1 Samuel 17:9

9 If he can fight me and kill me, we'll be your slaves; but if I beat him and kill him, you will become slaves 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 The shaft of his spear was as big as a weaver's beam, and the iron spearhead weighed fifteen pounds. His shield-bearer went ahead of him.

8 He stood and yelled at the armies of Isra'el, "Why come out and draw up a battle line? I'm a P'lishti, and you are servants of Sha'ul, so choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me.

9 If he can fight me and kill me, we'll be your slaves; but if I beat him and kill him, you will become slaves and serve us."

10 The P'lishti added, "I challenge Isra'el's armies today - give me a man, and we'll fight it out!"

11 When Sha'ul and all Isra'el heard those words of the P'lishti, they were shaken and terrified.