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"As surely as you live, O king," Abner replied, "I do not know."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/17-55.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/09_1Sa_17_55.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 17:55 - David Slays Goliath" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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? 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And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell. <a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/17.htm">New King James Version</a> When Saul saw David going out against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this youth?” And Abner said, “As your soul lives, O king, I do not know.” <a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now when Saul had seen David going out against the Philistine, he said to Abner the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” And Abner said, “By your life, O king, I do not know.” <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/17.htm">NASB 1995</a> Now when Saul saw David going out against the Philistine, he said to Abner the commander of the army, &#8220Abner, whose son is this young man?&#8221 And Abner said, &#8220By your life, O king, I do not know.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Now when Saul saw David going out against the Philistine, he said to Abner the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” And Abner said, “By your life, O king, I do not know.” <a href="/lsb/1_samuel/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now when Saul saw David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” And Abner said, “By your life, O king, I do not know.” <a href="/amp/1_samuel/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a> When Saul saw David going out against the Philistine, he said to Abner the captain of the army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” And Abner answered, “By your life, O king, I do not know.” <a href="/csb/1_samuel/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> When Saul had seen David going out to confront the Philistine, he asked Abner the commander of the army, “Whose son is this youth, Abner? ” “Your Majesty, as surely as you live, I don’t know,” Abner replied. <a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> When Saul had seen David going out to confront the Philistine, he asked Abner the commander of the army, &#8220Whose son is this youth, Abner?&#8221 &#8220My king, as surely as you live, I don&#8217t know,&#8221 Abner replied. <a href="/asv/1_samuel/17.htm">American Standard Version</a> And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell. <a href="/cev/1_samuel/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> After King Saul had watched David go out to fight Goliath, Saul turned to the commander of his army and said, "Abner, who is that young man?" "Your Majesty," Abner answered, "I swear by your life that I don't know." <a href="/erv/1_samuel/17.htm">English Revised Version</a> And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell. <a href="/gwt/1_samuel/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> As Saul watched David going out against the Philistine, he asked Abner, the commander of the army, "Abner, whose son is this young man?" Abner answered, "I solemnly swear, as you live, Your Majesty, I don't know." <a href="/gnt/1_samuel/17.htm">Good News Translation</a> When Saul saw David going out to fight Goliath, he asked Abner, the commander of his army, "Abner, whose son is he?" "I have no idea, Your Majesty," Abner answered. <a href="/isv/1_samuel/17.htm">International Standard Version</a> When Saul saw David going out to meet the Philistine, he asked Abner, the commander of the army, "Whose son is this young man, Abner?" Abner said, "As surely as you live, your majesty, I don't know." <a href="/msb/1_samuel/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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.? <a href="/net/1_samuel/17.htm">NET Bible</a> Now as Saul watched David going out to fight the Philistine, he asked Abner, the general in command of the army, "Whose son is this young man, Abner?" Abner replied, "As surely as you live, O king, I don't know." <a href="/nheb/1_samuel/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> When Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the commander of the army, "Whose son is that boy?" Abner said, "As your soul lives, O king, I don't know." <a href="/wbt/1_samuel/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said to Abner the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell. <a href="/web/1_samuel/17.htm">World English Bible</a> When Saul saw David go out against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the captain of the army, “Abner, whose son is this youth?” Abner said, “As your soul lives, O king, I can’t tell.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And when Saul sees David going out to meet the Philistine, he has said to Abner, head of the host, “Whose son [is] this—the youth, Abner?” And Abner says, “Your soul lives, O king, I have not known.” <a href="/ylt/1_samuel/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And when Saul seeth David going out to meet the Philistine, he hath said unto Abner, head of the host, 'Whose son is this -- the youth, Abner?' and Abner saith, 'Thy soul liveth, O king, I have not known.' <a href="/slt/1_samuel/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And when Saul saw David going forth to meet the rover, he said to Abner, chief of the army, Whose son this boy, Abner? and Abner will say, Thy soul lives, O king, if I knew.