King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 17:35 Mean?

1 Samuel 17:35 in the King James Version says “And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him b...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.”

1 Samuel 17:35 · KJV

Salvation

Context

33

And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.

34

And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: lamb: or, kid

35

And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.

36

Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

37

David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

Read 1 Samuel 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew 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.

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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 · 11 words
וְיָצָ֧אתִי1 of 11

“And I went out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אַֽחֲרָ֛יו2 of 11

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

וְהִכִּתִ֖יו3 of 11

“and smote”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

וְהִצַּ֣לְתִּי4 of 11

“him and delivered”

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

מִפִּ֑יו5 of 11

“it out of his mouth”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

וַיָּ֣קָם6 of 11

“and when he arose”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

עָלַ֔י7 of 11
H5921

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

וְהֶֽחֱזַ֙קְתִּי֙8 of 11

“against me I caught”

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

בִּזְקָנ֔וֹ9 of 11

“him by his beard”

H2206

the beard (as indicating age)

וְהִכִּתִ֖יו10 of 11

“and smote”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

וַֽהֲמִיתִּֽיו׃11 of 11

“him and slew”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

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 17:35 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 17:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Timothy 4:17-18Amos 3:12Judges 14:5-6Psalms 91:13Daniel 6:22Acts 28:4-6

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