1 Samuel 17:41 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the Philistine moved forward and came near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him.

NIV: Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David.

NASB: Then the Philistine came and approached David, with the shield-bearer in front of him.

CSB: The Philistine came closer and closer to David, with the shield-bearer in front of him.

NLT: Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him,

KJV: And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.

NKJV: So the Philistine came, and began drawing near to David, and the man who bore the shield went before him.

The Israelites and Philistines have been facing off for war (1 Samuel 17:1–3). A Philistine giant, Goliath, has challenged Israel to champion warfare—one representative from each side would battle to determine the victorious nation (1 Samuel 17:4–10). So far, Israel has produced no champion (1 Samuel 17:11, 24), despite the promise of great reward (1 Samuel 17:25). The giant is more than intimidating—he is nearly ten feet tall, or about three meters, clad in body armor, and equipped with impressive weapons. But David, a part-time shepherd and part-time servant to King Saul (1 Samuel 16:14–23; 17:15), has volunteered (1 Samuel 17:31–37). David is confident God will bring the victory.

After trying the king's armor, David opts for his shepherd's gear instead (1 Samuel 17:38–40). As he approaches the Philistine, the Philistine also moves forward. Goliath is named only twice in the narrative (1 Samuel 17:4, 23), referred to otherwise simply as "the Philistine." This is perhaps to keep him from receiving any more respect in the text than is necessary. He has been shouting out challenges to the armies of Israel for forty days, every morning and evening (1 Samuel 17:16), demanding that the Israelites send out a man to fight him to death to decide the fate of the battle (1 Samuel 17:10). Until this moment, the response from the Israelites has been only fear and retreat (1 Samuel 17:11, 24).

Now, finally, someone approaches to answer Goliath's challenge. Goliath, along with the man who carries his massive shield, moves toward the apparent champion of Israel. Goliath is not impressed (1 Samuel 17:42).

First Samuel 17:41–54 describes a world-renowned fight. Goliath is a Philistine giant armed with massive weapons. David is a teenager armed only with his shepherd's sling: a long leather strap used to throw hand-sized stones at deadly speed. Goliath mocks David, and the Lord. David replies by expressing faith and vowing to cut off Goliath's head. As the two approach each other, David slings a stone into Goliath's forehead, crushing the giant's skull. The Philistine falls, and David runs up to remove Goliath's sword, making good on his promise to behead the enemy. The Philistine army panics, flees, and the Israelite army follows to complete the victory.

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.