1 Samuel 17 36

1 Samuel 17:36 kjv

Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

1 Samuel 17:36 nkjv

Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God."

1 Samuel 17:36 niv

Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God.

1 Samuel 17:36 esv

Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God."

1 Samuel 17:36 nlt

I have done this to both lions and bears, and I'll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God!

1 Samuel 17 verses

1 Samuel 17 36 Meaning

David states his proven ability to defeat dangerous adversaries, the lion and the bear, and confidently asserts that the Philistine giant, Goliath, will suffer the same fate. This conviction stems not from his own might, but from Goliath's direct defiance of the "armies of the living God," implying divine intervention and retribution are certain. It is a powerful declaration of faith in God's active presence and power, juxtaposed against human fear.

1 Samuel 17 36 Context

This verse is spoken by David to King Saul, shortly after Goliath has challenged the Israelite army for forty days. David, a young shepherd, has just arrived at the battlefront. Saul and all the Israelites are paralyzed by fear of the giant. David's brothers are critical of his presence. David, however, hears Goliath's blasphemous taunts against Israel's God and becomes indignant. He volunteers to fight Goliath, and Saul initially dismisses him due to his youth and lack of military training. David's response in verse 36 (and the preceding verses) serves as his testimony to convince Saul that God has prepared and equipped him for this seemingly impossible task. David presents his past divine empowerments as proof of God's continuing readiness to deliver. The historical context involves the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Philistines, the latter being a dominant power with superior weaponry. Goliath, a "champion" representing their pagan deities, directly mocked Israel's God, the "living God," turning the physical battle into a spiritual one.

1 Samuel 17 36 Word analysis

• "Your servant": ('eḇed - עֶבֶד).
  • Implies humility and submission to Saul, the king.
  • Also identifies David by his common status, underscoring the contrast with his extraordinary deeds.
  • Sets up the idea that God uses humble instruments.
• "has killed": (hiḳah - הִכָּה - Hifil perfect of nakah).
  • Means to strike decisively, to smite to death.
  • Emphasizes the completed, decisive action of bringing down both a lion and a bear. Not merely wounded or scared away.
• "both the lion and the bear":
  • Literal threats to sheep, requiring immense courage and strength.
  • Symbolize dangerous, formidable opponents that threaten the flock.
  • Show David's past encounters were deadly and victorious.
  • The pairing of these two fearsome predators enhances the magnitude of David's prior successes.
• "and this uncircumcised Philistine": ('arēl Pelištî - עָרֵל פְּלִשְׁתִּי).
  • "uncircumcised" ('arēl): A term of spiritual and cultural contempt in ancient Israel.
    • Denotes exclusion from the Abrahamic covenant with God.
    • Signifies impurity and an alien status to God's people.
    • Highlights Goliath's spiritual vulnerability, contrasting him with a covenant nation protected by God.
  • "Philistine": A hereditary enemy of Israel, consistently hostile and culturally pagan, often worshipping idols like Dagon.
• "will be like one of them":
  • Direct comparison of Goliath, a massive warrior, to the wild animals David has already vanquished.
  • Minimizes Goliath's human prowess and places him on the level of beasts vulnerable to God's intervention.
  • Foreshadows Goliath's inevitable defeat.
• "since he has defied": (ḥērēp - חֵרֵף - Hifil perfect of ḥārap).
  • Strong term meaning to taunt, reproach, blaspheme, revile, challenge directly.
  • Indicates Goliath's actions were not just military intimidation but a direct insult and blasphemy against God's honor.
  • This is the critical pivot point; Goliath’s transgression moved from an earthly challenge to a spiritual offense against the Divine.
• "the armies of the living God": (ma'arḵōwt ʾĕlōhîm ḥayyîm - מַעַרְכֹת אֱלֹהִים חַיִּים).
  • "armies" (ma'arḵōwt): Plural, refers to battle lines or ranks. Implies not just human soldiers, but God's full forces, including heavenly hosts.
  • "the living God": (ʾĕlōhîm ḥayyîm): A foundational biblical attribute of Yahweh.
    • Emphasizes God's active, dynamic, and existing nature, in stark contrast to the dead, impotent idols of the Philistines.
    • A polemic against polytheistic beliefs and inanimate deities.
    • Goliath defied a vibrant, active God who intervenes in human affairs, not a mere national deity.

1 Samuel 17 36 Bonus section

• This verse exemplifies how past faithfulness in "small" things prepares one for "great" things. David's pastoral duties provided unexpected training for national deliverance.
• David's perspective elevates the conflict beyond mere human warfare, transforming it into a battle for God's glory and reputation against those who would profane His name.
• The emphasis on "living God" implicitly mocks the Philistine gods (like Dagon) who were inanimate and powerless. This theological contrast provides strength to David's conviction.
• David understands that physical appearance and human might are insignificant when God is the ultimate power involved in a conflict.
• The courage demonstrated by David is not reckless, but divinely inspired and informed by personal history with God.

1 Samuel 17 36 Commentary

David's words in 1 Samuel 17:36 reveal a profound theology rooted in direct experience with God. His confidence against Goliath isn't naive bravado, but rather a robust faith built upon the demonstration of God's power in his life. The battles with the lion and the bear were God's preparation, proving His capacity to deliver against overwhelming odds. David views Goliath, despite his formidable stature, as merely another obstacle, easily overcome because his true enemy is not a giant but a God-defier. The term "uncircumcised Philistine" carries a weight of religious contempt, emphasizing Goliath's separation from God's covenant people and therefore his lack of divine protection. Crucially, David asserts that Goliath has defied not just Israel, but "the armies of the living God." This transforms the encounter from a physical duel to a holy war, guaranteeing God's involvement. It signifies that Goliath’s taunts have incurred divine wrath, making his downfall inevitable. David trusts that God, being a living and active God, will rise to defend His honor and His people.