1 Samuel 17:9

9 If he [is] able to fight with me and he defeats me, then we will be your servants; but if I prevail over him and defeat him, then you will be our servants and you will 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 like a weaver's beam and the point of his spear [weighed] six hundred iron shekels. {His shield bearer} was walking in front of him.

8 He stood and called to the battle lines of Israel and said to them, "Why have you come out to form ranks [for] battle? [Am] I not the Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Commission for yourselves a man and let him come down to me.

9 If he [is] able to fight with me and he defeats me, then we will be your servants; but if I prevail over him and defeat him, then you will be our servants and you will serve us."

10 Then the Philistine said, "I hereby defy the battle lines of Israel today! Give me a man so that we may fight each other!"

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