1 Samuel 17:25
And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.
Original Language Analysis
הָאִ֨ישׁ
And the men
H376
הָאִ֨ישׁ
And the men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 30
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
Israel
H3478
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
3 of 30
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
הַרְּאִיתֶם֙
Have ye seen
H7200
הַרְּאִיתֶם֙
Have ye seen
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
4 of 30
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
הָאִ֨ישׁ
And the men
H376
הָאִ֨ישׁ
And the men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
5 of 30
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
עֹלֶ֑ה
is he come up
H5927
עֹלֶ֑ה
is he come up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
6 of 30
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
הַזֶּ֔ה
H2088
כִּ֛י
H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
8 of 30
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לְחָרֵ֥ף
surely to defy
H2778
לְחָרֵ֥ף
surely to defy
Strong's:
H2778
Word #:
9 of 30
to pull off, i.e., (by implication) to expose (as by stripping); specifically, to betroth (as if a surrender); figuratively, to carp at, i.e., defame;
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
Israel
H3478
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
11 of 30
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
עֹלֶ֑ה
is he come up
H5927
עֹלֶ֑ה
is he come up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
12 of 30
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
וְֽ֠הָיָה
H1961
וְֽ֠הָיָה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
13 of 30
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הָאִ֨ישׁ
And the men
H376
הָאִ֨ישׁ
And the men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
14 of 30
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
15 of 30
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יַכֶּ֜נּוּ
who killeth
H5221
יַכֶּ֜נּוּ
who killeth
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
16 of 30
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
יַעְשְׁרֶ֥נּוּ
will enrich
H6238
יַעְשְׁרֶ֥נּוּ
will enrich
Strong's:
H6238
Word #:
17 of 30
properly, to accumulate; chiefly (specifically) to grow (causatively, make) rich
גָּד֗וֹל
him with great
H1419
גָּד֗וֹל
him with great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
20 of 30
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בִּתּוֹ֙
him his daughter
H1323
בִּתּוֹ֙
him his daughter
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
22 of 30
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
יִתֶּן
and will give
H5414
יִתֶּן
and will give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
23 of 30
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
וְאֵת֙
H853
וְאֵת֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
25 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֵּ֣ית
house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
26 of 30
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אָבִ֔יו
his father's
H1
אָבִ֔יו
his father's
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
27 of 30
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה
and make
H6213
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה
and make
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
28 of 30
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
Joshua 15:16And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjath-sepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.Revelation 3:12Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.Revelation 2:7He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Historical Context
The establishment of monarchy around 1050-1010 BCE represented a dramatic political and theological shift for Israel. Unlike surrounding nations where kings were considered divine or semi-divine, Israel's kings were supposed to function under God's ultimate authority as laid out in Deuteronomy 17:14-20. The Benjamite tribe occupied strategic territory between Ephraim and Judah, making Saul's selection a politically astute choice to balance tribal rivalries. Archaeological remains from this period show increased fortification and centralization of settlements, confirming the transition to state-level organization.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage deepen our understanding of God's character, purposes, and ways of working in human history?
- What specific heart attitudes, thought patterns, or life practices does this passage call you to examine or change?
- How does this passage connect to the larger biblical narrative of redemption and point toward Christ and the gospel?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.
The Goliath narrative demonstrates that human impossibilities create opportunities for divine glory. David's confidence rests not in weapons or military training but in the character of the God who delivered him from lion and bear. His declaration that 'the battle is the LORD's' establishes the theological principle that spiritual victory comes through faith in God's power rather than confidence in human strength. The contrast between Saul's armor (representing human methods) and simple shepherd's weapons (representing faith) teaches that God uses unexpected means to accomplish His purposes and receive glory.