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_samuel/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Now at the time that Saul saw David going out against the Philistines, he said to Abner the captain of the army: Of what family is this young man descended, Abner? And Abner said: As thy soul liveth, O king, I know not. <a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Now at the time that Saul had seen David going out against the Philistines, he said to Abner, the leader of the military, “From what stock is this youth descended, Abner?” And Abner said, “As your soul lives, O king, I do not know.” <a href="/nabre/1_samuel/17.htm">New American Bible</a> As Saul watched David go out to meet the Philistine, he asked his general Abner, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” Abner replied, “On your life, O king, I have no idea.” <a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> When Saul saw David go out against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” Abner said, “As your soul lives, O king, I do not know.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the commander of his army, Whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As your soul lives, O king, I do not know. <a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And when Shaul saw David as he went out to the encounter of the Philistine, he had said to Abnir, Commander of his army: “Whose son is this boy?” And Abnir said, “Living is your soul, oh King, for I do not know”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_samuel/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host: 'Abner, whose son is this youth?' And Abner said: 'As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.' <a href="/parallel/1_samuel/17-55.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=5192" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/17.htm">David Slays Goliath</a> …54David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, and he put Goliath’s weapons in his own tent. 55<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.">As Saul</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: wə·ḵir·’ō·wṯ (Conj-w, Prep-k:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">had watched</a> <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/3318.htm" title="3318: yō·ṣê (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">going out</a> <a href="/hebrew/7122.htm" title="7122: liq·raṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To encounter, befall. A primitive root: to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner.">to confront</a> <a href="/hebrew/6430.htm" title="6430: hap·pə·liš·tî (Art:: N-proper-ms) -- Inhab. of Philistia. Patrial from Plesheth; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth.">the Philistine,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">he said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/74.htm" title="74: ’aḇ·nêr (N-proper-ms) -- My father is a lamp, an Isr. name. Or nabiyner; from 'ab and niyr; father of light; Abner, an Israelite.">Abner</a> <a href="/hebrew/8269.htm" title="8269: śar (N-msc) -- Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince. From sarar; a head person.">the commander</a> <a href="/hebrew/6635.htm" title="6635: haṣ·ṣā·ḇā (Art:: N-cs) -- Or tsbadah; from tsaba'; a mass of persons, especially reg. Organized for war; by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively.">of the army,</a> <a href="/hebrew/74.htm" title="74: ’aḇ·nêr (N-proper-ms) -- My father is a lamp, an Isr. name. Or nabiyner; from 'ab and niyr; father of light; Abner, an Israelite.">“Abner,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî- (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">whose</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ben- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">son</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">is this</a> <a href="/hebrew/5288.htm" title="5288: han·na·‘ar (Art:: N-ms) -- A boy, lad, youth, retainer. From na'ar; a boy, from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also, a girl.">young man?”</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: nap̄·šə·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">“As surely as you</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ḥê- (N-msc) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">live,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">O king,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/74.htm" title="74: ’aḇ·nêr (N-proper-ms) -- My father is a lamp, an Isr. name. Or nabiyner; from 'ab and niyr; father of light; Abner, an Israelite.">Abner</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/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">“I do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yā·ḏā·‘ə·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">know.”</a> 56“Find out whose son this young man is!” said the king.