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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Samuel 17:34 David replied, "Your servant has been tending his father's sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/17-34.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/09_1Sa_17_34.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 17:34 - David Accepts the Challenge" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="David replied, Your servant has been tending his father's sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_samuel/17-34.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_samuel/17-34.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/">1 Samuel</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/17.htm">Chapter 17</a> > Verse 34</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad14.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_samuel/17-33.htm" title="1 Samuel 17:33">◄</a> 1 Samuel 17:34 <a href="/1_samuel/17-35.htm" title="1 Samuel 17:35">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/17.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/17.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But David said to Saul, &#8220Your servant has been keeping his father&#8217s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/17.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/17.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />David replied, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a sheep from the flock,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But David said to Saul, &#8220Your servant was tending his father&#8217s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But David said to Saul, “Your servant was shepherding his father’s sheep. And a lion and a bear would come and take a lamb from the flock,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />David answered Saul, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep. Whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />David answered Saul: &#8220Your servant has been tending his father&#8217s sheep. Whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And David said unto Saul, Thy servant was keeping his father's sheep; and when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But David told him: Your Majesty, I take care of my father's sheep. And when one of them is dragged off by a lion or a bear, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep; and when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />David replied to Saul, "I am a shepherd for my father's sheep. Whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Your Majesty," David said, "I take care of my father's sheep. Any time a lion or a bear carries off a lamb, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />David told Saul, "Your servant has been a shepherd for his father. When a lion or bear came and took a lamb from the flock, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />David replied, ?Your servant has been tending his father?s sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />David replied to Saul, "Your servant has been a shepherd for his father's flock. Whenever a lion or bear would come and carry off a sheep from the flock,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />David said to Saul, "Your servant was keeping his father's sheep; and when a lion or a bear came, and took a lamb out of the flock,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And David said to Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />David said to Saul, “Your servant was keeping his father’s sheep; and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And David says to Saul, “Your servant has been a shepherd among the sheep for his father, and the lion has come—and the bear—and has taken away a sheep out of the drove,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And David saith unto Saul, 'A shepherd hath thy servant been to his father among the sheep, and the lion hath come -- and the bear -- and hath taken away a sheep out of the drove,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And David will say to Saul, Thy servant was feeding for his father among the sheep, and there came the lion and with the bear, and lifted up a sheep from the flock.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And David said to Saul: Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, or a bear, and took a ram out of the midst of the flock: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And David said to Saul: “Your servant was pasturing the flock of his father. And there approached a lion or a bear, and it took a ram from the midst of the flock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then David told Saul: “Your servant used to tend his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or bear came to carry off a sheep from the flock,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father; and whenever a lion or a bear came, and took a lamb from the flock,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And David said to Saul, Your servant was tending his father's sheep, and there came a lion and a bear, and took a lamb from the flock;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And David said to Shaul: “Your Servant was a Shepherd for my father’s sheep, and a lion came, and a bear, and they picked up a lamb from the flock<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And David said unto Saul: 'Thy servant kept his father's sheep; and when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And David said to Saul, Thy servant was tending the flock for his father; and when a lion came and a she-bear, and took a sheep out of the flock,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/17-34.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=4952" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/17.htm">David Accepts the Challenge</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">33</span>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.” <span class="reftext">34</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: dā·wiḏ (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">David</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">replied,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7586.htm" title="7586: šā·’ūl (N-proper-ms) -- Passive participle of sha'al; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘aḇ·də·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">“Your servant</a> <a href="/hebrew/7462.htm" title="7462: rō·‘eh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; to tend a flock; i.e. Pasture it; intransitively, to graze; generally to rule; by extension, to associate with.">has been tending</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: lə·’ā·ḇîw (Prep-l:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">his father’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/6629.htm" title="6629: baṣ·ṣōn (Prep-b, Art:: N-cs) -- Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock. Or tsaown; from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock; also figuratively.">sheep,</a> <a href="/hebrew/738.htm" title="738: hā·’ă·rî (Art:: N-ms) -- A lion. Or earyeh; from 'arah; a lion.">and whenever a lion</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1677.htm" title="1677: had·dō·wḇ (Art:: N-ms) -- A bear. Or dowb; from dabab; the bear.">or a bear</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: ū·ḇā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">came</a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: wə·nā·śā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">and carried off</a> <a href="/hebrew/7716.htm" title="7716: śeh (N-ms) -- Or sey; probably from sha'ah through the idea of pushing out to graze; a member of a flock, i.e. A sheep or goat.">a lamb</a> <a href="/hebrew/5739.htm" title="5739: mê·hā·‘ê·ḏer (Prep-m, Art:: N-ms) -- A flock, herd. From adar; an arrangement, i.e. Muster.">from the flock,</a> </span><span class="reftext">35</span>I went after it, struck it down, and delivered the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/14-5.htm">Judges 14:5-6</a></span><br />Then Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother and came to the vineyards of Timnah. Suddenly a young lion came roaring at him, / and the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him, and he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as one would tear a young goat. But he did not tell his father or mother what he had done.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/3-12.htm">Amos 3:12</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “As the shepherd snatches from the mouth of the lion two legs or a piece of an ear, so the Israelites dwelling in Samaria will be rescued having just the corner of a bed or the cushion of a couch.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/23-20.htm">2 Samuel 23:20</a></span><br />And Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a man of valor from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. He struck down two champions of Moab, and on a snowy day he went down into a pit and killed a lion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/31-4.htm">Isaiah 31:4</a></span><br />For this is what the LORD has said to me: “Like a lion roaring or a young lion over its prey—and though a band of shepherds is called out against it, it is not terrified by their shouting or subdued by their clamor—so the LORD of Hosts will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and its heights.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/91-13.htm">Psalm 91:13</a></span><br />You will tread on the lion and cobra; you will trample the young lion and serpent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/2-24.htm">2 Kings 2:24</a></span><br />Then he turned around, looked at them, and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Suddenly two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/23-1.htm">Psalm 23:1-4</a></span><br />A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. / He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. / He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-12.htm">Matthew 18:12-14</a></span><br />What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? / And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. / In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-11.htm">John 10:11-15</a></span><br />I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. / The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. / The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/15-4.htm">Luke 15:4-7</a></span><br />“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? / And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, / comes home, and calls together his friends and neighbors to tell them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/21-15.htm">John 21:15-17</a></span><br />When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.” / Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.” / Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/20-28.htm">Acts 20:28</a></span><br />Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/5-2.htm">1 Peter 5:2-4</a></span><br />Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; / not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. / And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-20.htm">Hebrews 13:20</a></span><br />Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/7-17.htm">Revelation 7:17</a></span><br />For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. ‘He will lead them to springs of living water,’ and ‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And David said to Saul, Your servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:</p><p class="hdg">lamb.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/15-25.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-13.htm">Carried</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-33.htm">David</a> <a href="/judges/11-23.htm">Drove</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-22.htm">Keeper</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-11.htm">Keeping</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-15.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/judges/14-18.htm">Lion</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-33.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-32.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-28.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-20.htm">Shepherd</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-11.htm">Tending</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-9.htm">Used</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/17-36.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-5.htm">Carried</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-37.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/19-10.htm">Drove</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-2.htm">Keeper</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-23.htm">Keeping</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-37.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-36.htm">Lion</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-37.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-36.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-35.