1 Samuel 17 23

1 Samuel 17:23 kjv

And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.

1 Samuel 17:23 nkjv

Then as he talked with them, there was the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, coming up from the armies of the Philistines; and he spoke according to the same words. So David heard them.

1 Samuel 17:23 niv

As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it.

1 Samuel 17:23 esv

As he talked with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him.

1 Samuel 17:23 nlt

As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, came out from the Philistine ranks. Then David heard him shout his usual taunt to the army of Israel.

1 Samuel 17 verses

1 Samuel 17 23 Meaning

This verse marks the precise moment David, newly arrived at the battle lines, personally witnesses and hears Goliath's daily, defiant challenge to the armies of Israel. It serves as the dramatic turning point, juxtaposing the intimidating reality of the Philistine champion against the unexpected presence of the young shepherd, thereby setting the stage for their legendary confrontation. Goliath's renewed boasting emphasizes the Philistines' overconfidence and Israel's continued humiliation.

1 Samuel 17 23 Context

This verse is embedded within the longer narrative of David and Goliath, specifically in 1 Samuel chapter 17. For 40 days, the Philistine champion Goliath has been presenting a daily challenge for single combat to the Israelite army, who, along with their king Saul, are paralyzed by fear. The scene opens with Israel and Philistia arrayed in battle lines. David has been sent by his father Jesse to deliver food to his brothers and their commander at the battlefield. As David engages in casual conversation with his siblings and other soldiers, Goliath appears for his routine, but now momentous, defiant taunt. The historical context reflects the perennial conflict between Israel and the Philistines, a maritime people who had established themselves along the coast of Canaan and often clashed with the emerging Israelite monarchy. Single combat was a recognized practice in ancient warfare to minimize overall casualties. Goliath’s challenge, however, went beyond a military tactic; it was a direct verbal assault and blasphemy against the God of Israel, whom he mocked. The chapter presents a clear contrast between human might and fear versus God's sovereign power revealed through His humble servant.

1 Samuel 17 23 Word analysis

• As he talked: Implies David's routine, normal activity immediately preceding the extraordinary event. It highlights the sudden, dramatic shift from the mundane to the miraculous.
• with them: Referring to his brothers and potentially others gathered at the Israelite battle line.
• behold (Hebrew: הִנֵּה, hinneh): An interjection signaling surprise, emphasis, or immediate attention. It acts as a dramatic cue, drawing the reader's focus to the sudden and significant appearance of Goliath.
• the champion (Hebrew: אִישׁ־הַבֵּנַיִם, ish-habbenayim): Literally "man of the two intermediates" or "man of the middle." This refers to a duelist who stands between the two armies, chosen to represent his entire army in single combat. It signifies his designated role and immense responsibility, as well as his physical prominence and strategic position.
• the Philistine: Identifies his national origin. The Philistines were Israel's persistent enemies, frequently oppressing them.
• of Gath: Specifies his city of origin, one of the five major Philistine cities, known to be a center of giant lineage (cf. 2 Sam 21:19-22). This adds to Goliath's formidable reputation.
• Goliath by name (Hebrew: גָּלְיָת שְׁמוֹ, Golyat shemow): Provides his individual proper noun, emphasizing his specific and widely known identity. The name Goliath, potentially meaning "exile" or "splendor," reinforces his perceived power and alien nature to Israel.
• came up from the ranks (Hebrew: וַיַּעַל מֵהַמַּעֲרָכוֹת, wayya‘al mehammʽarakhot): Literally "he went up from the battle arrays." This indicates his deliberate emergence from his army's formation, ascending to the raised ground of the valley for his challenge. It portrays a public, dramatic, and intimidating display of power and defiance. "Ranks" signifies the ordered military formation.
• of the Philistines: Reconfirms the army he represents.
• and spoke the same words as before (Hebrew: וַיְדַבֵּר כַּדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה, waydabber kaddĕbarim ha'elleh): Highlights the repetition of his challenge, which Israel had heard for 40 days without response (v.16). This emphasizes the ongoing nature of the taunt and Israel's continued fear and humiliation, setting up the urgent need for a response. The "words" (דְּבָרִים, d'varim) are crucial, representing blasphemy and direct affront to God's chosen people.
• and David heard them: This is the pivotal point. Unlike others who had heard these words for 40 days and grown accustomed to their demoralizing effect, David's "hearing" is profound. It signifies not just auditory perception but spiritual discernment and conviction, prompting him to understand the gravity of the blasphemy and to respond with righteous indignation and faith. This marks his immediate and personal engagement with the challenge.

• "behold, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name": This phrase rapidly identifies and characterizes the immense threat. The emphatic "behold" underscores his sudden appearance and overwhelming presence, while his titles reinforce his formidable physical and strategic role. It sets up the immediate dramatic conflict.
• "came up from the ranks of the Philistines and spoke the same words as before": This grouping illustrates Goliath's routine but still intimidating performance. His emergence signifies a formal challenge, and the repetition of his blasphemous words highlights Israel's prolonged suffering and their army's helplessness, intensifying the perceived affront to God.
• "and David heard them": This short, concluding phrase shifts the focus entirely to David. His "hearing" is key; it implies active listening, comprehension of the words' full implication—especially the direct defiance of God—and ultimately a catalyst for action, transforming him from an observer into the chosen deliverer.

1 Samuel 17 23 Bonus section

• The number forty (40) is significant in biblical narrative, often symbolizing a period of testing, preparation, or judgment (e.g., 40 days of rain in Noah's flood, 40 years in the wilderness, 40 days of Jesus' temptation). Here, the 40 days of Goliath's challenge highlight Israel's prolonged spiritual and military paralysis, making David's timely arrival and intervention even more pronounced as an act of divine timing.
• Goliath, as the champion, was chosen by the Philistines not only for his physical prowess but likely also as a figurehead to psychologically break the Israelites through sustained taunting and implied invincibility. His repeated challenges were a form of psychological warfare.
• David's status as a "youth" who had "come up from the sheep" (v. 28) immediately prior to hearing this, emphasizes God's consistent pattern of using the weak and unassuming to confound the strong and arrogant. This highlights that victory does not depend on human strength or stature but on the power and purpose of the Almighty God.
• This moment symbolizes the larger spiritual conflict between the kingdoms of darkness and the Kingdom of God. Goliath, representing the prideful, seemingly insurmountable forces of the world, openly defies God, while David, seemingly insignificant, represents faith and obedience to God, chosen to bring His victory.

1 Samuel 17 23 Commentary

This verse is a crucial turning point in the narrative of David and Goliath. It establishes the personal connection between David, the unassuming shepherd boy, and Goliath, the Philistine embodiment of human might and blasphemy. Goliath's repetitive, defiant challenge, having already demoralized the entire Israelite army for 40 days, now falls directly upon David's ears. For David, this is not just another taunt but a direct insult to the living God and His covenant people. Goliath's grand emergence from the battle lines signifies his formidable presence and the public nature of his taunt, demanding a champion from Israel. The impact of Goliath's words on David is immediate and transformative; it ignites David's righteous indignation and resolute faith, contrasting sharply with the fear and inaction of Saul and the Israelite army. This moment sets the stage for the triumph of God's power through an unexpected, humble instrument.