What Does 1 Samuel 18:14 Mean in the King James?
And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Wisdom here is not one brilliant decision but discernment carried through every path, with the LORD present alongside.
THE MEANING
This verse lets you see wisdom as discernment running through the whole course of life, not just the moment that decides it. The LORD’s presence accompanies that way, holding discernment and nearness together.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the idea that wisdom belongs only to exceptional turning points; the verse locates it across all the ways of a life.
THE ROOT
מַשְׂכִּיל
maskil
GROWS FROM
שׂכל
to understand, have insight, and act prudently
“behaved himself wisely” in this verse is maskil. The participle מַשְׂכִּיל (maskil, acting with insight) makes wisdom active: insight taking shape in conduct. Its root can also describe understanding and prudent action, joining clear perception to movement through every path.
ALSO GROWS
sekel: insight, understanding
שֵׂכֶל
This noun shows the perception held inside the idea of acting wisely.
hiskil: acted prudently; prospered
הִשְׂכִּיל
This form links discernment with the way a person’s actions unfold.
דָּוִד
Dāwîd
GROWS FROM
דוד
beloved; dearly loved
David’s name carries the sense of beloved. Beside “the LORD was with him,” that name adds a note of belonging: wise action appears within nearness, not as an isolated performance.
ALSO GROWS
dod: beloved; also a kinsman or uncle
דּוֹד
This branch carries the sense of beloved held in David’s name.
dodim: loves, beloved affection
דּוֹדִים
This related form brings the name’s sense of love into sharper view beside the verse’s language of presence.
THE PATTERN
The LORD’s nearness attends a person’s whole way, guiding its steps and accompanying the walk.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.THE THREAD
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.Joshua’s “good success” is תַּשְׂכִּיל (taskil), from שׂכל (sakal, insight and prudent action), the same root behind מַשְׂכִּיל (maskil, acting wisely) here. The shared root joins clear perception to skillful movement: the way itself becomes the place wisdom is enacted.
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