1 Samuel 17:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the Philistine said, "I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man, that we may fight together."

NIV: Then the Philistine said, "This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other."

NASB: Then the Philistine said, 'I have defied the ranks of Israel this day! Give me a man, so that we may fight together.'

CSB: Then the Philistine said, "I defy the ranks of Israel today. Send me a man so we can fight each other!"

NLT: I defy the armies of Israel today! Send me a man who will fight me!'

KJV: And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.

NKJV: And the Philistine said, “I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.”

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).

First Samuel 17:1–11 introduces a Philistine champion called Goliath. The armies of Israel and Philistia face off across a valley. Goliath is massive, towering over every other warrior, with gigantic weapons to match. Day after day (1 Samuel 17:16), he taunts the Israelite army. Goliath dares them to send their own champion to face him in single combat; the winner will determine which army is victorious. The Israelite soldiers are too intimidated 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.

Saul was made king of Israel (1 Samuel 9—10) and had many early successes (1 Samuel 11—14). However, his disobedience resulted in God's plan for a different king (1 Samuel 15). The prophet Samuel anointed David as this future monarch (1 Samuel 16:11–13). David has been serving as a musician for Saul (1 Samuel 16:18–21) and comes visit his brothers during a standoff between Israelite and Philistine forces. This leads to the famous story of David and Goliath. David's victory publicly triggers his rise to power, paralleled by Saul's collapse. In the end, Saul will die in disgrace (1 Samuel 31:4–7) and David will be appointed the new king of Israel (1 Samuel 2:45:1–3).

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.

Accessed 3/28/2025 6:22:01 PM