1 Samuel Chapter 17 · Verse 41
And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.
Original Language Analysis
הֹלֵ֥ךְ
on
H1980
הֹלֵ֥ךְ
on
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
1 of 10
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔י
And the Philistine
H6430
הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔י
And the Philistine
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
2 of 10
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
הֹלֵ֥ךְ
on
H1980
הֹלֵ֥ךְ
on
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
3 of 10
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְהָאִ֛ישׁ
and the man
H376
וְהָאִ֛ישׁ
and the man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
7 of 10
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)
נֹשֵׂ֥א
that bare
H5375
נֹשֵׂ֥א
that bare
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
8 of 10
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
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?
Analysis & Commentary
And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.
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.