King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 17:58 Mean?

1 Samuel 17:58 in the King James Version says “And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Beth... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.

1 Samuel 17:58 · KJV


Context

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.

58

And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Beth-lehemite.

David's answer 'I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Beth-lehemite' combines humility with clarity. He identifies himself through his father - the customary form of introduction - while using the deferential 'thy servant.' Bethlehem's mention carries prophetic weight: this small town would produce Israel's greatest king and, ultimately, the Messiah (Micah 5:2). David's humble origins from a servant family in an insignificant town became the foundation for God's redemptive purposes. The exchange formally establishes David's identity at the precise moment his public destiny begins - the shepherd boy from Bethlehem now stands before the king whose throne he will inherit.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Identification by father's name and hometown was standard ancient practice, establishing family reputation and tribal affiliation. Bethlehem was a small agricultural town in Judah's territory, far from the centers of power. Jesse's designation as 'thy servant' indicates his lower social status relative to royalty.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does David's humble self-identification model appropriate humility even in moments of great achievement?
  2. What significance do you see in Bethlehem's role in producing both David and, later, Jesus?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 14

answered

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָיו֙2 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שָׁא֔וּל3 of 14

And Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

בֶּֽן4 of 14

I am the 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

מִ֥י5 of 14
H4310

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

אַתָּ֖ה6 of 14
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

הַנָּ֑עַר7 of 14

art thou thou young man

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

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר8 of 14

answered

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

דָּוִ֔ד9 of 14

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

בֶּֽן10 of 14

I am the 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

עַבְדְּךָ֥11 of 14

of thy servant

H5650

a servant

יִשַׁ֖י12 of 14

Jesse

H3448

jishai, david's father

בֵּ֥ית13 of 14
H0
הַלַּחְמִֽי׃14 of 14

the Bethlehemite

H1022

a beth-lechemite, or native of bethlechem


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 17:58 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 17:58 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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