Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king's son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife.

1 SAMUEL 18:27KJV
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1 Samuel 18:27 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 18:27 mean?

1 Samuel 18:27 says that David, along with his men, killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins as proof to King Saul, fulfilling Saul’s requirement so David could marry Saul’s daughter Michal. Saul then gave his daughter Michal to David as his wife.

This verse describes a dramatic moment in David’s rise in Saul’s court. Saul had set a dangerous task for David, hoping he would be killed by the Philistines, but David succeeded beyond what was asked. The verse shows both David’s bravery and Saul’s attempt to manipulate events, as well as the official beginning of David’s marriage to Michal.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 18:27

  • "Foreskins" (עָרְלוֹת, orlot): This word refers to the physical evidence David brought to Saul. In the culture of the time, this was a way to prove the defeat of uncircumcised enemies, highlighting the difference between Israel and the Philistines.
  • "Tale" (מִסְפָּר, mispar): The phrase "in full tale" means David brought the exact number Saul had demanded, or even more. This emphasizes David’s thoroughness and commitment to meeting Saul’s challenge.
  • "Gave" (נָתַן, natan): This word is used for Saul giving Michal to David as a wife, marking the formal transfer and the fulfillment of Saul’s promise.

Why 1 Samuel 18:27 matters

  • This verse clarifies that David went above and beyond Saul’s demand, killing two hundred Philistines instead of the one hundred Saul had required, which shows David’s determination and ability.
  • The verse highlights Saul’s intentions; Saul hoped David would die in the attempt, but David’s success only increased his reputation and Saul’s unease.
  • The marriage to Michal is significant in the larger story, as it ties David to Saul’s family and sets up future tensions and events in David’s life.

Where else these words appear

“foreskins” Hebrew H6190 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 17:11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.
  • Genesis 34:14 And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us:
  • Joshua 5:3 And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.

“Michal” Hebrew H4324 · used in 17 verses

  • 1 Samuel 14:49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchishua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal:
  • 1 Samuel 19:13 And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth.
  • 2 Samuel 6:16 And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

“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.