Bible Strands
1 Samuel 18:15
When Saul saw that David was very successful, he was afraid of him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records Saul’s reaction to David immediately after the text notes David’s consistent prosperity and the Lord’s presence with him. This observation occurs after David’s military campaigns and just before the people of Israel and Judah openly love him for his leadership.
The words — מַשְׂכִּיל (maśkîl) literally means “successful” or “understanding,” and וַיָּגֶר (wa.yāgār) means “he was afraid.” The text states that Saul’s fear arose directly from his sight of David’s exceptional success.
The thread — The pattern of godly success provoking hostile scrutiny runs through Daniel 6:4, where administrators seek charges against Daniel but cannot find any, and through Colossians 4:5, which instructs believers to act wisely toward outsiders. The immediate context in 1 Samuel 18:14 and 18:16 frames this fear as a response to divine favor manifesting in human achievement.
Why it lands — The text asks readers to recognize that divine blessing often triggers human resistance rather than admiration. Readers must examine how they respond to the success of others and whether they act from fear or from wise, just engagement.
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
Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.
Cross-references
- Psalms 112:5 It is well with the man who is generous and lends freely, whose affairs are guided by justice.
- Daniel 6:4 Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.
- Colossians 4:5 Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
- James 1:5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
- James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.