King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 17:55 Mean?

1 Samuel 17:55 in the King James Version says “And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son i...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.”

1 Samuel 17:55 · KJV

Context

53

And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents.

54

And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent.

55

And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.

56

And the king said, Enquire thou whose son the stripling is.

57

And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand.

Read 1 Samuel 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.

Saul's question 'whose son is this youth?' raises interpretive questions since David had previously served in his court (16:21-23). The Hebrew na'ar (youth/servant) emphasizes David's lowly status. Several explanations exist: Saul's inquiry concerns David's family for marriage eligibility per his promise (17:25), his unstable mental state caused forgetfulness, or the narrative presents a separate tradition. Regardless, the theological point remains clear - Saul asked about David's earthly lineage while heaven had already declared David's true identity as God's anointed. Abner's inability to identify David underscores how God elevates the obscure to confound the mighty.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Abner son of Ner was Saul's cousin and commander of Israel's army. His oath 'As thy soul liveth' was a standard ancient oath formula. Royal courts employed many servants, making individual recognition difficult. Saul's promise to reward Goliath's slayer with his daughter made family background essential for determining eligibility.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why might God allow His chosen instruments to remain unknown to those in power until the appointed time?
  2. How does the contrast between David's obscure origins and his divine anointing encourage those who feel overlooked?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וְכִרְא֨וֹת1 of 24

“saw”

H7200

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

שָׁא֜וּל2 of 24

“And when Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

אֶת3 of 24
H853

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

דָּוִ֗ד4 of 24

“David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

יֹצֵא֙5 of 24

“go forth”

H3318

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

לִקְרַ֣את6 of 24

“against”

H7125

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔י7 of 24

“the Philistine”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר8 of 24

“he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל9 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַבְנֵ֔ר10 of 24

“Abner”

H74

abner, an israelite

שַׂ֣ר11 of 24

“the captain”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

הַצָּבָ֔א12 of 24

“of the host”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

בֶּן13 of 24

“whose son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

מִי14 of 24
H4310

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

זֶ֥ה15 of 24
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

הַנַּ֖עַר16 of 24

“is this youth”

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

אַבְנֵ֔ר17 of 24

“Abner”

H74

abner, an israelite

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר18 of 24

“he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַבְנֵ֔ר19 of 24

“Abner”

H74

abner, an israelite

חֵֽי20 of 24

“liveth”

H2416

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

נַפְשְׁךָ֥21 of 24

“As thy soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ22 of 24

“O king”

H4428

a king

אִם23 of 24

“I cannot”

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

יָדָֽעְתִּי׃24 of 24

“tell”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

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 17:55 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 17:55 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 16:21-221 Samuel 17:58

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