What does 1 Samuel chapter 17 mean?

The story of David and Goliath is globally renowned. Reading it in context helps us remember that it is a historical account, not a fable or metaphor. Context also helps us to interpret it rightly. In this account, we see that the Lord works through those who trust Him. God can save and bless His people, no matter how unlikely a positive outcome seems. We also see God already using David to accomplish kingly purposes, though he was not yet on the earthly throne of Israel. Within the broader biblical narrative, we see connections to God's promise of a Messiah in Genesis 3:15 and how this account foreshadows Jesus' work on the cross. David defeated the metaphorical serpent of Goliath and rescued the Israelites from captivity to the godless Philistines. Jesus defeats the serpent Satan and rescues us from slavery to sin (Colossians 2:15; Romans 6:6–23).

Saul led Israel to victory over many of their enemies (1 Samuel 14:47–48), yet he continually battled the Philistines (1 Samuel 14:52). As this chapter opens, the Philistines are attempting to expand their territory in Israel. The forces are assembled between the land of Judah and the cities of the Philistines, at the Valley of Elah. Each army—Philistine and Israelite—occupies a hill with the valley between them (1 Samuel 17:1–3).

Goliath of Gath is introduced as a champion of the Philistines. He is a warrior standing just under ten feet—or nearly three meters—tall and outfitted from head to toe with heavy bronze armor. He carries a bronze javelin on his back and a spear like a weaver's rod with a heavy iron head. The scales of his armor and defiance of God suggest the serpent (Genesis 3:1) who acted in the fall of man (1 Samuel 17:4–7).

This imposing figure steps out of the Philistine ranks as they face off against the Israelites on the opposite hill. He begins to shout out challenges to the Israelites, telling them to send a man to fight him in single combat to the death. The people of the loser will become servants to the people of the victor. No further battle will be needed. This practice was occasionally used to prevent extensive bloodshed or drawn-out conflicts. In this case, King Saul and all of the Israelite soldiers are terrified, and nobody answers Goliath's challenge. This goes on every day, twice a day, for forty days (1 Samuel 17:8–11, 16).

Meanwhile, the elderly Jesse of Bethlehem sends David, his youngest son who watches the sheep, to deliver food supplies to Jesse's three oldest sons at the Israelite camp. David leaves early in the morning and arrives in time to see the two armies forming battle ranks against each other (1 Samuel 17:12–22).

As David stands talking with his brothers, Goliath comes out to issue his daily challenge for anyone among the Israelites to come and fight him to the death to decide the battle. David hears the giant's taunt. The men of Israel's army respond with fear and flee (1 Samuel 17:23–24).

Israel's soldiers also talk with one another about the situation, commenting on Goliath and on the reward for any who would defeat him. King Saul will give such a victor great wealth, the hand of his own daughter in marriage, and an exemption for his family from taxes and government service. David verifies this by asking the men nearby about the reward for the person who removes the reproach from Israel by killing the Philistine champion. Rather than express fear about Goliath or awe at his size, David remarks on how this uncircumcised Philistine could defy the armies of the living God. The men around verify the promised reward (1 Samuel 17:25–27).

Although David's oldest brother Eliab is furious, thinking David to be conceited and self-serving, David's bold words reach the ears of the king and he summons David to see him. David says nobody should be afraid, because he will fight the Philistine champion. David overcomes Saul's objections about his youth and inexperience in battle by describing how the Lord gave him victory over the lions and bears who tried to steal his father's sheep. David is confident the Lord will do the same for him with Goliath (1 Samuel 17:28–37).

Saul gives David his blessing and attempts to outfit the young man with his own armor and weapons. But David has not worn this armor before and cannot go into battle with untested gear. So, he refuses the armor and instead goes as a shepherd, taking his staff, sling, and five stones he picks up on the way (1 Samuel 17:37–40).

As David and Goliath approach each other on the field of battle, the Philistine champion is insulted by the unworthiness of his young opponent. Goliath asks if he's a dog that can be chased off with a stick and curses David by his gods. He says that he will feed David's corpse to the birds and wild animals (1 Samuel 17:41–44).

David is not intimidated by Goliath or the shield-bearer in front of the Philistine champion. David acknowledges Goliath's impressive weapons and then dismisses them. David declares that he comes to the battle in the name of the Lord Almighty, whose armies Goliath has been defying. David tells the champion of the Philistines that, by the Lord's power, he will strike Goliath down, cut off his head, and give his body to the birds and animals. In this, the whole world would know that the God of Israel is real. All those present will understand that the battle is the Lord's and He does not need swords and spears to save His people (1 Samuel 17:45–47).

David and Goliath approach each other. David loads one stone into his sling and fires it. Slings were lethal weapons (Genesis 3:1) and David uses his with skill and precision. Slings were long straps used to throw palm-sized rocks hard enough to crack like a bullwhip. David's attack hits Goliath with enormous force, probably between the eyes. The rock crushes the giant's skull and drops him face first to the ground. David rushes up, takes Goliath's sword, and kills him. Then David cuts off Goliath's head (1 Samuel 17:48–51).

The Philistine army immediately retreats, running for their lives. The armies of Israel chase after them, pursuing them all the way back to their walled cities in Gath and Ekron before returning to plunder their camp. David eventually delivers Goliath's head to Jerusalem; he keeps the armor for himself (1 Samuel 17:51–54).

Saul asks Abner, the commander of this army, whose son David is. Abner brings David, with Goliath's head, to the king following the battle. David tells Saul his father is Jesse of Bethlehem (1 Samuel 17:55–58).