1 Samuel 17:20-30

David Accepts the Challenge

20 So David arose early in the morning and left the flock with a keeper and took the supplies and went as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the ¹circle of the camp while the army was going out in battle array shouting the war cry.

21 Israel and the Philistines drew up in battle array, army against army.

22 Then David left his ²baggage in the care of the baggage keeper, and ran to the battle line and entered in order to greet * his brothers.

23 As he was talking with them, behold, the champion *, the Philistine from Gath named Goliath, was coming up from the army of the Philistines, and he spoke ³these same words; and David heard them.

24 When all the men of Israel saw the man, they fled from him and were greatly afraid.

25 The men of Israel said, "Have you seen this man who is coming up? Surely he is coming up to defy Israel. And it will be that the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and ⁴will give him his daughter and make his father's house free in Israel."

26 Then David spoke to the men who were standing by him, saying, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away ⁵the reproach from Israel? For who is this ⁶uncircumcised Philistine, that he should ⁷taunt the armies of ⁸the living God?"

27 The people answered him in accord with this word, saying, "⁹Thus it will be done for the man who kills him."

28 Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and ¹⁰Eliab's anger burned against David and he said, "Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your insolence and the wickedness of your heart; for you have come down in order to see the battle."

29 But David said, "What have I done now? Was it not just a question?"

30 Then he turned away * from him to another and ¹¹said the same thing; and the people answered the same thing as before.

1 Samuel 17:20-30 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.

Cross References

• 1. 1 Samuel 26:5, 7
• 2. Judges 18:21; Isaiah 10:28
• 3. 1 Samuel 17:8-10
• 4. Joshua 15:16
• 5. 1 Samuel 11:2
• 6. 1 Samuel 14:6; 1 Samuel 17:36; Jeremiah 9:25, 26
• 7. 1 Samuel 17:10
• 8. Deuteronomy 5:26; 2 Kings 19:4; Jeremiah 10:10
• 9. 1 Samuel 17:25
• 10. Gen 37:4, 8-36; Proverbs 18:19; Matthew 10:36
• 11. 1 Samuel 17:26, 27

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "hand"
• [b]. I.e. free from taxes and public service
• [c]. Lit "said to"
• [d]. Lit "word"
• [e]. Lit "from beside him"
• [f]. Lit "the former word"