1 Samuel Chapter 17 · Verse 10

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ said H559
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 14
to say (used with great latitude)
הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔י And the Philistine H6430
הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔י And the Philistine
Strong's: H6430
Word #: 2 of 14
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
אֲנִ֗י H589
אֲנִ֗י
Strong's: H589
Word #: 3 of 14
i
חֵרַ֛פְתִּי I defy H2778
חֵרַ֛פְתִּי I defy
Strong's: H2778
Word #: 4 of 14
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 #: 5 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מַֽעַרְכ֥וֹת the armies H4634
מַֽעַרְכ֥וֹת the armies
Strong's: H4634
Word #: 6 of 14
an arrangement; concretely, a pile; specifically a military array
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 7 of 14
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
הַיּ֣וֹם this day H3117
הַיּ֣וֹם this day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 8 of 14
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַזֶּ֑ה H2088
הַזֶּ֑ה
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 9 of 14
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
תְּנוּ give H5414
תְּנוּ give
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 10 of 14
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לִ֣י H0
לִ֣י
Strong's: H0
Word #: 11 of 14
אִ֔ישׁ me a man H376
אִ֔ישׁ me a man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 12 of 14
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)
וְנִֽלָּחֲמָ֖ה that we may fight H3898
וְנִֽלָּחֲמָ֖ה that we may fight
Strong's: H3898
Word #: 13 of 14
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
יָֽחַד׃ together H3162
יָֽחַד׃ together
Strong's: H3162
Word #: 14 of 14
properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly

Analysis & Commentary

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

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.

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