And as he was speaking with them, suddenly the champion named Goliath, the Philistine from Gath, came forward from the Philistines and shouted his usual words, which David also heard. And as he was speaking with themThis phrase sets the scene for a pivotal moment in the narrative. David, the youngest son of Jesse, is speaking with his brothers who are part of Saul's army. The Hebrew root for "speaking" (דָּבַר, dabar) often implies not just casual conversation but purposeful communication. David's presence and dialogue with his brothers highlight his role as a messenger and future leader. This moment foreshadows the divine orchestration of events, where God uses ordinary interactions to set the stage for extraordinary acts. behold, the champion named Goliath
The word "behold" (הִנֵּה, hinneh) is a call to attention, urging the reader to focus on the significance of what follows. Goliath is described as a "champion" (אִישׁ הַבֵּנַיִם, ish ha-benayim), a term that denotes a warrior who stands between two armies, representing the might and challenge of the Philistines. Goliath's name itself, meaning "exile" or "sojourner," may symbolize the spiritual and physical opposition Israel faces. This introduction of Goliath sets up the classic confrontation between good and evil, faith and fear. the Philistine from Gath
Gath was one of the five principal cities of the Philistines, known for its formidable warriors. Archaeological findings suggest Gath was a significant urban center, reinforcing the historical credibility of the narrative. The Philistines were a constant threat to Israel, representing the pagan cultures that opposed the worship of Yahweh. Goliath, as a Philistine, embodies this opposition, challenging not just Israel's military might but their faith in God. was coming up from the battle line
The imagery of Goliath "coming up" (עָלָה, alah) from the battle line suggests a menacing advance, a physical and psychological intimidation. The battle line represents the boundary between conflict and peace, fear and faith. Goliath's approach is a direct challenge to Israel's courage and trust in God. This movement signifies the encroaching threat of evil that seeks to dominate and demoralize God's people. shouting his usual defiance
Goliath's "shouting" (קָרָא, qara) is more than just noise; it is a proclamation of defiance and blasphemy against the God of Israel. His "usual defiance" indicates a repeated, arrogant challenge, underscoring the persistent nature of evil. This defiance is not just against Israel but against God Himself, setting the stage for a divine intervention. The narrative emphasizes the futility of human pride against divine power. and David heard it
The simple act of David "hearing" (שָׁמַע, shama) is profound. In Hebrew culture, hearing implies understanding and readiness to act. David's response to Goliath's defiance is pivotal; it marks the beginning of his journey from shepherd to king. This moment signifies the awakening of David's divine calling, as he perceives the spiritual battle at hand. David's hearing contrasts with the fear of the Israelite army, highlighting his faith and courage. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidA young shepherd, the youngest son of Jesse, who later becomes the king of Israel. At this point, he is visiting his brothers on the battlefield. 2. GoliathA giant Philistine warrior from Gath, known for his immense size and strength, who challenges the Israelites to send a champion to fight him. 3. PhilistinesA group of people who were enemies of Israel, often at war with them during this period. 4. IsraelitesThe people of Israel, God's chosen nation, who are at war with the Philistines. 5. The BattlefieldThe setting of this encounter, where the armies of Israel and the Philistines are encamped against each other. Teaching Points Courage in FaithDavid's willingness to face Goliath demonstrates a profound trust in God. Believers are encouraged to face their own "giants" with faith, knowing that God is with them. God's SovereigntyThe encounter highlights God's control over the situation. Despite Goliath's intimidating presence, God has already chosen David for a greater purpose. Listening to God's CallDavid hears Goliath's challenge and is moved to action. Christians are called to be attentive to God's voice and respond to His call in their lives. Spiritual WarfareThe battle is not just physical but spiritual. Believers are reminded to equip themselves with spiritual armor and rely on God's strength. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's reaction to Goliath's challenge reflect his faith in God, and how can we apply this to our own challenges today? 2. In what ways does the account of David and Goliath illustrate the concept of spiritual warfare, and how can Ephesians 6:10-18 help us prepare for our own battles? 3. How does understanding David's anointing in 1 Samuel 16 provide insight into his confidence and actions in 1 Samuel 17:23? 4. What "giants" are you currently facing in your life, and how can you rely on God's strength to overcome them? 5. How can Psalm 23 serve as a source of encouragement and strength when facing difficult situations, similar to David's encounter with Goliath? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 16Provides background on David's anointing by Samuel, indicating God's choice of David as king, which sets the stage for his future actions and faith. Ephesians 6:10-18Discusses the armor of God, which can be related to David's spiritual preparation and reliance on God rather than physical armor. Psalm 23Written by David, reflecting his deep trust in God, which is evident in his courage to face Goliath. People Abinadab, Abner, David, Elah, Eliab, Ephah, Goliath, Israelites, Jesse, Saul, ShammahPlaces Azekah, Bethlehem, Ekron, Ephes-dammim, Gath, Jerusalem, Shaaraim, Socoh, Valley of ElahTopics Armies, Army, Behold, Champion, David, David's, Defiance, Duellists, Fighter, Gath, Goliath, Heareth, Hearing, Lines, Named, Philistine, Philistines, Ranks, Shouted, Spake, Speaketh, Speaking, Spoke, Stepped, Talked, Talking, UsualDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 17:23 5829 defiance 1 Samuel 17:17-26 5086 David, rise of 1 Samuel 17:20-51 5658 boys 1 Samuel 17:23-25 5501 reward, human 1 Samuel 17:23-26 5836 disgrace Library The victory of Unarmed Faith
'And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. 33. And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. 34. And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock; 35. And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureApril the Thirtieth the Test of victory
"David behaveth himself wisely." --1 SAMUEL xvii. 55--xviii. 5. The hour of victory is a more severe moral test than the hour of defeat. Many a man can brave the perils of adversity who succumbs to the seductions of prosperity. He can stand the cold better than the heat! He is enriched by failure, but "spoilt by success." To test the real quality of a man, let us regard him just when he has slain Goliath! "David behaved himself wisely"! He was not "eaten up with pride." He developed no "side." …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year April the Twenty-Ninth the Mood of Triumph
"I come to thee in the name of the Lord of Hosts." --1 SAMUEL xvii. 38-54. The man who comes up to his foes with this assurance will fight and win. Reasonable confidence is one of the most important weapons in the warrior's armoury. Fear is always wasteful. The man who calmly expects to win has already begun to conquer. Our mood has so much to do with our might. And therefore does the Word of God counsel us to attend to our dispositions, lest, having carefully collected our material implements, …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year The Call of David.