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-7.htm">Shepherd</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-16.htm">Tending</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-39.htm">Used</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 17</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/17-1.htm">The armies of the Israelites and Philistines being ready to battle</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/17-4.htm">Goliath challenges a combat</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/17-12.htm">David, sent by his father to visit his brothers, takes the challenge</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/17-28.htm">Eliab chides him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">30. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/17-30.htm">He is brought to Saul</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/17-32.htm">shows the reason of his confidence</a></span><br><span class="reftext">38. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/17-38.htm">and slays the giant</a></span><br><span class="reftext">55. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/17-55.htm">Saul takes notice of David</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/17.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/17.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>David replied</b><br>David, the youngest son of Jesse, is responding to King Saul. This moment occurs after David has heard Goliath's challenge and has volunteered to fight the Philistine giant. David's reply is significant as it demonstrates his confidence and faith, rooted in his past experiences. His response is not just a defense of his capability but also a testament to his trust in God's deliverance.<p><b>Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep</b><br>David identifies himself as a servant, highlighting his humility and obedience. Tending sheep was a common occupation in ancient Israel, often assigned to the youngest in the family. This role required vigilance, courage, and care, qualities that David would later exhibit as a leader and king. The imagery of a shepherd is also a powerful biblical motif, later used to describe Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd (<a href="/john/10-11.htm">John 10:11</a>).<p><b>and whenever a lion or a bear came</b><br>Lions and bears were known predators in the region of ancient Israel, posing real threats to livestock. David's mention of these animals underscores the danger he faced and overcame. This experience in the wilderness prepared him for future challenges, including his confrontation with Goliath. The reference to these predators also symbolizes the spiritual and physical battles believers face, requiring reliance on God's strength.<p><b>and carried off a lamb from the flock</b><br>The loss of a lamb would have been significant, as each animal was valuable to the family's livelihood. David's responsibility was to protect the flock, reflecting his dedication and bravery. This phrase also foreshadows the sacrificial nature of Christ, the Lamb of God, who was taken for the salvation of humanity (<a href="/john/1-29.htm">John 1:29</a>). David's willingness to risk his life for the sheep prefigures Christ's ultimate sacrifice for His people.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The youngest son of Jesse, a shepherd boy who would later become the king of Israel. At this point in the account, David is demonstrating his courage and faithfulness in protecting his father's sheep.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a></b><br>The first king of Israel, who is hesitant to allow David to face Goliath. Saul represents the established authority and the human perspective of fear and doubt.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/l/lion_and_bear.htm">Lion and Bear</a></b><br>These animals symbolize the real and present dangers that David faced while tending sheep. They represent challenges that require courage and reliance on God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/f/father's_sheep.htm">Father’s Sheep</a></b><br>The flock that David is responsible for, symbolizing his duty and faithfulness in small things, which prepares him for greater responsibilities.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_event.htm">The Event</a></b><br>David recounts his past experiences of protecting the sheep from predators, illustrating his bravery and trust in God’s deliverance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_small_things.htm">Faithfulness in Small Things</a></b><br>David’s commitment to protecting his father’s sheep demonstrates the importance of being faithful in small tasks. This faithfulness prepares us for greater responsibilities in God’s kingdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_in_the_face_of_danger.htm">Courage in the Face of Danger</a></b><br>David’s willingness to confront lions and bears shows that true courage comes from trusting in God’s strength rather than our own.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_greater_challenges.htm">Preparation for Greater Challenges</a></b><br>God often uses our current circumstances to prepare us for future challenges. David’s experiences as a shepherd equipped him to face Goliath.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_deliverance.htm">Trust in God’s Deliverance</a></b><br>David’s confidence in God’s past deliverance from lions and bears strengthens his faith to face Goliath. Remembering God’s past faithfulness can bolster our trust in Him during present trials.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 17</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_'lions'_in_psalm_57_4_poetic_or_literal.htm">Is the reference to enemies being like “lions” in Psalm 57:4 simply poetic imagery, or does it exaggerate any verifiable historical threat David faced? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_a_good_shepherd_in_scripture.htm">What qualities define a good shepherd in scripture?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_1_chr_17_and_2_sam_7.htm">How do we reconcile the differences between 1 Chronicles 17 and 2 Samuel 7 regarding the details of God's covenant with David?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_matthew_18_12-14_defy_shepherd_norms.htm">Matthew 18:12–14 – Does the parable of leaving ninety-nine sheep for one contradict practical shepherding and ancient Near Eastern practices? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(34) <span class= "bld">Thy servant kept his father's sheep.