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.

Where else these words appear

“snare” Hebrew H4170 · used in 27 verses

  • Exodus 10:7 And Pharaoh's servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?
  • Job 34:30 That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.
  • Proverbs 13:14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

“law” Hebrew H2859 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 34:9 And make ye marriages with us, and give your daughters unto us, and take our daughters unto you.
  • Exodus 18:14 And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?
  • Judges 4:11 Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.