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New American Standard Bible

1 Samuel 18:6

Now it happened as they were coming, when David returned from killing the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy and with other musical instruments.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Armies;   Art;   Dancing;   Harp;   Joy;   Music;   Prudence;   Victories;   Women;   Thompson Chain Reference - Instruments, Chosen;   Music;   Musical Instruments;   Tabrets;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Armies of Israel, the;   Arts of the;   Music;   Woman;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Dancing;   Music;   War;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Dancing;   David;   Philistia, philistines;   Saul, king of israel;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Prayer;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Dance;   David;   Music, Instrumental;   Tabret;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Marriage;   Miriam;   Music;   Neginah;   Women;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Art and Aesthetics;   Dancing;   Hymn;   Music, Instruments, Dancing;   Samuel, Books of;   Tabret;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Judges (1);   Music and Musical Instruments;   Samuel, Books of;   Saul;   Tabret;   War;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Dance;   David;   Music;   Musical;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Music;   Musical Instruments of the Hebrews;   Timbrel, Tabret;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Triumphs;   War;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Company;   David;   Games;   Gesture;   Instruments of Music;   Joy;   Merab;   Music;   Samuel, Books of;   War;   Woman;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Dancing;   Music and Musical Instruments;   Timbrel;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
As the troops were coming back, when David was returning from killing the Philistine, the women came out from all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul, singing and dancing with tambourines, with shouts of joy, and with three-stringed instruments.
Hebrew Names Version
It happened as they came, when David returned from the slaughter of the Pelishti, that the women came out of all the cities of Yisra'el, singing and dancing, to meet king Sha'ul, with timbrels, with joy, and with instruments of music.
King James Version
And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick.
Lexham English Bible
When they were coming back after David had returned from striking down the Philistine, the women went out from all the cities of Israel singing and dancing to meet King Saul with tambourines, with joy, and with three-stringed instruments.
English Standard Version
As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments.
New Century Version
After David had killed the Philistine, he and the men returned home. Women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul. They sang songs of joy, danced, and played tambourines and stringed instruments.
New English Translation
When the men arrived after David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women from all the cities of Israel came out singing and dancing to meet King Saul. They were happy as they played their tambourines and three-stringed instruments.
Amplified Bible
As they were coming [home], when David returned from killing the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul with tambourines, [songs of] joy, and musical instruments.
Geneva Bible (1587)
When they came againe, & Dauid returned from the slaughter of the Philistim, the women came out of all cities of Israel singing and dauncing to meete king Saul, with timbrels, with instruments of ioy, and with rebeckes.
Legacy Standard Bible
And it happened as they were coming, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with gladness, and with musical instruments.
Contemporary English Version
David had killed Goliath, the battle was over, and the Israelite army set out for home. As the army went along, women came out of each Israelite town to welcome King Saul. They were singing happy songs and dancing to the music of tambourines and harps.
Complete Jewish Bible
As David and the others were returning from the slaughter of the P'lishti, the women came out of all the cities of Isra'el to meet King Sha'ul, singing and dancing joyfully with tambourines and three-stringed instruments.
Darby Translation
And it came to pass as they came, when David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tambours, with joy, and with triangles.
Easy-to-Read Version
David would go out to fight against the Philistines. On the way home, after the battles, women in every town in Israel would come out to meet him. They sang and danced for joy as they played their tambourines and lyres. They did this right in front of Saul!
George Lamsa Translation
And it came to pass as they returned, when David came back from the slaughter of the Philistines, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul with tambourines, and with cymbals, and were rejoicing.
Good News Translation
As David was returning after killing Goliath and as the soldiers were coming back home, women from every town in Israel came out to meet King Saul. They were singing joyful songs, dancing, and playing tambourines and lyres.
Literal Translation
And it happened as they came in, as David returned from striking the Philistine, the women came out from all the cities of Israel to sing with the dancers, to meet Saul the king with tambourines and with joy and three-stringed instruments.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
It fortuned, that whan Dauid was come agayne from the slaughter of the Philistyne, the wemen wente out of all the cities of Israel with songes & daunses, to mete kynge Saul, with tymbrels, with myrth, and with fyddels.
American Standard Version
And it came to pass as they came, when David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with timbrels, with joy, and with instruments of music.
Bible in Basic English
Now on their way, when David came back after the destruction of the Philistine, the women came out of all the towns of Israel, with songs and dances, meeting David with melody and joy and instruments of music.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And as they came againe when Dauid was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dausing, to meete king Saul, with timbrels, with ioy, and with [instrumentes of] musicke.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And it came to pass as they came, when David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with timbrels, with joy, and with three-stringed instruments.
King James Version (1611)
And it came to passe as they came when Dauid was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meete king Saul, with tabrets, with ioy, and with instruments of musicke.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And there came out women in dances to meet David out of all the cities of Israel, with timbrels, and with rejoicing, and with cymbals.
English Revised Version
And it came to pass as they came, when David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with timbrels, with joy, and with instruments of music.
Berean Standard Bible
As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other musical instruments.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Forsothe whanne Dauid turnede ayen, whanne `the Filistei was slayn, and bar the heed of `the Filistei in to Jerusalem, wymmen yeden out of alle the citees of Israel, and sungen, and ledden queris, ayens the comyng of king Saul, in tympans of gladnesse, and in trumpis.
Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass, in their coming in, in David's returning from smiting the Philistine, that the women come out from all the cities of Israel to sing -- also the dancers -- to meet Saul the king, with tabrets, with joy, and with three-stringed instruments;
Update Bible Version
And it came to pass as they came, when David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with timbrels, with joy, and with instruments of music.
Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass as they came, when David had returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music.
World English Bible
It happened as they came, when David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with instruments of music.
New King James Version
Now it had happened as they were coming home, when David was returning from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women had come out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments.
New Living Translation
When the victorious Israelite army was returning home after David had killed the Philistine, women from all the towns of Israel came out to meet King Saul. They sang and danced for joy with tambourines and cymbals.
New Life Bible
When David returned from killing the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, playing songs of joy on timbrels.
New Revised Standard
As they were coming home, when David returned from killing the Philistine, the women came out of all the towns of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But so it was, when they came in on the return of David from the smiting of the Philistine, that the women went forth out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet Saul the king, - with timbrels, with rejoicing, and with instruments of three strings.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now when David returned, after he slew the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with timbrels of joy, and cornets.
Revised Standard Version
As they were coming home, when David returned from slaying the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with timbrels, with songs of joy, and with instruments of music.
THE MESSAGE
As they returned home, after David had killed the Philistine, the women poured out of all the villages of Israel singing and dancing, welcoming King Saul with tambourines, festive songs, and lutes. In playful frolic the women sang, Saul kills by the thousand, David by the ten thousand! This made Saul angry—very angry. He took it as a personal insult. He said, "They credit David with ‘ten thousands' and me with only ‘thousands.' Before you know it they'll be giving him the kingdom!" From that moment on, Saul kept his eye on David.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
It happened as they were coming, when David returned from killing the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy and with musical instruments.

