1 Samuel 17:37

ESV And David said, "The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the Lord be with you!"
NIV The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine." Saul said to David, "Go, and the Lord be with you."
NASB And David said, 'The Lord who saved me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear, He will save me from the hand of this Philistine.' So Saul said to David, 'Go, and may the Lord be with you.'
CSB Then David said, "The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine." Saul said to David, "Go, and may the Lord be with you."
NLT The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!' Saul finally consented. 'All right, go ahead,' he said. 'And may the Lord be with you!'
KJV David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.
NKJV Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”

What does 1 Samuel 17:37 mean?

David is merely a youth, the youngest brother of actual soldiers in Saul's army (1 Samuel 17:12–14). He is old enough to be Saul's armor-bearer, but not quite old enough to get out of the duty of guarding sheep instead of fighting Philistines (1 Samuel 16:21–23; 17:15).

David is at this battlefield now to deliver food to his brothers (1 Samuel 17:17–18). For forty days, Israel has been forming its battle lines and hearing the challenge of a Philistine champion (1 Samuel 17:8–10, 16). A representative from Israel could fight this champion, Goliath, to determine the victor. Given the imposing size and weaponry of the Philistine (1 Samuel 17:4–7), Israelite soldiers have responded in fear (1 Samuel 17:11, 24). No one has volunteered to go against Goliath, despite the promise of great reward (1 Samuel 17:25). David heard those challenges, and he volunteered to fight (1 Samuel 17:32).

King Saul has told David he is no match for the Philistine (1 Samuel 17:33). David has responded with his experience as a shepherd (1 Samuel 17:34–35). He has also reemphasized that the Philistine is a pagan standing against the armies of the living God (1 Samuel 17:26, 36). Now David convinces the king that David is the man to fight. His experience killing wild animals in protection of the sheep is useful, but he makes it clear in this verse that all the credit for those kills goes to the Lord God of Israel. It is the Lord who saved David from the lion and the bear, not his own skill and bravery.

In the same way, David tells Saul, it is the Lord who will deliver him from the Philistine champion, no matter how outmatched he may seem. David's confidence is not in himself but fully in the Lord to carry out His judgment on the Philistines through him.

Saul agrees, telling David to go and "the Lord be with you." It's unclear whether Saul was convicted by David's bold faith, or merely desperate and willing to try anything at this point.
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