And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.
The women sang back and forth to each other as they danced and celebrated, saying, 'Saul has killed thousands of enemies, but David has killed ten thousands!'
The women were celebrating David's military victories with songs that praised him even more than King Saul, which would soon create serious problems.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative, this verse occurs shortly after David, a young shepherd, defeats the giant Goliath, leading to a great victory for the Israelites against the Philistines. As the victorious army returns, women come out to meet them with music and dance, a customary way to celebrate military successes in ancient Israel. This song praises David more highly than King Saul, foreshadowing the tension and jealousy that develops between them.
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