1st Samuel Chapter 18 verse 12 Holy Bible
And Saul was afraid of David, because Jehovah was with him, and was departed from Saul.
read chapter 18 in ASV
And Saul went in fear of David, because the Lord was with David and had gone away from Saul.
read chapter 18 in BBE
And Saul was afraid of David, because Jehovah was with him, and had departed from Saul.
read chapter 18 in DARBY
And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.
read chapter 18 in KJV
And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and had departed from Saul.
read chapter 18 in WBT
Saul was afraid of David, because Yahweh was with him, and was departed from Saul.
read chapter 18 in WEB
And Saul is afraid of the presence of David, for Jehovah hath been with him, and from Saul He hath turned aside;
read chapter 18 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerses 12-16. - Saul was afraid of David. new feeling. To his jealousy succeeded a sense of powerlessness, as knowing that a higher power was with David, while he had lost the Divine protection. This miserable feeling grew upon the unhappy king, till before the battle of Gilboa we find him with all his old heroic spirit gone, a miserable wreck, seeking for comfort at the hands of a woman of the most worthless kind (1 Samuel 28:5, 7, 20). In this despondent state of mind he dismisses David from attendance upon him, but in an honourable manner, giving him the command of a thousand men, at the head of whom he went out and came in before the people, i.e. in a public capacity, as an officer of state. As Saul seems entirely to have neglected the internal administration of the kingdom, this would refer to military expeditions (see on ver. 5); and in these David behaved himself wisely. Rather, "prospered" (see on ver. 5). His great success only increased Saul's fears; but both Israel and Judah loved David, now that in this higher command they had full opportunities for judging of his high qualities. Thus again his removal from his place in Saul's bodyguard only served to make him better known. The separate mention of Israel and Judah is an indication of the Books of Samuel having been written at a post-Solomonic date, though the distinction was a very old one (see on 1 Samuel 11:8). SAUL, UNDER PRETENCE OF A MARRIAGE WITH HIS DAUGHTER, PLOTS DAVID'S DEATH (vers. 17-30).
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(12) And Saul was afraid of David.--Even after the scenes in the royal chamber just related, David remained at Court. He looked on such manifestations of bitter hatred as simple outbursts of a temporary insanity. His loyal nature would not believe in the enduring hate of one so great and noble as Saul; but we read here that even when the king recovered from the paroxysm, he feared David. Saul was conscious that his old vigour and ability were deserting him, and in David he recognised the presence of a power he knew had once been his. Not being able, even in his sane hours, to endure the presence of one whom he too surely felt would sooner or later take his place, the king dismissed him honourably from the Court, and invested him with an important military charge. Perhaps already the dark thought which some time later (see 1Samuel 18:17; 1Samuel 18:25) influenced the king had entered into his unhappy mind.