</span>--Here follows in the colloquy between the king and the boy that simple brave narrative which children listen to with glowing cheeks--that simple story, bearing the stamp of truth on every word--of what had happened to him in past days. Fierce wild animals, the terror of the Hebrew shepherds, had attacked his flock: these he had met and slain, almost without arms. <span class= "ital">Another </span>had helped him when he did his brave duty <span class= "ital">then; </span>and he felt that the same invisible Guardian would give him nerve and strength <span class= "ital">now </span>in this more dangerous encounter. Only let him try. There was nothing to fear; he <span class= "ital">must </span>succeed, he and his Divine Helper!<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 34-36.</span> - David does not appeal to any feat of arms. He may have served with credit in repelling some Philistine foray, but these combats with wild beasts, fought without the presence of spectators, and with no regent necessity (as most shepherds would have been too glad to compound with such enemies by letting them take a lamb without molestation), still more clearly proved David's fearless nature. Lions and bears were both common in ancient times in Palestine, when the country was more densely covered with wood; and bears are numerous in the mountainous districts now. Lions seem to have been less feared than bears (<a href="/amos/5-19.htm">Amos 5:19</a>); but Canon Tristram thinks there were two species of the lion in Palestine - one short-maned, which was not very formidable, the other long maned, which was more fierce and dangerous ('Nat. Hist. of Bible,' p. 117). The Hebrew literally is, "There came the lion and even the bear," the articles implying that they were the well known foes of the shepherd. The written text has <span class="accented">zeh</span>, "this," for <span class="accented">seh</span>, "a lamb," probably a mere variety of spelling. There can be little doubt that David refers to two different occasions, especially as bears and lions never hunt in company. <span class="cmt_word">By his beard.</span> Neither the bear nor the lion has a beard, and the word really means "the chin," "the place where the beard grows." The Chaldee translates <span class="accented">the lower jaw</span>, and the Septuagint <span class="accented">the throat.</span> It is plain from this description that David slew the beast with his staff. <span class="cmt_word">He arose against me.</span> This shows that the combat thus particularly described was with the bear, which does thus rise on its hind legs to grapple with its foe, while the lion crouches and then springs. Pliny also says that the weakest part of a bear is its head, and that it can be killed by a smart blow there. The manner in which David killed the lion is not described. <span class="cmt_word">Defied</span>. See on ver. 10. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/17-34.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">David</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּוִד֙</span> <span class="translit">(dā·wiḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> </span><span class="str2">David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">replied,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֤אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Your servant</span><br /><span class="heb">עַבְדְּךָ֛</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḇ·də·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has been tending</span><br /><span class="heb">רֹעֶ֨ה</span> <span class="translit">(rō·‘eh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7462.htm">Strong's 7462: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his father’s</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאָבִ֖יו</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’ā·ḇîw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sheep,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּצֹּ֑אן</span> <span class="translit">(baṣ·ṣōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6629.htm">Strong's 6629: </a> </span><span class="str2">Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and whenever a lion</span><br /><span class="heb">הָֽאֲרִי֙</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ă·rî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_738.htm">Strong's 738: </a> </span><span class="str2">A lion</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or a bear</span><br /><span class="heb">הַדּ֔וֹב</span> <span class="translit">(had·dō·wḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1677.htm">Strong's 1677: </a> </span><span class="str2">The bear</span><br /><br /><span class="word">came</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבָ֤א</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and carried off</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנָשָׂ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nā·śā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a lamb</span><br /><span class="heb">שֶׂ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(śeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7716.htm">Strong's 7716: </a> </span><span class="str2">A member of a, flock, a sheep, goat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from the flock,</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵהָעֵֽדֶר׃</span> <span class="translit">(mê·hā·‘ê·ḏer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5739.htm">Strong's 5739: </a> </span><span class="str2">An arrangement, muster</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/17-34.htm">1 Samuel 17:34 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/17-34.htm">1 Samuel 17:34 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/17-34.htm">1 Samuel 17:34 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/17-34.htm">1 Samuel 17:34 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/17-34.htm">1 Samuel 17:34 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/17-34.htm">1 Samuel 17:34 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/17-34.htm">1 Samuel 17:34 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/17-34.htm">1 Samuel 17:34 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/17-34.htm">1 Samuel 17:34 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/17-34.htm">1 Samuel 17:34 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/17-34.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 17:34 David said to Saul Your servant was (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/17-33.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 17:33"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 17:33" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/17-35.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 17:35"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 17:35" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>