King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 17:37 Mean?

1 Samuel 17:37 in the King James Version says “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 deli...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

1 Samuel 17:37 · KJV

Salvation

Context

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.

38

And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. armed David: Heb. clothed David with his clothes

39

And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.

Read 1 Samuel 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

David's declaration 'The LORD that delivered me...he will deliver me' articulates the logic of faith: past deliverances ground confidence in future deliverance. The Hebrew natsal (to snatch away, deliver) appears twice, creating a theological chain. Saul's blessing 'the LORD be with thee' grants permission while expressing hope he himself could not experience. David's faith rested not on his skill but on God's covenant faithfulness.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Saul's reluctant permission suggests he saw no better option rather than sharing David's faith. The phrase 'the LORD be with thee' echoed covenant blessings (Genesis 26:3; 28:15) without Saul experiencing their reality. His provision of armor reflected standard military thinking.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you trace God's past deliverances to build faith for present challenges?
  2. What does the contrast between David's confident faith and Saul's desperate permission reveal?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 22

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

דָּוִד֙2 of 22

“David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַֽיהוָ֖ה3 of 22

“and the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֲשֶׁ֨ר4 of 22
H834

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

יַצִּילֵ֔נִי5 of 22

“he will deliver”

H5337

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

מִיַּ֥ד6 of 22

“and out of the paw”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

הָֽאֲרִי֙7 of 22

“of the lion”

H738

a lion

מִיַּ֥ד8 of 22

“and out of the paw”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

הַדֹּ֔ב9 of 22

“of the bear”

H1677

the bear (as slow)

ה֣וּא10 of 22
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יַצִּילֵ֔נִי11 of 22

“he will deliver”

H5337

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

מִיַּ֥ד12 of 22

“and out of the paw”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖י13 of 22

“of this Philistine”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

הַזֶּ֑ה14 of 22
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר15 of 22

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שָׁא֤וּל16 of 22

“And Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

אֶל17 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

דָּוִד֙18 of 22

“David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

לֵ֔ךְ19 of 22
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וַֽיהוָ֖ה20 of 22

“and the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

יִֽהְיֶ֥ה21 of 22
H1961

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

עִמָּֽךְ׃22 of 22
H5973

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

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 17:37 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 17:37 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Timothy 4:17-18Psalms 138:7-82 Corinthians 1:9-10Psalms 63:7Psalms 18:16-171 Samuel 20:13

Test Your Knowledge

1 Samuel 17 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 1 Samuel 17 with CommentaryAll 1 Samuel ChaptersComplete 1 Samuel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes