1 Samuel 17:9

9 If he be able to fight with me, and to smite me, then will we be your servants; but if I overcome and smite 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 shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron; and the shield-bearer went before him.

8 And he stood and cried to the ranks of Israel, and said to them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I the Philistine, and ye servants of Saul? choose for yourselves a man, and let him come down to me.

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

10 And the Philistine said, I have defied the ranks of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.

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