1 Samuel 17:53-58

53 When the Israelites came back from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp.
54 David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put the Philistine's weapons in his own tent.
55 Now when Saul saw David go out to meet the Philistine, he asked Abner the army general, "Abner, whose son is that boy?" "As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don't know," Abner answered.
56 "Then find out whose son that young man is," the king replied.
57 So when David came back from killing the Philistine, Abner sent for him and presented him to Saul. The Philistine's head was still in David's hand.
58 Saul said to him, "Whose son are you, my boy?" "I'm the son of your servant Jesse from Bethlehem," David answered.

1 Samuel 17:53-58 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 17

This chapter relates how the armies of Israel, and of the Philistines, prepared for battle, and where, 1Sa 17:1-3, describes a champion of the Philistines, who defied the armies of Israel, 1Sa 17:4-11, and while he was so doing, it informs us that David came into the camp, and he heard his words, and signified to one and another his inclination to fight with him, 1Sa 17:12-30, which being reported to Saul, David was sent for by him, and much discourse passed between them about it, 1Sa 17:31-37 when we are told the manner in which he engaged with the Philistine, and the victory he obtained over him, 1Sa 17:38-51 upon which the Philistines fled, and Israel pursued them; and on account of this action David was taken notice of by Saul, and brought to court again, as the following chapter shows, 1Sa 17:52-58.

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