King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 17:7 Mean?

1 Samuel 17:7 in the King James Version says “And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one b...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him.”

1 Samuel 17:7 · KJV

Context

5

And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass. armed: Heb. clothed

6

And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders. target: or, gorget

7

And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him.

8

And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.

9

If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before 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 · 14 words
וְחֵ֣ץ1 of 14
H2671

properly, a piercer, i.e., an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of god) thunder-bolt; the shaft of a spear

חֲנִית֔וֹ2 of 14

“and his spear's”

H2595

a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent)

כִּמְנוֹר֙3 of 14

“beam”

H4500

a yoke (properly, for plowing), i.e., the frame of a loom

אֹֽרְגִ֔ים4 of 14

“was like a weaver's”

H707

to plait or weave

וְלַהֶ֣בֶת5 of 14

“head”

H3852

flame

חֲנִית֔וֹ6 of 14

“and his spear's”

H2595

a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent)

שֵׁשׁ7 of 14

“weighed six”

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

מֵא֥וֹת8 of 14

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

שְׁקָלִ֖ים9 of 14

“shekels”

H8255

probably a weight; used as a commercial standard

בַּרְזֶ֑ל10 of 14

“of iron”

H1270

iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement

וְנֹשֵׂ֥א11 of 14

“and one bearing”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

הַצִּנָּ֖ה12 of 14

“a shield”

H6793

a (large) shield (as if guarding by prickliness)

הֹלֵ֥ךְ13 of 14

“went”

H1980

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

לְפָנָֽיו׃14 of 14

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

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 17:7 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 17:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 21:191 Samuel 17:411 Chronicles 11:231 Chronicles 20:5

Test Your Knowledge

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

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