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1 Samuel 18:2

1 Samuel 18:2 in Multiple Translations

And from that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house.

And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father’s house.

And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father’s house.

And that day Saul took David and would not let him go back to his father's house.

From that time on Jonathan had David work for him and would not let him go back home.

And Saul tooke him that day, and woulde not let him returne to his fathers house.

And Saul taketh him on that day, and hath not permitted him to turn back to the house of his father.

Saul took him that day, and wouldn’t let him go home to his father’s house any more.

And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house.

And Saul took him that day, and would not let him return to his father’s house.

From that day, Saul kept David with him, and did not let him return home.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 18:2

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

1 Samuel 18:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַ/יִּקָּחֵ֥/הוּ שָׁא֖וּל בַּ/יּ֣וֹם הַ/ה֑וּא וְ/לֹ֣א נְתָנ֔/וֹ לָ/שׁ֖וּב בֵּ֥ית אָבִֽי/ו
וַ/יִּקָּחֵ֥/הוּ lâqach H3947 to take Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
שָׁא֖וּל Shâʼûwl H7586 Shaul N-proper
בַּ/יּ֣וֹם yôwm H3117 day Prep | N-ms
הַ/ה֑וּא hûwʼ H1931 he/she/it Art | Pron
וְ/לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 not Conj | Part
נְתָנ֔/וֹ nâthan H5414 to give V-Qal-Perf-3ms | Suff
לָ/שׁ֖וּב shûwb H7725 to return Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
בֵּ֥ית bayith H1004 place N-ms
אָבִֽי/ו ʼâb H1 father N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 18:2

וַ/יִּקָּחֵ֥/הוּ lâqach H3947 "to take" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.
שָׁא֖וּל Shâʼûwl H7586 "Shaul" N-proper
Shaul is a personal name meaning desired, given to several individuals in the Bible, including a Benjamite who became the first king of Israel and a Levite living during the time of the Divided Monarchy. He is mentioned in 1 Chronicles and 1 Samuel.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.24; son of: Uzziah (H5818H); father of: Elkanah (H0511I); also called Joel at 1Ch.6.36; Also named: yo.el (יוֹאֵל "Joel" H3100U) § Saul or Shaul = "desired" 1) a Benjamite, son of Kish, and the 1st king of Israel 2) an early king of Edom and a successor of Samlah 3) a son of Simeon 4) a Levite, son of Uzziah
Usage: Occurs in 335 OT verses. KJV: Saul, Shaul. See also: Genesis 36:37; 1 Samuel 16:22; 1 Samuel 24:5.
בַּ/יּ֣וֹם yôwm H3117 "day" Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
הַ/ה֑וּא hûwʼ H1931 "he/she/it" Art | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
וְ/לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 "not" Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
נְתָנ֔/וֹ nâthan H5414 "to give" V-Qal-Perf-3ms | Suff
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
לָ/שׁ֖וּב shûwb H7725 "to return" Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
בֵּ֥ית bayith H1004 "place" N-ms
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
אָבִֽי/ו ʼâb H1 "father" N-ms | Suff
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.

Study Notes — 1 Samuel 18:2

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 1 Samuel 17:15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep in Bethlehem.
2 1 Samuel 16:21–23 When David came to Saul and entered his service, Saul admired him greatly, and David became his armor-bearer. Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.” And whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would pick up his harp and play, and Saul would become well, and the spirit of distress would depart from him.

1 Samuel 18:2 Summary

This verse, 1 Samuel 18:2, tells us that after David met Saul, Saul decided to keep David with him and not let him go back to his father's house. This meant that David would be serving Saul and learning from him, which was part of God's plan to prepare David for his future role as king, as mentioned in 1 Samuel 16:11-13. We can learn from this that God often uses unexpected circumstances and people to bring about His plans, and that we can trust Him to work everything out for our good, as mentioned in Romans 8:28. By trusting God's sovereignty, we can, like David, seek to fulfill our calling and serve the Lord, even in challenging situations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Saul keep David with him after their initial meeting?

Saul kept David with him because he was impressed by David's faith and bravery, as seen in David's defeat of Goliath, and he wanted to utilize David's skills in his army, as mentioned in 1 Samuel 18:2 and 1 Samuel 18:13.

What can we learn from Saul's decision to keep David with him?

We can learn that God often uses unexpected circumstances and people to bring about His plans, just as He used Saul to provide for David's needs and protection, as seen in 1 Samuel 18:2 and Psalm 37:3-4.

How did David's relationship with Saul affect his relationship with his family?

David's relationship with Saul meant that he would not be returning to his father's house, which may have been difficult for David and his family, but it also allowed David to fulfill his calling and serve the Lord, as mentioned in 1 Samuel 18:2 and 1 Samuel 16:11-13.

What does this verse reveal about God's sovereignty in David's life?

This verse reveals that God was working sovereignly in David's life, using Saul's actions to further His own plans and purposes for David, as seen in 1 Samuel 18:2 and Romans 8:28.

Reflection Questions

  1. How has God used unexpected circumstances or people in your life to bring about His plans, and what can you learn from those experiences?
  2. What are some ways you can trust God's sovereignty in your life, even when things don't make sense or seem difficult?
  3. How can you, like David, seek to fulfill your calling and serve the Lord, even in challenging or uncertain situations?
  4. What does this verse teach you about the importance of trusting God's plans and timing, rather than your own, as mentioned in Proverbs 3:5-6?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 18:2

And Saul took him that day,.... Not only into his favour, and into his service, but into his court; even on that very day he slew the Philistine, or however as soon as it could be done: and would let

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 18:2

And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house. Saul would let him go no more home. He was established as a permanent resident at court.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 18:2

By which it appears, that beforetime David had not his constant residence at court, but did return to his father’ s house, and thence again to the court, as occasion required.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 18:2

1 Samuel 18:2 And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father’ s house.Ver. 2. Saul took him that day.] According as Samuel had foretold, and for a step to the kingdom, whereunto he was anointed, and no less assured. See Psalms 63:11.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 18:2

Ch. 1 Samuel 18:1-5. Jonathan’s friendship for David 1–5. This section also is not found in the Septuagint (B).

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 18:2

2. Saul… would let him go no more home — That is, to remain there in his former occupation. He was doubtless permitted to go and visit his father whenever he desired, but not to resume his charge of the sheep as before.

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