King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 17:43 Mean?

1 Samuel 17:43 in the King James Version says “And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by h...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.”

1 Samuel 17:43 · KJV

Context

41

And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.

42

And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.

43

And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

44

And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.

45

Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

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 · 16 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 16

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֛י2 of 16

“And the Philistine”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

אֶל3 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

דָּוִ֖ד4 of 16

“David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

הֲכֶ֣לֶב5 of 16

“Am I a dog”

H3611

a dog; hence (by euphemism) a male prostitute

אָנֹ֔כִי6 of 16
H595

i

כִּֽי7 of 16
H3588

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

אַתָּ֥ה8 of 16
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בָֽא9 of 16

“that thou comest”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֵלַ֖י10 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בַּמַּקְל֑וֹת11 of 16

“to me with staves”

H4731

a shoot, i.e., stick (with leaves on, or for walking, striking, guiding, divining)

וַיְקַלֵּ֧ל12 of 16

“cursed”

H7043

to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)

הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֛י13 of 16

“And the Philistine”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

אֶת14 of 16
H853

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

דָּוִ֖ד15 of 16

“David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

בֵּֽאלֹהָֽיו׃16 of 16

“by his gods”

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

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 17:43 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 17:43 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 24:142 Samuel 3:82 Samuel 9:82 Samuel 16:92 Kings 8:13Genesis 27:29

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