Contextual Overview

6 Now it happened as they were coming, when David returned from killing the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy and with other musical instruments.7 The women sang as they played, and said, "Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands." 8 Then Saul became very angry, for this lyric displeased him; and he said, "They have given David credit for ten thousands, but to me they have given credit for only thousands! Now what more can he have but the kingdom?" 9 And Saul eyed David with suspicion from that day on. 10 Now it came about on the next day that an evil spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved in the midst of the house while David was playing the harp with his hand, as usual; and a spear was in Saul's hand. 11 Then Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, "I will pin David to the wall." But David escaped from his presence, twice.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Philistine: or, Philistines

the women: Exodus 15:20, Judges 11:34, Psalms 68:25, Jeremiah 31:11-13

instruments of music: Heb. three stringed instruments, The original shalishim, is rendered by the Vulgate sistris. The sistrum. The sistrum was an ancient Egyptian instrument made of brass, with three, and sometimes more brass rods across; which, being loose in their holes, made a jingling noise when shaken.

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:17 - to Judges 21:21 - dance 1 Samuel 29:5 - General 2 Samuel 1:20 - Philistines Jeremiah 31:4 - again

Cross-References

Isaiah 32:8
But the noble person devises noble plans; And by noble plans he stands.
Matthew 13:33
He spoke another parable to them: "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three sata of flour until it was all leavened."
Acts 16:15
Now when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us.
Romans 12:13
contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
Galatians 5:13
For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.
Hebrews 13:2
Do not neglect hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.
1 Peter 4:9
Be hospitable to one another without complaint.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And it came to pass, as they came,.... The armies of Israel, with their commanders at the head of them:

when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine; either from the slaughter of Goliath, with his head in his hand, going to Jerusalem, and Saul accompanying him; or rather from the slaughter of the Philistines at some other time, the singular being put for the plural; since, according to the order of the history, this seems to be done after David was brought to court, and had been made a captain, and had been sent out on military expeditions, and had been successful therein, and from one of which he now returned:

that the women came out of all the cities of Israel; through which they passed:

singing and dancing; as were usual after great victories obtained, and deliverances wrought, the female sex being generally greatly affected with such things; since when things go otherwise they suffer much, and their fears rise high in time of battle; and when victory goes on their side, it gives them great joy, and which they used to express in this way:

to meet King Saul; the commander-in-chief, with his other officers, and David among the rest:

with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music; with pipes or flutes, which they both blew with their mouths, and played on with their hands, and other musical instruments exciting joy; the last word is, by the Targum, rendered,

"with cymbals;''

and so the Septuagint version; it signifies a musical instrument of three cords, according to Kimchi; and others, as Ben Gersom, understand it of principal songs, in which things wonderful, excellent, and honourable, were spoken of: see Exodus 15:20. Such sort of women were among the Romans called Cymballatriae and Tympanistriae t, who shook the cymbals, and beat upon tabrets and drums at times of rejoicing.

t Vid. Pignorium de Servis, p. 166, 174.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The Philistine - Rather as in the margin. The allusion is not to Goliath, but to one of the expeditions referred to in 1 Samuel 18:5.

Singing and dancing - Women used to dance to the sound of the timbrel, and to sing as they danced and played.

(instruments of music The word means, an instrument like the triangle, or with three cords.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Samuel 18:6. When David was returned — This verse connects well with the 54th verse of the preceding chapter; 1 Samuel 17:54 and carries on the narration without any break or interruption. See the notes there.

The women came out — It was the principal business of certain women to celebrate victories, sing at funerals, c.

With instruments of music. — The original word (שלשים shalishim) signifies instruments with three strings and is, I think, properly translated by the Vulgate, cum sistris, "with sistrums." This instrument is well known as being used among the ancient Egyptians: it was made of brass, and had three, sometimes more, brass rods across; which, being loose in their holes, made a jingling noise when the instrument was shaken.


 
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