Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Samuel 18:7

"And the women sang one to another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands." — 1 Samuel 18:7 (ASV)

Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. —These words, which sing of the early glory of David in battle, are quoted again in 1 Samuel 29:5. They were, no doubt, the favourite refrain of an old national or folk-song.