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_samuel/16-21.htm">1 Samuel 16:21-23</a> When David came to Saul and entered his service, Saul loved him very much, and David became his armor-bearer. / Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.” / And whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would pick up his harp and play. Then Saul would find relief and feel better, and the spirit of distress would depart from him. <a href="/1_samuel/18-2.htm">1 Samuel 18:2</a> And from that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house. <a href="/1_samuel/16-18.htm">1 Samuel 16:18</a> 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.” <a href="/1_samuel/14-50.htm">1 Samuel 14:50-52</a> His wife’s name was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of his army was Abner, the son of Saul’s uncle Ner. / Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel. / And the war with the Philistines was fierce for all the days of Saul. So whenever he noticed any strong or brave man, Saul would enlist him. <a href="/1_samuel/18-6.htm">1 Samuel 18:6-9</a> 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.” / And Saul was furious and resented this song. “They have ascribed tens of thousands to David,” he said, “but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom?” ... <a href="/1_samuel/19-9.htm">1 Samuel 19:9-10</a> But as Saul was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand, a spirit of distress from the LORD came upon him. While David was playing the harp, / Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear. But David eluded him and the spear struck the wall. And David fled and escaped that night. <a href="/1_samuel/20-27.htm">1 Samuel 20:27-33</a> But on the day after the New Moon, the second day, David’s place was still empty, and Saul asked his son Jonathan, “Why hasn’t the son of Jesse come to the meal either yesterday or today?” / Jonathan answered, “David urgently requested my permission to go to Bethlehem, / saying, ‘Please let me go, because our clan is holding a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has told me to be there. So now, if I have found favor in your eyes, please let me go and see my brothers.’ That is why he has not come to the king’s table.” ... <a href="/1_samuel/22-7.htm">1 Samuel 22:7-8</a> Then Saul said to his servants, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Is the son of Jesse giving all of you fields and vineyards and making you commanders of thousands or hundreds? / Is that why all of you have conspired against me? Not one of you told me that my own son had made a covenant with the son of Jesse. Not one of you has shown concern for me or revealed to me that my son has stirred up my own servant to lie in wait against me, as is the case today.” <a href="/1_samuel/24-16.htm">1 Samuel 24:16-21</a> 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. / And you have declared this day how you have treated me well, for when the LORD delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me. ... <a href="/1_samuel/26-17.htm">1 Samuel 26:17-25</a> Then Saul recognized David’s voice and asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” “It is my voice, my lord and king,” David said. / And he continued, “Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done? What evil is in my hand? / Now please, may my lord the king hear the words of his servant: If the LORD has stirred you up against me, then may He accept an offering. But if men have done it, may they be cursed in the presence of the LORD! For today they have driven me away from sharing in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’ ... <a href="/2_samuel/7-8.htm">2 Samuel 7:8-9</a> Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My people Israel. / I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make for you a name like that of the greatest in the land. <a href="/2_samuel/21-1.htm">2 Samuel 21:1-2</a> During the reign of David there was a famine for three successive years, and David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, “It is because of the blood shed by Saul and his family, because he killed the Gibeonites.” / At this, David summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not Israelites, but a remnant of the Amorites. The Israelites had taken an oath concerning them, but in his zeal for Israel and Judah, Saul had sought to kill them.) <a href="/2_samuel/23-1.htm">2 Samuel 23:1-2</a> These are the last words of David: “The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man raised on high, the one anointed by the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel: / The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; His word was on my tongue. <a href="/1_chronicles/11-1.htm">1 Chronicles 11:1-3</a> Then all Israel came together to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood. / Even in times past, while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And the LORD your God said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’” / So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where David made a covenant with them before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD through Samuel. <a href="/1_chronicles/17-7.htm">1 Chronicles 17:7-8</a> Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My people Israel. / I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make for you a name like that of the greatest in the land.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As your soul lives, O king, I cannot tell.whose son<a href="/1_samuel/17-58.htm">1 Samuel 17:58</a> And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.<a href="/1_samuel/16-21.htm">1 Samuel 16:21,22</a> And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/14-51.htm">Abner</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-48.htm">Army</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-18.htm">Captain</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-18.htm">Commander</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-54.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-46.htm">Host</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-54.htm">Philistine</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-39.