The answer is: Tens of thousands

1 Samuel 18:7 - This song is mentioned on 4 occasions in 1 Samuel

The famous tagline, "Saul has killed his thousands, but David his tens of thousands," is quite the lyrical highlight within the narrative of 1 Samuel. It signifies the rising popularity of David, a young shepherd who had caught everyone's attention after defeating the giant Goliath with just a slingshot. Saul finds that he's no longer the solitary warrior in the center of attention. Instead, David, his harp-playing friend and servant, steps into the public spotlight with killer charisma and an impressive battlefield tally.

What's intriguing here is the shift in the dynamic of royal favor and public opinion. This song reverberated not just through folk music of the time, but also through the social setup of Israel, where victory on the battlefield equated to not just loyalty, but personal worthiness.

Interestingly, the song plays on a theme of contrast that's common in biblical texts. Think about the "first will be last" Gospel echo or even the rise and fall of kings throughout history, where great leaders are sometimes overshadowed by other figures. David's journey as a beloved figure eventually leads to both jealousy from Saul and a remarkable rise to kingship, highlighting the ironic twists Destiny often takes in ancient narratives.

In fact, set against the backdrop of tribalism in Israel at the time, this tune works as both an anthem of celebration and an early rumble of the political tensions that weave through the rest of David's story. Isn’t it fascinating how a simple song could express both devotion and discord?