1 Samuel 18:16

16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.

1 Samuel 18:16 in Other Translations

16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.

16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them.

16 But all Israel and Judah loved David because he was so successful at leading his troops into battle.

16 But everyone else in Israel and Judah loved David. They loved watching him in action.

16 But all Israel and Judah loved David; for he went out and came in before them.

16 Everyone in Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in and out [of battle].

16 But all Israel and Judah loved David because he was leading their troops.

16 But all of the troops of Israel and Judah loved David. That's because he led them in battle.

1 Samuel 18:16 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 18:16

And all Israel and Judah loved David
The verb is singular, and denotes that everyone of them loved him in all the tribes of Israel, as well as in Judah his own tribe; in such general esteem was he, and so much had he got the hearts and affections of the people:

because he went out and came in before them;
the people, as in ( 1 Samuel 18:13 ) ; so the Septuagint version, in which, according to the Vatican copy, the verses ( 1 Samuel 18:17-19 ) are wanting.

1 Samuel 18:16 In-Context

14 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him.

15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him.

16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.

17 Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the LORD.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!”

18 But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law?”

Cross References

• 1. 2 Samuel 5:2; ver 5