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 18:21KJV
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1 Samuel 18:21 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 18:21 mean?

1 Samuel 18:21 shows King Saul plotting to use his daughter as a way to harm David, hoping that marrying her will put David in danger from the Philistines. Saul tells David he can become his son-in-law, but Saul’s real motive is to set a trap for David.

In this verse, Saul is speaking about his daughter and his plan to use her marriage to David as a “snare.” Saul’s words reveal that he is not acting out of kindness, but rather hoping that David will be killed by the Philistines as a result of this union. The verse highlights Saul’s growing jealousy and his willingness to use his own family for his schemes.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 18:21

  • "snare" (מוֹקֵשׁ, moqesh): This word means a trap or something set to ensnare. Saul’s use of this term shows he is deliberately trying to put David in harm’s way, not just offering a marriage.
  • "hand" (יָד, yad): Often used to mean power or control. Here, Saul hopes the “hand of the Philistines” will be against David, meaning he wants the Philistines to overpower or kill him.
  • "law" (חָתָן, chatan): This word refers to a son-in-law. Saul is offering David this family relationship, but only as part of his scheme.

Why 1 Samuel 18:21 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that Saul’s offer was generous or well-intentioned; it was a calculated move to harm David.
  • The verse highlights the depth of Saul’s jealousy and how it leads him to use even his own daughter for his plans.
  • Understanding Saul’s motives here helps explain the tension and conflict that continues between Saul and David throughout the rest of 1 Samuel.