1 Samuel 17 27

1 Samuel 17:27 kjv

And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.

1 Samuel 17:27 nkjv

And the people answered him in this manner, saying, "So shall it be done for the man who kills him."

1 Samuel 17:27 niv

They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, "This is what will be done for the man who kills him."

1 Samuel 17:27 esv

And the people answered him in the same way, "So shall it be done to the man who kills him."

1 Samuel 17:27 nlt

And these men gave David the same reply. They said, "Yes, that is the reward for killing him."

1 Samuel 17 verses

1 Samuel 17 27 Meaning

This verse confirms the widely known and specific promises King Saul had offered to anyone who would defeat the Philistine champion, Goliath. Upon David's inquiry, the people surrounding him affirmed that the stated rewards – great wealth, marriage to the king's daughter, and exemption from taxes for his father's house in Israel – would indeed be given to the man who achieved this monumental feat. It underscores that the king's offer was public, credible, and readily confirmed by the bystanders.

1 Samuel 17 27 Context

This verse is part of the pivotal account of David and Goliath. The Philistine army, including their champion Goliath, has defied Israel and the living God for forty days, with no Israelite warrior daring to accept the challenge. King Saul had proclaimed an extraordinary reward for anyone who could defeat Goliath, signaling the king's desperation and the gravity of the situation. David, a young shepherd boy, arrives at the battlefront bringing provisions to his brothers and observes the taunts and the fear gripping the Israelite army. Indignant at Goliath's blasphemy against the armies of God, David inquires about the specifics of the king's promised reward, which the people around him then reiterate in this verse. This conversation reveals David's initial interest in the clear terms of the challenge, ensuring he understands the tangible stakes involved, though his ultimate motivation stemmed from zeal for God's honor. Historically, the Philistines were formidable enemies of Israel during the period of the early monarchy, often out-manning and out-weaponing them, making Goliath's defeat a monumental moment for national morale and for establishing God's sovereignty over the strength of pagan foes.

1 Samuel 17 27 Word analysis

• And the people: (Hebrew: וַיַּעֲנוּ אֹתוֹ הָעָם, vayyaʿanu oto haʿam) Refers to the collective body of Israelite men gathered around, likely soldiers or camp followers, confirming that David's question (v. 26) was addressed to a group and that the king's proclamation was common knowledge. This highlights the public and confirmed nature of the promised reward.
• answered him: This indicates a direct response to David's query. David wasn't merely speculating; he was seeking verification of publicly stated terms.
• after this manner: (Hebrew: כַּדָּבָר הַזֶּה, kaddavar hazzeh - literally "according to this word/matter") Implies that their answer was not new information but a reconfirmation or affirmation of what had already been stated, likely King Saul's specific, publicly declared promise as noted in 1 Sam 17:25. It underscores the precision and validity of the information David received.
• saying: (Hebrew: לֵאמֹר, le’mor) A standard introductory particle in Hebrew for direct speech.
• So shall it be done: (Hebrew: כֵּן יֵעָשֶׂה, ken yeʿaseh - literally "thus it will be done") This is a strong affirmative phrase, removing all doubt regarding the certainty and official backing of the promised reward. The passive construction emphasizes that the implementation of the promise is assured by the king's authority.
• to the man: (Hebrew: לָאִישׁ, la'ish) Denotes universality; the reward was available to any man, not restricted by rank or standing, who would fulfill the condition. This highlights that David, despite his youth and low standing, legitimately qualified for the promise.
• that killeth him: (Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר יַכֶּנּוּ, asher yakennu) The root verb nakah (נָכָה) can mean "to strike, smite, kill, defeat." In this context, it unequivocally implies to kill, given the mortal combat with Goliath. This specifies the exact requirement for obtaining the promised recompense.

Words-group analysis:

• "And the people answered him after this manner, saying": This phrase demonstrates the reliability and public acceptance of the terms. David sought clarification, and the collective voice of the Israelites affirmed the truth of Saul's extraordinary offer, giving full legitimacy to David's inquiry and subsequent action. It confirms David's intelligence in confirming the details of the engagement.
• "So shall it be done to the man that killeth him": This conclusive statement functions as an official reconfirmation of the staggering reward. It clarifies the binding nature of the king's oath and assures David (and any listener) that the one who defeats Goliath will undeniably receive these promised benefits. The emphasis is on the certainty and implementation of the pledge.

1 Samuel 17 27 Bonus section

• The Weight of the Promise: The promise of royal marriage and tax exemption for an entire family was highly unusual and demonstrates the gravity of the national crisis. Such benefits were normally reserved for the closest members of royalty or for extreme acts of service to the crown, signifying the extraordinary cost of Goliath's defeat.
• Polemics against Idols: While not directly stated in this verse, the entire confrontation is an indirect polemic against the Philistine god Dagon, and other pagan deities, whose power was presumed to be embodied in their champion, Goliath. David, by confirming the material rewards for an act performed for the "living God," tacitly implies that the victory would prove the supremacy of the God of Israel over the impotent gods of the Philistines.
• Foreshadowing of Christ: In a broader biblical theological sense, David, who inquires about and then acts upon a promise of profound reward for delivering his people, can be seen as a foreshadowing figure for Christ. Jesus willingly "faced the giant" of sin and death, knowing the "reward" of redeeming His people and being seated at the right hand of God. The church, as the bride of Christ, and spiritual riches, could be seen as ultimate "rewards" for His finished work.

1 Samuel 17 27 Commentary

1 Samuel 17:27 is a critical point where David ascertains the details of the king's challenge, receiving affirmation directly from those who knew. This short declaration is not about David's greed but his strategic confirmation of the significant public commitment Saul had made. It shows David as deliberate and not simply impulsive; he confirms the reality of the incentives before stepping forward. The extraordinary nature of the rewards (wealth, royal marriage, tax exemption) reflects the extreme desperation of Saul and Israel. Yet, while confirming these benefits, David's core motivation, as revealed in verse 26, remained the vindication of God's honor, not personal gain. The people's unified answer underscores the broad public knowledge of Saul's promise, cementing the legitimacy of David's later claim to these unprecedented royal benefits.