1 Samuel 17 35

1 Samuel 17:35 kjv

And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.

1 Samuel 17:35 nkjv

I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it.

1 Samuel 17:35 niv

I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it.

1 Samuel 17:35 esv

I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him.

1 Samuel 17:35 nlt

I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death.

1 Samuel 17 verses

1 Samuel 17 35 Meaning

David recounted his past exploits of courage and divine deliverance to King Saul, describing how he fearlessly pursued, engaged, and defeated a lion and a bear that had attacked his flock. He rescued the vulnerable lambs from their powerful jaws and, when these predators subsequently turned on him, he decisively seized them and killed them. This account served as a testament to his reliance on God’s protective hand and empowering strength, which in turn fostered his unwavering conviction that the same God would grant him victory over Goliath.

1 Samuel 17 35 Context

1 Samuel Chapter 17 details the epic confrontation between Israel and the Philistines in the Valley of Elah, highlighted by the challenge issued by Goliath, a giant Philistine champion. For forty days, Goliath defied the armies of Israel, spreading fear and paralyzing their resolve. King Saul and the entire Israelite army were gripped by dread. David, a young shepherd boy who had been anointed by Samuel but not yet revealed as king, came to the battlefield to bring provisions to his brothers. Upon hearing Goliath's taunts and witnessing Israel's terror, David, empowered by his faith in the living God, volunteered to fight the giant. Verse 35 is part of David's testimony to King Saul, explaining why he, an untrained youth, was confident he could face and defeat Goliath, contrasting with Saul's fear and the army's paralysis.

1 Samuel 17 35 Word analysis

• and I went out after him: Hebrew: `וַיָּקָם` (va-yakom) `אַחֲרָיו` (acharav), though the `ויקם` (he rose up) applies to the lion/bear, while `וָצָאתִי` (vatzati) is "and I went out" and `אַחֲרָיו` (acharav) means "after him". This signifies an active, relentless pursuit, not merely a defensive stand. David didn't wait; he pursued the threat to retrieve his sheep, demonstrating a shepherd's deep commitment to his flock. This aggressive stance is atypical for a youth but illustrates divine empowerment and an inherent, protective nature.
• and struck him down: Hebrew: `וְהִכֵּתִיו` (vehikketiv), meaning "and I struck/hit him." This indicates a direct, forceful confrontation. The verb `נָכָה` (nakah) implies striking with intent and often results in death or injury. It shows David's physical action and engagement in a life-or-death struggle.
• and rescued it: Hebrew: `וְהִצַּלְתִּיו` (vehitzzaltiv), meaning "and I delivered/rescued it." This highlights the primary objective: saving the lamb from the predator's mouth. The root `נצל` (natzal) often carries the connotation of pulling or snatching away, implying immediate danger and a swift act of deliverance. This act underscores David's responsibility and success as a shepherd, reflecting his later role as rescuer of Israel.
• from his mouth: The specific detail of "mouth" (`פֶּה` - peh) emphasizes the immediacy of the threat and the near-fatal grasp of the predator. The lamb was literally in the jaws of death, making David's intervention profoundly dramatic and urgent.
• and when he rose up against me: Hebrew: `וַיָּקָם` (vayakom) `עָלַי` (alai). The predator's second action, directly attacking David after its initial prey was snatched away. This shows the ferocity and persistence of the threat. David's survival of this direct confrontation further illustrates his prowess and God's protection.
• I caught him by his beard: Hebrew: `וְהֶחֱזַקְתִּי` (vehehezakti) `בִּזְקָנוֹ` (bizqano). "Caught him" comes from `חָזַק` (hazak), meaning "to grasp firmly," "to seize," "to be strong." "Beard" (`זָקָן` - zaqan) in the context of a beast (especially a lion or bear which don't have true "beards") likely refers to its mane or the fur around its head/neck, indicating a grip that controls the head, effectively immobilizing the most dangerous part of the animal. This is an incredibly audacious and dangerous maneuver, demonstrating extraordinary courage, agility, and perhaps God-given strength, asserting dominance over the formidable beast.
• and struck him down and killed him: Hebrew: `וְהִכֵּתִיו` (vehikketiv) `וַהֲמִיתִּיהוּ` (vahamilttihu). A decisive, conclusive act. `הָמִית` (hamit) means "to put to death," "to kill." This confirms the utter defeat of the predator, ensuring no further threat to the flock or David himself. It reflects his capability to overcome formidable adversaries definitively.

• "I went out after him... rescued it from his mouth": This phrase highlights David's proactive, self-sacrificial pursuit for the protection of his vulnerable flock. It reveals his pastoral heart, willingness to confront danger head-on, and successful delivery of those under his care from imminent destruction. This acts as a prelude to his role as Israel's shepherd and deliverer from Goliath.
• "when he rose up against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him down and killed him": This progression demonstrates David's superior resolve and divinely-empowered ability to not only defend but utterly conquer his attacker. The intimate and dangerous act of seizing the predator by its "beard" symbolizes gaining complete control over an overwhelming threat. It speaks to a level of courage and skill that far exceeds a typical shepherd boy, setting the stage for facing an even greater "beast" in Goliath. This is not mere self-defense, but total victory.

1 Samuel 17 35 Bonus section

This incident involving the lion and the bear serves as a direct parallel and prophetic foreshadowing of David's confrontation with Goliath. The predators (lion and bear) represent the formidable "uncircumcised Philistine," while the endangered lamb represents Israel, God's flock. David, the shepherd, acts as the protector and deliverer. The fight is not about human strength but about the living God's power at work through a chosen instrument. The detailed description of how David "struck him down" and "killed him" emphasizes the completeness of his victories, indicating that the defeat of Goliath would be equally decisive. This experience solidified David's faith, illustrating that God does not merely protect from danger, but enables His chosen ones to utterly defeat the instruments of evil. Furthermore, it highlights a recurring biblical theme: God chooses the weak and unassuming to accomplish mighty feats, demonstrating that the glory belongs to Him alone, challenging human reliance on military might or physical prowess.

1 Samuel 17 35 Commentary

This verse is David's powerful and personal testimony, revealing the deep faith and divine training that shaped him. Far from a mere anecdote, it underscores his foundational understanding of God as his deliverer and source of strength. His repeated acts of defending his sheep from lions and bears were not isolated incidents of bravery but God's providential preparation for the much larger task of delivering Israel from the Philistines. David didn't fight these animals out of recklessness, but out of a shepherd's devoted responsibility to his master's flock. Each successful encounter, though terrifying, built his spiritual muscle and deepened his reliance on the unseen hand of God. His recounting of seizing the beast "by its beard" highlights his audacious faith – not his own physical might alone – that allowed him to subdue such fierce predators. This divinely-empowered past served as the concrete evidence and internal assurance for David that the God who delivered him from the lion and the bear would also deliver him from the hand of Goliath. It's a testament to God using humble, ordinary tasks to train individuals for extraordinary, kingdom-shaping purposes.

• Example: A believer facing a formidable professional challenge might reflect on how God empowered them through smaller, prior challenges, giving them confidence to tackle the current difficulty with faith.
• Example: When struggling with a persistent sin, a Christian can remember past victories over other temptations, drawing on God's proven faithfulness and strength to overcome.