But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he was leading them out to battle and back.
Parallel translations
- WEB But all Israel and Judah loved David; for he went out and came in before them.
- KJV But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.
- NKJV But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.
- NASB But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he would go out to battle and return before them.
- NLT But all Israel and Judah loved David because he was so successful at leading his troops into battle.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
All Israel and Judah love David because of his leadership among them. The people's affection stands in sharp contrast to Saul's fear.
Overview
While Saul dreads David, the whole nation loves him for his faithful leadership going out and coming in before them. The people's devotion confirms David's fitness to lead and God's favor upon him. This widespread love both validates David's calling and intensifies Saul's jealousy, sharpening the conflict at the heart of the story.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- 1 Sam 18:5So David marched out and prospered in everything Saul sent him to do, and Saul set him over the men of war. And this was pleasing in the sight of all the people, and of Saul’s officers as well.
- 1 Kgs 3:7And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in.
- Num 27:17who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”
- Luke 19:48Yet they could not find a way to do so, because all the people hung on His words.
- 2 Sam 5:2Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’”
- Luke 20:19When the scribes and chief priests realized that Jesus had spoken this parable against them, they sought to arrest Him that very hour. But they were afraid of the people.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The rise of the anointed king after Israel's failed first choice points to the true Anointed One (Messiah means 'anointed'), the shepherd-king after God's own heart from Bethlehem.
How 1 Samuel 18:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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