King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 17:25 Mean?

1 Samuel 17:25 in the King James Version says “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,... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

1 Samuel 17:25 · KJV


Context

23

And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion , the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.

24

And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid. from: Heb. from his face

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.

26

And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

27

And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen our understanding of God's character, purposes, and ways of working in human history?
  2. What specific heart attitudes, thought patterns, or life practices does this passage call you to examine or change?
  3. How does this passage connect to the larger biblical narrative of redemption and point toward Christ and the gospel?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר׀1 of 30

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הָאִ֨ישׁ2 of 30

And the men

H376

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׃3 of 30

Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

הַרְּאִיתֶם֙4 of 30

Have ye seen

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

הָאִ֨ישׁ5 of 30

And the men

H376

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)

עֹלֶ֑ה6 of 30

is he come up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

הַזֶּ֔ה7 of 30
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

כִּ֛י8 of 30
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לְחָרֵ֥ף9 of 30

surely to defy

H2778

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;

אֶת10 of 30
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃11 of 30

Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

עֹלֶ֑ה12 of 30

is he come up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

וְֽ֠הָיָה13 of 30
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

הָאִ֨ישׁ14 of 30

And the men

H376

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)

אֲשֶׁר15 of 30
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יַכֶּ֜נּוּ16 of 30

who killeth

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

יַעְשְׁרֶ֥נּוּ17 of 30

will enrich

H6238

properly, to accumulate; chiefly (specifically) to grow (causatively, make) rich

הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ׀18 of 30

him the king

H4428

a king

עֹ֣שֶׁר19 of 30

riches

H6239

wealth

גָּד֗וֹל20 of 30

him with great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וְאֶת21 of 30
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בִּתּוֹ֙22 of 30

him his daughter

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

יִתֶּן23 of 30

and will give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

ל֔וֹ24 of 30
H0
וְאֵת֙25 of 30
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בֵּ֣ית26 of 30

house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אָבִ֔יו27 of 30

his father's

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

יַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה28 of 30

and make

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

חָפְשִׁ֖י29 of 30

free

H2670

exempt (from bondage, tax or care)

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃30 of 30

Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 17:25 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 17:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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