Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, April 12th, 2026
Second Sunday after Easter
Attention!
For 10¢ a day you can enjoy StudyLight.org ads
free while helping to build churches and support pastors in Uganda.
Click here to learn more!

Read the Bible

King James Version (1611 Edition)

1 Samuel 18:30

Then the Princes of the Philistines went foorth: and it came to passe after they went foorth, that Dauid behaued himselfe more wisely then all the seruants of Saul, so that his name was much set by.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Jealousy;   Philistines;   Prudence;   Thompson Chain Reference - Good;   Name;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Philistia, philistines;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Prayer;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - David;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Lords of the Philistines;   Prince;   Set;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Philis'tines;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Lords of the Philistines;   Samuel, Books of;   Set;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Every time the Philistine commanders came out to fight, David was more successful than all of Saul’s officers. So his name became well known.
Hebrew Names Version
Then the princes of the Pelishtim went forth: and it happened, as often as they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Sha'ul; so that his name was much set by.
King James Version
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.
Lexham English Bible
Then the commanders of the Philistines went out for battle, and as often as they went out, David succeeded more than all the servants of Saul, and his name became very esteemed.
English Standard Version
Then the commanders of the Philistines came out to battle, and as often as they came out David had more success than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly esteemed.
New Century Version
The Philistine commanders continued to go out to fight the Israelites, but every time, David was more skillful than Saul's officers. So he became famous.
New English Translation
Then the leaders of the Philistines would march out, and as often as they did so, David achieved more success than all of Saul's servants. His name was held in high esteem.
Amplified Bible
Then the Philistine commanders (princes) came out to battle, and it happened as often as they did, that David acted more wisely and had more success than all Saul's servants. So his name was highly esteemed.
New American Standard Bible
Then the commanders of the Philistines went to battle, and it happened as often as they went out, that David was more successful than all the servants of Saul. So his name was held in high esteem.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And when the Princes of the Philistims went forth, at their going forth Dauid behaued himselfe more wisely then all the seruants of Saul, so that his name was much set by.
Legacy Standard Bible
Then the commanders of the Philistines went out to battle, and it happened as often as they went out, that David behaved himself more insightfully than all the servants of Saul. So his name was highly esteemed.
Contemporary English Version
The Philistine rulers kept coming to fight Israel, but whenever David fought them, he won. He was famous because he won more battles against the Philistines than any of Saul's other officers.
Complete Jewish Bible
The leaders of the P'lishtim would attack; but whenever they attacked, David was more successful than any of Sha'ul's servants; so that David acquired a great reputation.
Darby Translation
And the princes of the Philistines went forth; and it came to pass, whenever they went forth, that David succeeded better than all the servants of Saul; and his name was much esteemed.
Easy-to-Read Version
The Philistine commanders continued to go out to fight the Israelites, but David defeated them every time. He became famous as Saul's best officer.
George Lamsa Translation
Then the princes of the Philistines went forth raiding; and it came to pass at the time they went forth raiding, David was more successful than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was highly honored.
Good News Translation
The Philistine armies would come and fight, but in every battle David was more successful than any of Saul's other officers. As a result David became very famous.
Literal Translation
And the rulers of the Philistines came out. And it happened from the time they came out, David acted more wisely than all the servants of Saul. And His name was greatly esteemed.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And whan the prynces of the Philistynes wete forth, Dauid behaued him selfe more wysely then all the seruauntes of Saul in their outgoynge: so that his name was in greate reputacion.
American Standard Version
Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, as often as they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.
Bible in Basic English
Then the rulers of the Philistines went out to war: and whenever they went out, David did more wisely than all the other servants of Saul, so that his name became greatly honoured.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
The Lordes of the Philistines vsed to go foorth, and whe they went foorth Dauid behaued him selfe more wysely then all the seruauntes of Saul, so that his name was much set by.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Then the princes of the Philistines went forth; and it came to pass, as often as they went forth, that David prospered more than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.
English Revised Version
Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, as often as they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.
Berean Standard Bible
Every time the Philistine commanders came out for battle, David was more successful than all of Saul's officers, so that his name was highly esteemed.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And the princes of Filisteis yeden out; forsothe fro the bigynnyng of her goyng out Dauyd bar hym silf more warli than alle the men of Saul; and the name of Dauid was maad ful solempne.
Young's Literal Translation
And the princes of the Philistines come out, and it cometh to pass from the time of their coming out, David hath acted more wisely than any of the servants of Saul, and his name is very precious.
Update Bible Version
Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, as often as they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the slaves of Saul; so that his name was much set by.
Webster's Bible Translation
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 esteemed.
World English Bible
Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it happened, as often as they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.
New King James Version
Then the princes of the Philistines went out to war. And so it was, whenever they went out, that David behaved more wisely than all the servants of Saul, so that his name became highly esteemed.
New Living Translation
Every time the commanders of the Philistines attacked, David was more successful against them than all the rest of Saul's officers. So David's name became very famous.
New Life Bible
Then the Philistine leaders went out to battle. And when they did, David acted with more wisdom than all the servants of Saul. So his name became very important.
New Revised Standard
Then the commanders of the Philistines came out to battle; and as often as they came out, David had more success than all the servants of Saul, so that his fame became very great.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And, when the princes of the Philistines came forth, so it was, that, as often as they came forth, David was more circumspect than any of the servants of Saul, so that his name was, precious exceedingly.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the princes of the Philistines went forth: and from the beginning of their going forth, David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul, and his name became very famous.
Revised Standard Version
Then the princes of the Philistines came out to battle, and as often as they came out David had more success than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was highly esteemed.
THE MESSAGE
Whenever the Philistine warlords came out to battle, David was there to meet them—and beat them, upstaging Saul's men. David's name was on everyone's lips.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Then the commanders of the Philistines went out to battle, and it happened as often as they went out, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul. So his name was highly esteemed.

