What does 1 Samuel 17:35 mean?
Encamped at the Valley of Elah against the Philistines, the Israelite army has yet to produce a champion. A Philistine giant, Goliath, has been taunting them for forty days, challenging Israel to send a man to fight him (1 Samuel 17:16). The winner of that battle would be the representative victor for his nation (1 Samuel 17:8–10). But Goliath is no ordinary man. He is half-again as tall as the other soldiers, dressed in full protective gear, and equipped with the latest in weapon technology (1 Samuel 17:4–7).David has come to the battlefield to deliver food to his brothers (1 Samuel 17:17–18). Hearing the Philistine's challenge, David asks what will be done for the Israelite who removes this shame (1 Samuel 17:26). David indicates Goliath has no standing against the armies of the living God. David's words are reported to King Saul, who calls the young man (1 Samuel 17:31). David volunteers to fight Goliath (1 Samuel 17:32).
Evidently, David isn't old enough to serve in the military, so Saul says the boy is no match for a seasoned warrior like Goliath. David responds with his resume as a shepherd (1 Samuel 17:34). Attacks by wild animals were apparently a normal part of shepherding a flock of sheep during this era. Lions and bears did indeed roam the forest and hills of Israel, looking for prey. A flock of sheep guarded by a boy likely made for an inviting target.
David's point to King Saul was that he was not just any boy-shepherd. He did not allow lions and bears to make off with his sheep for the sake of his own safety. Instead, when a large predator would attack his flock and take a sheep, David would chase the animal down. He would hit the beast, likely with his staff, to save the sheep out of its mouth. If the lion or bear turned to attack David, the boy would continue to strike it until it was dead, even grabbing it by the hair of its jaw or neck if necessary.
David wants the king to understand that his courage to fight Goliath isn't just youthful boldness. He believes himself to be experienced in battle against much larger opponents that wanted to kill him.
First Samuel 17:31–40 sets the stage for a famous battle. The enormous Philistine champion, Goliath, has been taunting the Israelite army. David, though likely only in his early teenaged years, insists that the Philistine can be defeated. As a shepherd, David has killed bears and lions who attacked the flock. More importantly, David believes that God will punish the Philistine's defiance. King Saul agrees to let David try; he declines to use Saul's armor (1 Samuel 16:21) because he has no experience with it. Instead, he carefully selects stones for his sling and heads out to fight.
David, delivering food to his brothers at the Israelite army camp, hears the Philistine Goliath's defiant challenge. Single man combat could decide the battle, but no Israelite wanted to face the massive warrior. David is appalled that a Philistine would defy the armies of the living God. He volunteers to fight, and King Saul agrees. Before the battle, David declares that the Lord will give victory and thereby show the world that there is a God in Israel. David quickly kills and beheads Goliath. The Israelites chase the Philistines back to their own territory and plunder their camp. David brings Goliath's head to Saul.
