King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 17:26 Mean?

1 Samuel 17:26 in the King James Version says “And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and ta... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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?

1 Samuel 17:26 · KJV


Context

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.

28

And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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?

David's question cuts to the theological heart of the matter: Goliath is an 'uncircumcised Philistine' defying 'the armies of the living God.' The Hebrew cherpah (reproach) indicates disgrace or shame. David saw what trained soldiers missed - this was primarily an affront to God's honor, not merely a military problem. His indignation arose from zeal for God's glory rather than personal ambition or youthful rashness.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Circumcision marked covenant membership; its absence marked Goliath as outside God's people and promises. The term 'living God' (Elohim chayyim) contrasted Yahweh with the lifeless idols of Philistine temples (Dagon). David's perspective reflected the covenant worldview lacking in Israel's army.

Reflection Questions

  1. What situations should provoke righteous indignation for God's honor in your context?
  2. How does David's theological framing of the problem transform your approach to impossible situations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
לֵאמֹר֒1 of 29

by him saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

דָּוִ֗ד2 of 29

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֶֽל3 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאֲנָשִׁ֞ים4 of 29

to the men

H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

הָעֹֽמְדִ֣ים5 of 29

that stood

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

עִמּוֹ֮6 of 29
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

לֵאמֹר֒7 of 29

by him saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מַה8 of 29
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

יֵּֽעָשֶׂ֗ה9 of 29

What shall be done

H6213

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

לָאִישׁ֙10 of 29

to the man

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)

אֲשֶׁ֤ר11 of 29
H834

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

יַכֶּה֙12 of 29

that killeth

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אֶת13 of 29
H853

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

הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֤י14 of 29

Philistine

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

הַלָּ֔ז15 of 29

this

H1975

this or that

וְהֵסִ֥יר16 of 29

and taketh away

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

חֶרְפָּ֖ה17 of 29

the reproach

H2781

contumely, disgrace, the pudenda

מֵעַ֣ל18 of 29
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל19 of 29

from Israel

H3478

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

כִּ֣י20 of 29
H3588

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

מִ֗י21 of 29
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֤י22 of 29

Philistine

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

הֶֽעָרֵל֙23 of 29

for who is this uncircumcised

H6189

properly, exposed, i.e., projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e., still having the prepuce uncurtailed)

הַזֶּ֔ה24 of 29
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

כִּ֣י25 of 29
H3588

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

חֵרֵ֔ף26 of 29

that he should 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;

מַֽעַרְכ֖וֹת27 of 29

the armies

H4634

an arrangement; concretely, a pile; specifically a military array

אֱלֹהִ֥ים28 of 29

God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

חַיִּֽים׃29 of 29

of the living

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin


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 17:26 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 17:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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