1 Samuel 17:9

9 If he be able to fight with me and to kill me, then will we be your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then shall ye be our servants and serve us."

1 Samuel 17:9 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 17:9

If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be
your servants
For which it does not appear he had any commission or authority to say; nor did the Philistines think themselves obliged to abide by what he said, since, when he was slain, they did not yield themselves servants to the Israelites:

but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our
servants, and serve us;
to which terms also the Israelites did not consent; nor did David, who engaged with him, enter the fray on such conditions.

1 Samuel 17:9 In-Context

7 And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam, and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron; and one bearing a shield went before him.

8 And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel and said unto them, "Why have ye come out to set up in battle array? Am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? Choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.

9 If he be able to fight with me and to kill me, then will we be your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then shall ye be our servants and serve us."

10 And the Philistine said, "I defy the armies of Israel this day! Give me a man, that we may fight together!"

11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.