What does 1 Samuel 17:10 mean?
Philistines and Israelites look at each other's armies across a valley (1 Samuel 17:1–3). The imposing Philistine champion, Goliath of Gath (1 Samuel 17:4–7), has challenged the Israelites to a one-on-one contest to determine the battle (1 Samuel 17:8–9). If an Israelite man could kill Goliath, the Philistines would be the Israelites' servants. But if Goliath prevailed, the Israelites would be the Philistines' servants.Here Goliath repeats that challenge. In fact, he "defies" the Israelites to send a man. Goliath clearly hopes to shame the Israelites into sending a supposed champion so the Philistines can win without a battle. As expected, none of the Israelite soldiers consider breaking ranks to confront a confident, gigantic, heavily armored Philistine (1 Samuel 17:11).