Contextual Overview

12 And Saul was afraid of Dauid, because the Lord was with him, and was departed from Saul. 13 Therefore Saul remooued him from him, and made him his captaine ouer a thousand, and hee went out and came in before the people. 14 And Dauid behaued himselfe wisely in all his wayes; & the Lord was with him. 15 Wherefore when Saul saw that hee behaued himselfe very wisely, hee was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Iudah loued Dauid, because hee went out and came in before them. 17 And Saul said to Dauid, Behold, my elder daughter Merab, her will I giue thee to wife: onely be thou valiant for me, and fight the Lords battels: for Saul said, Let not mine hand be vpon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be vpon him. 18 And Dauid said vnto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my fathers family in Israel, that I should be sonne in law to the king? 19 But it came to passe at the time when Merab Sauls daughter should haue beene giuen to Dauid, that shee was giuen vnto Adriel the Meholathite to wife. 20 And Michal Sauls daughter loued Dauid: and they tolde Saul, and the thing pleased him. 21 And Saul said, I will giue 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 Dauid, Thou shalt this day be my sonne in law, in the one of the twaine.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the princes: Of this war we know no more than that David, whose military skill was greater, was more successful in it, than all the other officers of Saul.

went forth: 2 Samuel 11:1

behaved himself: 1 Samuel 18:5, Psalms 119:99, Daniel 1:20, Luke 21:15, Ephesians 5:15

set by: Heb. precious, 1 Samuel 2:30, 1 Samuel 26:21, 2 Kings 1:13, Psalms 116:15, 1 Peter 2:4, 1 Peter 2:7

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 2:3 - prosper Psalms 119:98 - through Proverbs 12:8 - commended Proverbs 27:21 - so Ecclesiastes 4:4 - every Hebrews 11:32 - David

Cross-References

Genesis 18:8
And he tooke butter, and milke, and the calfe which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them vnder the tree: and they did eate.
Genesis 18:9
And they said vnto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.
Genesis 18:11
Now Abraham and Sarah were old, and well stricken in age: and it ceased to be with Sarah after the maner of women.
Genesis 18:16
And the men rose vp from thence, and looked toward Sodome: and Abraham went with them, to bring them on the way.
Genesis 18:28
Peraduenture there shall lacke fiue of the fiftie righteous: wilt thou destroy all the citie for lacke of fiue? And he said, If I find there fourtie and fiue, I will not destroy it.
Genesis 18:29
And hee spake vnto him yet againe, and said, Peraduenture there shall be fourtie found there: and he said, I will not doe it for fourties sake.
Genesis 44:18
Then Iudah came neere vnto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy seruant, I pray thee, speake a word in my lords eares, & let not thine anger burne against thy seruant: for thou art euen as Pharaoh.
Judges 6:39
And Gideon said vnto God, Let not thine anger be hote against me, and I will speake but this once: Let mee prooue, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece. Let it now be drie onely vpon the fleece, and vpon all the ground let there be deaw.
Job 40:4
Behold, I am vile, what shall I answere thee? I wil lay my hand vpon my mouth.
Psalms 9:12
When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembreth them: he forgetteth not the crie of the humble.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Then the princes of the Philistines went forth,.... Out of their cities in troops, to revenge and spoil the land of Israel, being enraged at their defeat when Goliath their champion was slain, and at the injury and dishonour done them by David very lately in slaying two hundred of them, and taking off their foreskins; and, as the Jews say b, having heard of the marriage of David, and understanding the Israelites had a law, that a newly married man might not go to the war the first year, took this opportunity of invading and spoiling them; whereas David understood that law better than they, and knew it referred not to a voluntary war, but to that which was the command of God against the seven nations; and even in that case, as some think, it did not oblige such persons to remain at home, but left it to their choice to do as they pleased:

and it came to pass after they went forth; and were met and opposed by the Israelites, by the troops of Saul, under different commanders:

[that] David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; showed himself to be more expert in the art of war, and formed designs with great wisdom and prudence, and which he as wisely executed, as well as with great courage and valour, to the annoyance and defeat of the enemy, and to the advantage, defence, and safety of the people of Israel; or he was more "prosperous" than they, as the Targum, and so others interpret it; he was more successful in his attacks on the Philistines, and in his skirmishes with them:

so that his name was much set by; he was in high esteem with the people; his name was "precious" c to them, as the word signifies; they made mention of it, as, Ben Gersom interprets it, with great honour and glory; so that Saul failed much, and was greatly disappointed in the scheme he had formed against him,

b Midrash Schemuel apud Abarbinel. in loc. c וייקר "et in pretio esset [vel] erat", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Samuel 18:30. Then the princes of the Philistines went forth — Probably to avenge themselves on David and the Israelites: but of this war we know no more than that David was more skilful and successful in it than any of the other officers of Saul. His military skill was greater, and his success was proportionate to his skill and courage; hence it is said, he behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul.


 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile