1 Samuel 18:18 kjv — And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be son in law t…

King James Version

"And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?"

— 1 Samuel 18:18, King James Version

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1 Samuel 18:18 in Other Translations

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1 Samuel 18 — Context

15

Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.

16

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

17

And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the Lord’s battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.

18

And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?

19

But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul’s daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife.

20

And Michal Saul’s daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him.

21

And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.

1 Samuel 18:18 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Samuel 18:18 say?
1 Samuel 18:18 in the King James Version reads: “And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?”
Where is 1 Samuel 18:18 in the Bible?
1 Samuel 18:18 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 1 Samuel, chapter 18, verse 18.
Who wrote 1 Samuel?
1 Samuel is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Samuel, Nathan, and Gad). It was written c. 930–722 BC.
What is the book of 1 Samuel about?
1 Samuel marks Israel's transition from judges to kings. It traces the births and ministries of the prophet Samuel, the rise and tragic fall of Saul as Israel's first king, and the anointing of the shepherd boy David, whose faith makes him a man after God's own heart.
What are the major themes of 1 Samuel?
1 Samuel explores themes including Kingship, Prophet, Faith vs. Fear, God's Sovereign Choice, Anointing. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 Samuel 18:18.
What translation should I read 1 Samuel 18:18 in?
1 Samuel 18:18 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 Samuel 18:18?
1 Samuel 18:18 reads (KJV): “And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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