Bible Strands
1 Samuel 18:29
he grew even more afraid of David. So from then on Saul was David’s enemy.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records Saul’s reaction after recognizing the Lord’s favor on David and David’s marriage to Michal. This moment marks the transition from internal dread to declared hostility.
The words — The Hebrew וַיֹּאסֶף (va.yo.sef) means “he increased” or “he added,” coupled with לֵרֹא (le.ro) for “to be afraid.” This verbal form signals a progressive deepening of terror rather than a sudden onset.
The thread — The text explicitly links this fear to the earlier declaration in 1 Samuel 18:12 that Saul would dread David because the Lord had departed from him. The pattern of success provoking rivalry aligns with the envy dynamics noted in Genesis 4:4 and Ecclesiastes 4:4.
Why it lands — The passage requires a reader to observe how acknowledged fear solidifies into permanent opposition. It demands recognition that spiritual displacement and human envy combine to produce irreversible enmity.
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 Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David’s enemy continually.
Cross-references
- Ecclesiastes 4:4 I saw that all labor and success spring from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
- Genesis 4:4 while Abel brought the best portions of the firstborn of his flock. And the LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,
- 1 Samuel 18:12 So Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul.
- 1 Samuel 18:15 When Saul saw that David was very successful, he was afraid of him.
- Psalms 37:12 The wicked scheme against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them,
- John 11:53 So from that day on they plotted to kill Him.
- James 2:19 You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
- 1 John 3:12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous.