1 Samuel 17:30 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he turned away from him toward another, and spoke in the same way, and the people answered him again as before.

NIV: He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before.

NASB: Then he turned away from him to another and said the same thing; and the people replied with the same words as before.

CSB: Then he turned from those beside him to others in front of him and asked about the offer. The people gave him the same answer as before.

NLT: He walked over to some others and asked them the same thing and received the same answer.

KJV: And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.

NKJV: Then he turned from him toward another and said the same thing; and these people answered him as the first ones did.

The Philistines and Israelites are at the Valley of Elah for war (1 Samuel 17:1–3). A giant Philistine champion, Goliath (1 Samuel 17:4–7), has challenged the Israelites to a winner-take-all duel (1 Samuel 17:8–10). The Israelites remain at the battlefield and form their lines daily, but they respond to this threat with great fear (1 Samuel 17:11, 24). Despite the offer of enormous reward (1 Samuel 17:25), no one is willing to take on the giant. In the midst of this, David has been sent by his father, Jesse, to bring food and check on his three oldest brothers who are with the Israelite army (1 Samuel 17:12–18). He hears Goliath's threats and inquires as to what will be done for the man who overcomes him. Goliath is a Philistine; Israel is the army of the living God (1 Samuel 17:26)—Israel need not live in this reproach.

David's oldest brother, Eliab, has come down on him in hot wrath for showing up to the battle and asking these apparently presumptuous questions (1 Samuel 17:28). Eliab seems to have been shamed and embarrassed by David's response to the situation. But David doesn't allow his brother's scolding to stop him from asking his questions. He just walks away and finds another group of soldiers to talk to. They tell him the same as he had heard before: The king will richly reward the man who succeeds in killing the Philistine champion (1 Samuel 17:25, 27).

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.