Bible Strands
1 Samuel 16:21
When David came to Saul and entered his service, Saul loved him very much, and David became his armor-bearer.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David arrives at Saul’s court after Jesse sends him with provisions, entering the king’s personal service following his anointing and musical ministry. Saul receives him directly as a new attendant in his household.
The words — The Hebrew וַיַּעֲמֹד (va.ya.'a.mod) literally means "and he stood," describing David's formal position before the king, while מְאֹד (me'od) intensifies Saul's affection as "exceedingly."
The thread — This narrative of a skilled servant entering royal service parallels Joseph entering Pharaoh’s court (Genesis 41:46) and anticipates the proverb that a skilled worker will stand before kings (Proverbs 22:29).
Why it lands — The text records Saul’s immediate favor and David’s appointment as armor-bearer, requiring the reader to observe how divine preparation precedes human service without assuming the king’s approval guarantees divine favor.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.
Cross-references
- Genesis 41:46 Now Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph left Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout the land of Egypt.
- Proverbs 22:29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will be stationed in the presence of kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
- Psalms 146:3 Put not your trust in princes, in mortal man, who cannot save.
- Deuteronomy 10:8 At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day.
- Psalms 118:9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.
- Deuteronomy 1:38 Joshua son of Nun, who stands before you, will enter it. Encourage him, for he will enable Israel to inherit the land.
- 1 Kings 10:8 How blessed are your men! How blessed are these servants of yours who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom!
- Psalms 62:9 Lowborn men are but a vapor; the exalted are but a lie. Weighed on the scale, they go up; together they are but a vapor.