What does 1 Samuel 17:26 mean?
The Israelites and Philistines are gathered at the Valley of Elah for war (1 Samuel 17:1–3, 19). David, the youngest son of Jesse, has been sent from tending his father's sheep in Bethlehem to bring food to his three oldest brothers and their division. He is also to bring a message back from his brother (1 Samuel 17:17–18). David is now among the Israelite army. They have lined up for war and shouted their war cries (1 Samuel 17:20). But an imposing Philistine champion, Goliath of Gath, has come out of the Philistine ranks to challenge and taunt the Israelites (1 Samuel 17:23). This nearly ten-foot— three-meter—tall man is clad in protective gear and equipped with an impressive sword (1 Samuel 17:4–7). He challenges the Israelites to champion warfare. He would take on any single Israelite. If the Israelite were able to kill him, the Philistines would become the Israelites' servants. If the Philistine champion won, the Israelites would become the Philistines' servants (1 Samuel 17:8–10). These taunts occur twice each day for forty days (1 Samuel 17:6).The Israelites respond with terror (1 Samuel 17:11); the soldiers flee when Goliath comes up (1 Samuel 17:24). But they also talk amongst themselves about the threat and the promised reward for any who could defeat him. King Saul would give that Israelite man great wealth and his own daughter in marriage. He would also free the man's family from taxes and other civic obligations (1 Samuel 17:25). Here, David inquires about this reward.
David describes Israel's situation as an embarrassment. Israel's lack of response to Goliath is bringing shame on them. Goliath is just one man, although a mighty one. He is a pagan and not part of God's chosen people: he is literally and figuratively "uncircumcised." Goliath is defying the armies of the living God. David sums up the situation with respect to who God is. The Israelites were God's chosen people (Deuteronomy 7:6–11). This Philistine was not simply shaming an army, he was challenging the armies of the living God. In David's estimation, Goliath had no legitimate standing.
The Israelites often described the Philistines as "uncircumcised." By the command of God, every Israelite male was circumcised at eight-days old to show that he belongs to God's people and was included in the covenant (Genesis 17:1–14). Interestingly, many of the nations of the Canaanite region also practiced circumcision. The Philistines brought their custom of not circumcising babies with them when they immigrated into the land. Calling them uncircumcised was a way of saying not only did they not belong to God, but that they also did not belong in the Promised Land.
David was not merely interested in the reward. Nor does he show any apparent fear of the giant. David saw the real issue. A godless man dared to defy the armies of God. Israel was meant to be God's instrument in the world, and yet they were cowering at this enemy. There was shame on Israel and, by extension, God's name.
