1 Samuel 17 31

1 Samuel 17:31 kjv

And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him.

1 Samuel 17:31 nkjv

Now when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul; and he sent for him.

1 Samuel 17:31 niv

What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him.

1 Samuel 17:31 esv

When the words that David spoke were heard, they repeated them before Saul, and he sent for him.

1 Samuel 17:31 nlt

Then David's question was reported to King Saul, and the king sent for him.

1 Samuel 17 verses

1 Samuel 17 31 Meaning

This pivotal verse marks a significant turn in the narrative, illustrating how David's divinely inspired words, previously expressed amidst soldiers and family, reached King Saul. When David's resolute declaration and indignation against Goliath were heard, the listeners quickly relayed them to the king. In response, Saul sent for David, setting in motion the direct confrontation between David and Goliath, orchestrated by divine providence. It highlights the principle that words spoken in faith and courage, even if seemingly small or privately uttered, can have far-reaching, divinely appointed consequences.

1 Samuel 17 31 Context

Verse 31 falls within the monumental chapter of 1 Samuel 17, which describes the epic confrontation between David and Goliath. Prior to this verse, the Philistine champion Goliath had daily defied the Israelite army for forty days, instilling immense fear in King Saul and his men. David, a young shepherd, arrives at the battle lines to bring supplies to his brothers and hear from them. Upon hearing Goliath's taunts, David is outraged by the blasphemy against the living God. He expresses his indignation and faith that God can deliver Israel, referencing his past victories against lions and bears while tending sheep. This conversation, where David demonstrates an uncommon spiritual perspective and courage, is overheard by others who then convey his audacious words to the fearful king. The historical context includes the nascent monarchy of Israel under Saul, still struggling with leadership and reliance on God, and the perpetual conflict with the Philistines who were technologically and militarily superior at this time, posing a significant threat to Israel's national identity and faith.

1 Samuel 17 31 Word analysis

• And when the words: (וַיִּשָּׁמְע֤וּ הַדְּבָרִים֙ - Vayyishshemʿû haddebarim).
  • וַיִּשָּׁמְע֤וּ (Vayyishshemʿû): Derived from שָׁמַע (shama), meaning "to hear, to listen, to understand." The form suggests "they were heard" or "it was heard," indicating that David's specific words were not private but registered by those around him. This verb carries weight, implying more than casual overhearing—it means to pay attention and grasp the significance.
  • הַדְּבָרִים֙ (haddebarim): The definite article "the" indicates specific "words." This is not just any talk, but the strong, faith-filled declarations David had made concerning Goliath and God's honor (vv. 26-27). These "words" represent David's spiritual resolve and challenge to the status quo of fear.
• were heard: (See Vayyishshemʿû above). This emphasizes the reception and impact of David's speech. The fact that they were "heard" implies attentiveness and understanding of their audacious nature in contrast to the prevailing fear.
• which David spake: (אֲשֶׁ֤ר דִּבֶּר־דָּוִד֙ - ʾasher dibber-Dāvīd).
  • דִּבֶּר־דָּוִד֙ (dibber-Dāvīd): Derived from דָּבַר (davar), meaning "to speak, declare, converse." It specifies David as the source. His words carried authority due to the conviction and spiritual insight behind them. The focus is on David's active declaration.
• they rehearsed them before Saul: (וַיַּגִּ֥דוּ לְשָׁא֖וּל - vayyaggidu leShā’ūl).
  • וַיַּגִּ֥דוּ (vayyaggidu): From נָגַד (nagad), "to tell, report, declare." It denotes a formal reporting or conveying of information to a superior. This isn't gossip, but a significant communication. It implies urgency and importance on the part of those who reported.
  • לְשָׁא֖וּל (leShā’ūl): "To Saul." The specific audience, King Saul, highlights the crucial turning point. Saul's authority and fear are central to the chapter's conflict. This transfer of information is divinely orchestrated to bring David before the king.
• and he sent for him: (וַיִּשְׁלַ֥ח אֵלָֽיו׃ - vayyishlach ’ēlāw).
  • וַיִּשְׁלַ֥ח (vayyishlach): From שָׁלַח (shalach), meaning "to send, stretch out." It implies a direct command or action from Saul, demonstrating his immediate interest or curiosity aroused by the report. The king, desperate for a solution, takes note of an unusual voice of defiance.
  • אֵלָֽיו׃ (’ēlāw): "To him," referring to David. This indicates the initiation of direct contact, bringing David out of obscurity and into the royal presence, preparing him for his destined role.

Words-group analysis:

• "And when the words were heard which David spake": This phrase underscores the potency of David's declarations. His words were not idle chatter but resonated with conviction, drawing attention and recognition of their unique character. It emphasizes the active listening and internalizing of what David said about God and Goliath.
• "they rehearsed them before Saul": This is the critical transition. It highlights the mechanism through which divine providence moves David from the periphery to the center stage. The reporting signifies the validation and seriousness with which David's words were perceived by others, overcoming the barrier of his youth and common status. This action serves as an intentional transmission of extraordinary information to the highest authority, implying hope or a last resort for the desperate king.
• "and he sent for him": This action demonstrates the direct consequence of David's bold statements being reported. Saul's response reveals his urgent need for a solution and his recognition of the unusual nature of David's words. It is God working through circumstances to bring David into his appointed destiny as the champion for Israel. This is not a casual invitation but a summons, indicating a perceived importance of David's words, perhaps offering a glimmer of hope where all else had failed.

1 Samuel 17 31 Bonus section

The speed with which David's words were "rehearsed" before Saul suggests either a desensitized state among the fearful Israelites where any glimmer of hope was magnified, or a true sense of shock and desperation that something so extraordinary must reach the king. This swift relay of information can be seen as an immediate fruit of David's courage, where faith, when voiced, can galvanize even those gripped by fear. It showcases the "domino effect" of one person's steadfast conviction in a dispirited environment. The event also indirectly sets up a future dynamic between Saul and David; from this initial summons based on David's powerful words, their relationship will evolve into a complex mix of admiration, suspicion, and ultimately, Saul's profound jealousy and attempts on David's life. The beginning, however, is pure opportunity, engineered by God's plan.

1 Samuel 17 31 Commentary

1 Samuel 17:31 functions as a pivotal moment, transforming David's righteous indignation into a royal summons. It underscores the powerful impact of words saturated with faith, especially when all others are paralyzed by fear. David's declarations were not born of youthful bravado but deep spiritual conviction, rooted in his understanding of God's character and covenant with Israel. This verse signifies the critical bridge between David's private convictions (vv. 26-30) and his public divine appointment (vv. 32ff.). The chain of events—David speaking, men hearing, reporting to the king, and the king sending for him—illustrates divine orchestration, moving an obscure shepherd boy to confront the nation's greatest threat. It serves as a powerful reminder that God uses human speech, infused with faith, as a catalyst for His redemptive purposes, bringing the hidden and humble to prominence for His glory. Even seemingly insignificant individuals can, through words aligned with God's truth, initiate monumental changes that deliver entire communities.