1 Samuel 17:27 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the people answered him in the same way, "So shall it be done to the man who kills him."

NIV: They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, "This is what will be done for the man who kills him."

NASB: The people answered him in agreement with this statement, saying, 'This is what will be done for the man who kills him.'

CSB: The troops told him about the offer, concluding, "That is what will be done for the man who kills him."

NLT: And these men gave David the same reply. They said, 'Yes, that is the reward for killing him.'

KJV: And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.

NKJV: And the people answered him in this manner, saying, “So shall it be done for the man who kills him.”

This verse describes the answer to David's question (Isaiah 17:26). Philistines and Israelites are gathered for war near the Valley of Elah (1 Samuel 17:1–3, 19). The Philistines sent a champion, Goliath of Gath, to challenge the Israelites to a representative fight. If an Israelite could kill Goliath, the Philistines would serve Israel. If not, Israel would serve the Philistines (1 Samuel 17:8–10). The fight would not be fair. Goliath was nearly ten feet—three meters—tall, covered in body armor, and fitted with an impressive sword (1 Samuel 17:4–7). He taunted the Israelites twice a day for forty days (1 Samuel 17:16). They responded in terror (1 Samuel 17:11), even fleeing the battle line (1 Samuel 17:24).

But the Israelites remain at their camp. They talk amongst themselves about the imposing enemy. They also talk of the reward King Saul would give to any Israelite who could defeat the champion (1 Samuel 17:15). David, newly arrived from tending sheep in Bethlehem with food and greetings for his three eldest brothers (1 Samuel 17:14–18, 22), has seen the daily taunt. He has also asked about the reward to be given to the person who ends this shame. David questions who the Philistine is to defy the armies of the living God (1 Samuel 17:26).

The people who respond say "so shall it be," referring back to what the people were saying previously (1 Samuel 17:25). It was apparently common knowledge among the Israelites that Saul would give the man who killed Goliath great wealth. He would also offer his own daughter in marriage and freedom for the hero's extended family from taxation and obligation to serve the king. The reward was massive, in proportion to the massive threat.

First Samuel 17:24–30 records David's reaction to Goliath's taunting. David is merely visiting his older brothers as the Israelite and Philistine armies watch each other across a valley. Goliath is massive, and the Israelite soldiers are afraid to face him in single combat. David's oldest brother scolds him for asking about what rewards will be given to the one who defeats Goliath. This will catch the attention of King Saul.

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.