe/lish/TIMamong the Philistinesמָאתַיִםma/TA/yimtwo hundredאִישׁishmenוַיָּבֵאvay/ya/VEand broughtדָוִדDa/VIDDavidאֶת־עׇרְלֹתֵיהֶםet-or/lo/te/HEMtheir foreskinsוַיְמַלְאוּםvay/mal/UMand they gave them in fullלַמֶּלֶךְlam/ME/lekhto the kingלְהִתְחַתֵּןle/hit/chat/TENthat he might become son-in-lawבַּמֶּלֶךְbam/ME/lekhwith the kingוַיִּתֶּן־לוֹvay/YIT/ten-loand gave himשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulאֶת־מִיכַלet-Mi/KHALMichalבִּתּוֹbit/TOhis daughterלְאִשָּׁה׃le/ish/SHAas wife

    Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king's son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife.

28. 28

    וַיַּרְאvay/YARand sawשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulוַיֵּדַעvay/YE/daand knewכִּיkithatיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDעִם־דָּוִדim-Da/VIDwas with Davidוּמִיכַלu/Mi/KHALand Michalבַּת־שָׁאוּלbat-Sha/ULthe daughter of Saulאֲהֵבַתְהוּ׃a/he/VAT/huloved him

    And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him.

29. 29

    וַיֹּאסֶףvay/YO/sefand was yet moreשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulלֵרֹאle/ROafraidמִפְּנֵיmip/pe/NEofדָוִדDa/VIDDavidעוֹדodstillוַיְהִיvay/HIand wasשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulאֹיֵבo/YEVthe enemy ofאֶת־דָּוִדet-Da/VIDof Davidכׇּל־הַיָּמִים׃kol-hay/ya/MIMall his days

    And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually.

30. 30

    וַיֵּצְאוּvay/yets/Uthen went outשָׂרֵיsa/REthe princes ofפְלִשְׁתִּיםFe/lish/TIMthe Philistinesוַיְהִיvay/HIand it came to passמִדֵּיmid/DEas often asצֵאתָםtse/TAMthey went outשָׂכַלsa/KHALbehaved more wiselyדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidמִכֹּלmik/KOLthan allעַבְדֵיav/DEthe servants ofשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulוַיִּיקַרvay/yi/KARand was highly esteemedשְׁמוֹshe/MOhis nameמְאֹד׃me/ODvery

    Then 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.