1 Samuel 18:25 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 18:25 mean?

1 Samuel 18:25 describes how King Saul tells his servants to say to David that the king does not want a traditional dowry, but instead asks for one hundred Philistine foreskins as a bride price, hoping David will be killed by the Philistines in the attempt. Saul’s real intention is not to reward David, but to put him in danger and have him killed by his enemies.

In this verse, Saul is speaking to his servants, instructing them on what to tell David regarding the marriage to Saul’s daughter. The situation is tense: Saul is jealous of David’s success and popularity, so he sets a dangerous task instead of asking for money or gifts. The verse makes clear that Saul’s request is a trap, using the phrase “Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines,” showing Saul’s hidden motive.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 18:25

• "dowry" (מֹהַר, mohar): This word refers to the bride price or marriage payment, which was a customary gift given by a groom to the bride’s family. Saul’s refusal of a normal dowry highlights how unusual and risky his demand is.
• "foreskins" (עָרְלוֹת, ‘orlot): This refers to a physical token from slain Philistines, meant to prove David’s victory over Israel’s enemies. The request is both gruesome and humiliating for the Philistines, underlining the danger and the intent to provoke.
• "thought" (חָשַׁב, chashav): This word means to plan or plot. The verse uses it to show Saul’s true intent was not to honor David, but to scheme for his death through a dangerous mission.

Why 1 Samuel 18:25 matters

• This verse clarifies that Saul’s offer was not generous or honorable, but a calculated attempt to get rid of David without directly killing him.
• The verse connects to the larger story of Saul’s growing fear and jealousy of David, showing how Saul’s actions become more desperate and underhanded.
• Understanding the cultural practice of a dowry and how Saul twists it helps explain why David’s later actions are seen as both brave and risky.