1 Samuel 17:56
New International Version
The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.”

New Living Translation
“Well, find out who he is!” the king told him.

English Standard Version
And the king said, “Inquire whose son the boy is.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Find out whose son this young man is!” said the king.

King James Bible
And the king said, Inquire thou whose son the stripling is.

New King James Version
So the king said, “Inquire whose son this young man is.

New American Standard Bible
And the king said, “You then, ask whose son the youth is.”

NASB 1995
The king said, “You inquire whose son the youth is.”

NASB 1977
And the king said, “You inquire whose son the youth is.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And the king said, “You inquire whose son the youth is.”

Amplified Bible
The king said, “Ask whose son the young man is.”

Christian Standard Bible
The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is!”

American Standard Version
And the king said, Inquire thou whose son the stripling is.

Contemporary English Version
"Then find out!" Saul told him.

English Revised Version
And the king said, Inquire thou whose son the stripling is.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The king said, "Find out whose son this young man is."

Good News Translation
"Then go and find out," Saul ordered.

International Standard Version
The king replied, "Go find out whose son the young man is."

Majority Standard Bible
?Find out whose son this young man is!? said the king.

NET Bible
The king said, "Find out whose son this boy is!"

New Heart English Bible
The king said, "Inquire whose son that young man is."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the king said, Inquire thou whose son the stripling is.

World English Bible
The king said, “Inquire whose son the young man is!”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the king says, “Ask whose son this [is]—the young man.”

Young's Literal Translation
And the king saith, 'Ask thou whose son this is -- the young man.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king will say, Ask thou whose son this youth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the king said: Inquire thou, whose son this man is.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the king said, “You shall inquire as to whose son this boy may be.”

New American Bible
And the king said, “Find out whose son the lad is.”

New Revised Standard Version
The king said, “Inquire whose son the stripling is.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the king said, Inquire whose son this young man is.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the King said: “Ask whose son this young man is”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the king said: 'Inquire thou whose son the stripling is.'

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Slays Goliath
55As Saul had watched David going out to confront the Philistine, he said to Abner the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” “As surely as you live, O king,” Abner replied, “I do not know.” 56“Find out whose son this young man is!” said the king. 57So when David returned from killing the Philistine, still holding his head in his hand, Abner took him and brought him before Saul.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 16:12
So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.”

1 Samuel 16:18
One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a mighty man of valor, a warrior, eloquent and handsome, and the LORD is with him.”

1 Samuel 17:12-15
Now David was the son of a man named Jesse, an Ephrathite from Bethlehem of Judah who had eight sons. And in the days of Saul, Jesse was old and well along in years. / The three older sons of Jesse had followed Saul into battle: The firstborn was Eliab, the second was Abinadab, and the third was Shammah. / And David was the youngest. The three oldest had followed Saul, ...

1 Samuel 17:33
But Saul replied, “You cannot go out against this Philistine to fight him. You are just a boy, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”

1 Samuel 17:42
When the Philistine looked and saw David, he despised him because he was just a boy, ruddy and handsome.

1 Samuel 17:55
As Saul had watched David going out to confront the Philistine, he said to Abner the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” “As surely as you live, O king,” Abner replied, “I do not know.”

1 Samuel 18:5-7
So David marched out and prospered in everything Saul sent him to do, and Saul set him over the men of war. And this was pleasing in the sight of all the people, and of Saul’s officers as well. / As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other instruments. / And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”

1 Samuel 18:17-19
Then Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage. Only be valiant for me and fight the LORD’s battles.” But Saul was thinking, “I need not raise my hand against him; let the hand of the Philistines be against him.” / And David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my father’s clan in Israel, that I should become the son-in-law of the king?” / So when it was time to give Saul’s daughter Merab to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah.

1 Samuel 18:22-23
Then Saul ordered his servants, “Speak to David privately and tell him, ‘Behold, the king is pleased with you, and all his servants love you. Now therefore, become his son-in-law.’” / But when Saul’s servants relayed these words to David, he replied, “Does it seem trivial in your sight to be the son-in-law of the king? I am a poor man and lightly esteemed.”

1 Samuel 18:28-30
When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, / he grew even more afraid of David. So from then on Saul was David’s enemy. / Every time the Philistine commanders came out for battle, David was more successful than all of Saul’s officers, so that his name was highly esteemed.

1 Samuel 19:4-5
Then Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul and said to him, “The king should not sin against his servant David; he has not sinned against you. In fact, his actions have been highly beneficial to you. / He took his life in his hands when he struck down the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced, so why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?”

1 Samuel 20:30-31
Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you? / For as long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Now send for him and bring him to me, for he must surely die!”

1 Samuel 21:10-11
That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath. / But the servants of Achish said to him, “Is this not David, the king of the land? Did they not sing about him in their dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”

1 Samuel 22:9-10
But Doeg the Edomite, who had stationed himself with Saul’s servants, answered: “I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob. / Ahimelech inquired of the LORD for him and gave him provisions. He also gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”

1 Samuel 24:16-17
When David had finished saying these things, Saul called back, “Is that your voice, David my son?” Then Saul wept aloud / and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil.


Treasury of Scripture

And the king said, Inquire you whose son the stripling is.

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Inquire Search Young Youth
1 Samuel 17
1. The armies of the Israelites and Philistines being ready to battle
4. Goliath challenges a combat
12. David, sent by his father to visit his brothers, takes the challenge
28. Eliab chides him
30. He is brought to Saul
32. shows the reason of his confidence
38. and slays the giant
55. Saul takes notice of David














Find out whose son this young man is
Find out
The phrase "find out" indicates a directive to seek knowledge or information. In the Hebrew context, the verb used here is "שָׁאַל" (sha'al), which means to inquire or ask. This reflects a proactive pursuit of understanding, emphasizing the importance of knowing one's lineage and background in ancient Israelite society. It underscores the value placed on heritage and identity, which were crucial in determining one's role and status within the community.

whose son
This phrase highlights the significance of paternal lineage in the biblical narrative. In ancient Israel, a person's identity and social standing were often tied to their father's house. The inquiry about David's father is not merely about curiosity but about understanding David's place within the tribal and familial structures of Israel. This reflects the broader biblical theme of covenantal relationships, where family lines are integral to God's unfolding plan.

this young man
The term "young man" refers to David, who is described in the Hebrew text as "נַעַר" (na'ar), a term that can denote a boy, lad, or servant. This highlights David's youth and perhaps his perceived insignificance at this point in the narrative. Despite his young age, David's actions in the preceding verses demonstrate his faith and courage, foreshadowing his future role as a leader of Israel. This serves as a reminder that God often chooses the seemingly insignificant to accomplish His purposes.

is
The verb "is" in this context is a simple yet profound connector that ties the inquiry to the present reality. It suggests an immediacy and relevance to the question being asked. In the narrative, this inquiry sets the stage for David's introduction to King Saul and the beginning of his rise to prominence. It reflects the unfolding of God's providential plan, where each moment and detail is significant in the larger tapestry of His divine will.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Find out
שְׁאַ֣ל (šə·’al)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

whose
מִי־ (mî-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

this
זֶ֖ה (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

young man is!”
הָעָֽלֶם׃ (hā·‘ā·lem)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5958: Something kept out of sight, a lad

said
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

the king.
הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king


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OT History: 1 Samuel 17:56 The king said Inquire whose son (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 17:55
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