Bible Strands
1 Samuel 18:9
And from that day forward Saul kept a jealous eye on David.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrator records Saul’s internal shift following the women’s song that contrasted David’s tens of thousands with Saul’s thousands. This observation occurs at the moment Saul voices his fear that David will inevitably receive the kingdom.
The words — The verb עוֹיֵן (‘ōyēn) literally means “looking at” or “watching closely,” while the temporal phrase מֵהַיּוֹם הַהוּא וָהָלְאָה (mēhayyôm hahû’ wāhālē’â) translates to “from that day onward.”
The thread — The pattern of a hostile or watchful gaze tracking a rival appears in Genesis 4:5, where Cain’s countenance falls, and Genesis 31:2, where Jacob notes Laban’s altered demeanor.
Why it lands — The text reports Saul’s sustained observation before detailing his subsequent violent actions, requiring the reader to trace how envy hardens through repeated attention rather than sudden impulse.
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 eyed David from that day and forward.
Cross-references
- Genesis 4:5 but He had no regard for Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell.
- Genesis 31:2 And Jacob saw from the countenance of Laban that his attitude toward him had changed.
- Matthew 20:15 Do I not have the right to do as I please with what is mine? Or are you envious because I am generous?’
- Mark 7:22 greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness.
- Ephesians 4:27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
- James 5:9 Do not complain about one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged. Look, the Judge is standing at the door!