1 Samuel 18:16
New International Version
But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.

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

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

Berean Standard Bible
But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he was leading them out to battle and back.

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

New King James Version
But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.

New American Standard Bible
But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he would go out to battle and return before them.

NASB 1995
But all Israel and Judah loved David, and he went out and came in before them.

NASB 1977
But all Israel and Judah loved David, and he went out and came in before them.

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

Amplified Bible
But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he publicly associated with them.

Christian Standard Bible
But all Israel and Judah loved David because he was leading their troops.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But all Israel and Judah loved David because he was leading their troops.

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

Contemporary English Version
But everyone else in Judah and Israel was loyal to David, because he led the army in battle.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Everyone in Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in and out [of battle].

Good News Translation
But everyone in Israel and Judah loved David because he was such a successful leader.

International Standard Version
But all Israel and Judah loved David because he led them in battle.

Majority Standard Bible
But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he was leading them out to battle and back.

NET Bible
But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he was the one leading them out to battle and back.

New Heart English Bible
But all Israel and Judah loved David; for he went out and came in before them.

Webster's Bible Translation
But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.

World English Bible
But all Israel and Judah loved David; for he went out and came in before them.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and all Israel and Judah love David when he is going out and coming in before them.

Young's Literal Translation
and all Israel and Judah love David when he is going out and coming in before them.

Smith's Literal Translation
And all Israel and Judah loved David, for he will go out and come in before them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But all Israel and Juda loved David, for he came in and went out before them.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But all of Israel and Judah loved David. For he entered and departed before them.

New American Bible
But all Israel and Judah loved David, since he led them on their expeditions.

New Revised Standard Version
But all Israel and Judah loved David; for it was he who marched out and came in leading them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out to war and came in before them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And all Israel and Yehuda loved David, because he was going out, also he was entering before them
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But all Israel and Judah loved David; for he went out and came in before them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And all Israel and Juda loved David, because he came in and went out before the people.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Saul Envies David
15When Saul saw that David was very successful, he was afraid of him. 16But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he was leading them out to battle and back.

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.

1 Samuel 18:14
and he continued to prosper in all his ways, because the LORD was with him.

1 Samuel 16:18
One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a mighty man of valor, a warrior, eloquent and handsome, and the LORD is with him.”

1 Samuel 17:15
but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep in Bethlehem.

1 Samuel 17:55-58
As Saul had watched David going out to confront the Philistine, he said to Abner the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” “As surely as you live, O king,” Abner replied, “I do not know.” / “Find out whose son this young man is!” said the king. / So when David returned from killing the Philistine, still holding his head in his hand, Abner took him and brought him before Saul. ...

1 Samuel 19:4-5
Then Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul and said to him, “The king should not sin against his servant David; he has not sinned against you. In fact, his actions have been highly beneficial to you. / He took his life in his hands when he struck down the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced, so why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?”

1 Samuel 24:16-17
When David had finished saying these things, Saul called back, “Is that your voice, David my son?” Then Saul wept aloud / and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil.

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.’”

2 Samuel 7:9
I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make for you a name like that of the greatest in the land.

1 Kings 3:28
When all Israel heard of the judgment the king had given, they stood in awe of him, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.

1 Chronicles 11:2
Even in times past, while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And the LORD your God said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’”

Psalm 78:70-72
He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds; / from tending the ewes He brought him to be shepherd of His people Jacob, of Israel His inheritance. / So David shepherded them with integrity of heart and guided them with skillful hands.

Psalm 89:20-21
I have found My servant David; with My sacred oil I have anointed him. / My hand will sustain him; surely My arm will strengthen him.

Matthew 21:9
The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”

Matthew 21:46
Although they wanted to arrest Him, they were afraid of the crowds, because the people regarded Him as a prophet.


Treasury of Scripture

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

all Israel

1 Samuel 18:5
And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.

Luke 19:48
And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.

Luke 20:19
And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

he went

Numbers 27:17
Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.

2 Samuel 5:2
Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.

1 Kings 3:7
And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.

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1 Samuel 18
1. Jonathan befriends David
5. Saul envies his praise
10. seeks to kill him in his fury
12. fears him for his good success
17. offers him his daughters for snare
23. David persuaded to be the king's son-in-law,
25. gives two hundred foreskins of the Philistines for Michal's dowry
28. Saul's hatred and David's glory increase














But all Israel and Judah
This phrase highlights the unity and collective sentiment of the two major divisions of the Israelite nation. Historically, Israel and Judah were often at odds, but here they are united in their admiration for David. The Hebrew root for "Israel" (יִשְׂרָאֵל, Yisra'el) means "God prevails," while "Judah" (יְהוּדָה, Yehudah) means "praise." This unity under David's leadership foreshadows the eventual unification of the kingdom under his rule, emphasizing the divine favor and destiny that God has for David.

loved David
The Hebrew word for "loved" (אָהַב, ahav) conveys deep affection and loyalty. This love is not merely emotional but is rooted in respect and admiration for David's character and leadership. David's ability to inspire such love from the people is indicative of his God-given charisma and the anointing he received from Samuel. This love also prefigures the love that Christ, the Son of David, would inspire in His followers.

because he was leading them out to battle
The phrase "leading them out" is significant in the context of ancient warfare. The Hebrew verb (יָצָא, yatsa) means "to go out" or "to come forth," indicating David's role as a proactive and courageous leader. Unlike Saul, who often hesitated, David's leadership is characterized by initiative and bravery. This reflects the biblical ideal of a shepherd-king who goes before his people, guiding and protecting them, much like Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

and bringing them back
The Hebrew verb (בּוֹא, bo) means "to come" or "to bring," emphasizing David's responsibility not only to lead but to ensure the safe return of his people. This phrase underscores David's effectiveness and success as a military leader. It also symbolizes spiritual leadership, where a true leader not only guides but also ensures the well-being and safety of those under his care. This mirrors the protective and redemptive nature of Christ's mission.

(16) But all Israel and Judah.--This distinct mention of the two great later divisions of the chosen people seems to point to the fact that the compiler of the Books of Samuel lived after the final separation of the ten tribes from Judah and Benjamin, in the reign of Rehoboam. It is, however, clear from other notices (see, for instance, 1Samuel 11:8; 1Samuel 15:4, in this book) that at a period long anterior to the final disruption between the north and south a marked distinction between the two had begun to exist.

In David's case, however, although he was of Judah, the future king was equally popular with the northern tribes.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But all
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

and Judah
וִיהוּדָ֔ה (wî·hū·ḏāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

loved
אֹהֵ֖ב (’ō·hêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 157: To have affection f

David,
דָּוִ֑ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

because
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he
ה֛וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

was leading them out to battle
יוֹצֵ֥א (yō·w·ṣê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

and back.
וָבָ֖א (wā·ḇā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go


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OT History: 1 Samuel 18:16 But all Israel and Judah loved David (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 18:15
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