Bible Strands
1 Samuel 18:16
But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he was leading them out to battle and back.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The verse records the public reaction to David’s military campaigns during Saul’s reign, immediately following Saul’s observation of David’s success and his growing fear.
The words — אֹהֵב ('o.Hev) = [were] loving describes the active affection of the populace, while כִּי (ki) = for establishes the causal link to David’s consistent direction of their military movements.
The thread — The pattern of a leader guiding the congregation out and back appears in Numbers 27:17 and 2 Samuel 5:2, where David is explicitly named as the one who leads Israel out and brings them in.
Why it lands — The text states that all Israel and Judah loved David because he directed them out to battle and back, which contrasts his proven leadership with Saul’s subsequent political maneuvering and demands an honest assessment of David’s capability before any succession or marital arrangements.
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
But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 18:5 So 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.
- Numbers 27:17 who 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.”
- 2 Samuel 5:2 Even 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.’”
- 1 Kings 3:7 And 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.
- Luke 19:48 Yet they could not find a way to do so, because all the people hung on His words.
- Luke 20:19 When 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.