"So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone."--1 Samuel xvii. 50. These words, which are taken from the chapter which you heard read just now in the course of the Service[1], declare the victory which David, the man after God's own heart, gained over Goliath, who came out of the army of the Philistines to defy the Living God; and they declare the manner of his gaining it. He gained it with a sling and with a stone; that is, by means, which to man might seem weak and …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII How David Prevailed.
"So David prevailed over the Philistine!"--1 SAMUEL xvii. 50. Yes, he did, but he would not have done so if he had remained as quiet as the other Israelites. David was one of those who could not be easy so long as the enemies of his country were in the ascendant. To see a Philistine strutting about, defying the armies of the living God, was more than he could bear. Is not this the spirit which should animate Christians to-day? It is not one GOLIATH merely, there are many. DRUNKENNESS, PROFANITY, …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread Knox -- the First Temptation of Christ
John Knox, the great Scottish reformer, was born at Giffordgate, four miles from Haddington, Scotland, in 1505. He first made his appearance as a preacher in Edinburgh, where he thundered against popery, but was imprisoned and sent to the galleys in 1546. In 1547 Edward VI secured his release and made him a royal chaplain, when he acquired the friendship of Cranmer and other reformers. On the accession of Mary (1553) he took refuge on the Continent. In 1556 he accepted the charge of a church in Geneva, …
Various—The World's Great Sermons, Volume I Hwochow Women's Bible Training School
COURSE OF STUDY FIRST TERM Book of Genesis. Gospel according to St. Luke or St. Mark. Acts of the Apostles, chapters i. to ix. "A Synopsis of the Central Themes of the Holy Bible." Reading Lessons, with necessary Explanation and Writing of Chinese Character. Arithmetic. Singing and Memorisation of Hymns. SECOND TERM Book of Exodus, Numbers, and 1 Samuel i. to xvi. The Gospel according to St. John. The Epistle of St James. "A Synopsis of the Central Themes of the Holy Bible"--(continued). Reading …
A. Mildred Cable—The Fulfilment of a Dream of Pastor Hsi's He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh The Shepherd-King
'And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt them mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel! fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite: for I have provided Me a king among his sons. 2. And Samuel said, How can I go? If Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the Lord said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the Lord. 3. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Temporal Advantages.
"We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."--1 Tim. vi. 7, 8. Every age has its own special sins and temptations. Impatience with their lot, murmuring, grudging, unthankfulness, discontent, are sins common to men at all times, but I suppose one of those sins which belongs to our age more than to another, is desire of a greater portion of worldly goods than God has given us,--ambition and covetousness …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII The Quotation in Matt. Ii. 6.
Several interpreters, Paulus especially, have asserted that the interpretation of Micah which is here given, was that of the Sanhedrim only, and not of the Evangelist, who merely recorded what happened and was said. But this assertion is at once refuted when we consider the object which Matthew has in view in his entire representation of the early life of Jesus. His object in recording the early life of Jesus is not like that of Luke, viz., to communicate historical information to his readers. …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
Ver. 8. "Judah, thou, thy brethren shall praise thee; thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; before thee shall bow down the sons of thy father. Ver. 9. A lion's whelp is Judah; from the prey, my son, thou goest up; he stoopeth down, he coucheth as a lion, and as a full-grown lion, who shall rouse him up? Ver. 10. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come, and unto Him the people shall adhere." Thus does dying Jacob, in announcing …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
A BRIEF AND FAITHFUL RELATION OF THE EXCEEDING MERCY OF GOD IN CHRIST TO HIS POOR SERVANT, JOHN BUNYAN; WHEREIN IS PARTICULARLY SHOWED THE MANNER OF HIS CONVERSION, HIS SIGHT AND TROUBLE FOR SIN, HIS DREADFUL TEMPTATIONS, ALSO HOW HE DESPAIRED OF GOD'S MERCY, AND HOW THE LORD AT LENGTH THROUGH CHRIST DID DELIVER HIM FROM ALL THE GUILT AND TERROR THAT LAY UPON HIM. Whereunto is added a brief relation of his call to the work of the ministry, of his temptations therein, as also what he hath met with …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Man's Chief End
Q-I: WHAT IS THE CHIEF END OF MAN? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever. Here are two ends of life specified. 1: The glorifying of God. 2: The enjoying of God. I. The glorifying of God, I Pet 4:4: That God in all things may be glorified.' The glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions. I Cor 10:01. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Everything works to some end in things natural and artificial; …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Samuel 17:23 NIV1 Samuel 17:23 NLT1 Samuel 17:23 ESV1 Samuel 17:23 NASB1 Samuel 17:23 KJV
1 Samuel 17:23 Commentaries
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