1 Samuel 18:17

Arabic 2018 (الترجمة الكاثوليكيّة (اليسوعيّة))

فقالَ شاوُلُ لِداوُد: «هٰذه ٱبنَتي الكُبْرى ميراب، أُعطيكَ إِيَّاها زَوجَةً، ولٰكِن كُنْ لي ذا بأس، وحارِبْ حُروبَ الرَّبّ»، لأَنَّ شاوُلَ كانَ يَقولُ: «لا تَكُنْ يَدي علَيه، وإِنَّما تَكونُ علَيه يَدُ الفَلِسطينِيِّين».

What Does This Mean?

In this verse, King Saul tells David he will give his elder daughter Merab to him as a wife if David proves himself by fighting Saul's battles. Saul plans to let the Philistines kill David instead of harming him himself.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a friend who is really good at playing video games. Your dad says, 'If you win the hardest level, you can have my favorite toy.' But your dad secretly hopes the game is too hard and you won't win. That's kind of like what King Saul is doing with David here.

Historical Background

1 Samuel was written by the prophet Samuel, along with others, around the 10th century BC. This text was written to the Israelites, who were learning to live under a monarchy and dealing with conflicts with the Philistines.

Living It Out Today

In modern times, this verse can remind us of situations where we might be tempted to use others to achieve our goals, even if it means putting them in harm's way. It's a warning against using others for personal gain without caring about their well-being.

Topics

• betrayal
• loyalty
• deception
• family
• strategic marriage
• warfare

Related Verses

• Genesis 25:28
• 1 Samuel 25:39
• 1 Kings 2:7
• Matthew 22:14
• 1 Corinthians 9:24

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Saul offer Merab to David?

Saul offers Merab to David as a test of his valor and loyalty, but his real intention is to use the battle to eliminate David.

What does this verse say about Saul's character?

This verse shows that Saul is cunning and manipulative, using his daughter's marriage as a trap to get rid of a perceived threat.

How does this verse relate to the theme of loyalty in the Bible?

This verse highlights the tension between loyalty to a king and personal survival, illustrating the complex nature of loyalty in challenging situations.

What does this verse teach about the consequences of deceit?

This verse warns that deceit can lead to unforeseen consequences and often harms the deceiver as well as the deceived.