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-7.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-42.htm">Youth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/17-57.htm">Abner</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-5.htm">Army</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-13.htm">Captain</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-13.htm">Commander</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-57.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-5.htm">Host</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-57.htm">Philistine</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-57.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-1.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-56.htm">Youth</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 17</div>1. <a href="/1_samuel/17-1.htm">The armies of the Israelites and Philistines being ready to battle</a> 4. <a href="/1_samuel/17-4.htm">Goliath challenges a combat</a> 12. <a href="/1_samuel/17-12.htm">David, sent by his father to visit his brothers, takes the challenge</a> 28. <a href="/1_samuel/17-28.htm">Eliab chides him</a> 30. <a href="/1_samuel/17-30.htm">He is brought to Saul</a> 32. <a href="/1_samuel/17-32.htm">shows the reason of his confidence</a> 38. <a href="/1_samuel/17-38.htm">and slays the giant</a> 55. <a href="/1_samuel/17-55.htm">Saul takes notice of David</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>As Saul had watched David going out to confront the Philistine This phrase highlights Saul's position as king and military leader, observing the events on the battlefield. The Philistine, Goliath, represents the formidable enemy of Israel, and David's willingness to confront him is significant. This moment underscores David's faith and courage, contrasting with Saul's fear and hesitation. The confrontation is set in the Valley of Elah, a strategic location for battles between the Israelites and Philistines. David's actions foreshadow his future role as a leader who trusts in God, reminiscent of Joshua's leadership in the conquest of Canaan.he said to Abner the commander of the army Abner, Saul's cousin and commander, is a key military figure in Israel. His presence indicates the importance of the event. The inquiry to Abner suggests Saul's lack of familiarity with David, despite David's previous service in Saul's court as a musician and armor-bearer. This moment highlights the disconnect between Saul and David, which will grow as David rises in prominence. Abner's role as a military leader is crucial, as he later becomes a significant figure in the power struggles following Saul's death.“Abner, whose son is this young man?” Saul's question about David's lineage reflects the importance of family and heritage in ancient Israel. Knowing one's family background was crucial for understanding social status and potential alliances. David's father, Jesse, is from Bethlehem, a town with prophetic significance as the birthplace of the future Messiah (<a href="/micah/5-2.htm">Micah 5:2</a>). This inquiry also emphasizes David's youth and unexpected emergence as a hero, a theme that recurs throughout his life and points to the unexpected ways God chooses leaders.“As surely as you live, O king,” This oath underscores the seriousness of Abner's response and his respect for Saul's authority. The phrase reflects the cultural practice of swearing by the king's life, a common expression of loyalty and truthfulness in ancient Near Eastern societies. It also highlights the hierarchical structure of Israel's monarchy, with Saul at the top as God's anointed king, despite his spiritual failings.Abner replied, “I do not know.” Abner's lack of knowledge about David's identity suggests David's humble beginnings and the obscurity from which he rises. This ignorance also points to the divine orchestration of events, as God often chooses the least likely individuals to fulfill His purposes. The anonymity of David at this point contrasts with his future fame and foreshadows the hidden nature of Christ's early life before His public ministry.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a> The first king of Israel, who was anointed by the prophet Samuel. At this point in the account, Saul is struggling with his own insecurities and the threat posed by the Philistines. 2. <a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a> A young shepherd who has been anointed by Samuel to be the future king of Israel. He is about to confront Goliath, the Philistine giant, in a pivotal moment of faith and courage. 3. <a href="/topical/a/abner.htm">Abner</a> The commander of Saul's army. He is a key military leader and is present during this significant event, yet he does not recognize David. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_philistine.htm">The Philistine (Goliath)</a> The giant warrior from Gath who challenges the Israelites, representing the formidable opposition faced by God's people. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_valley_of_elah.htm">The Valley of Elah</a> The location where the battle between the Israelites and the Philistines takes place, symbolizing the battleground of faith and fear.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_anointing_and_human_recognition.htm">God's Anointing and Human Recognition</a> Despite being anointed by God, David is not yet recognized by Saul or Abner. This reminds us that God's calling and anointing may not always be immediately visible to others. <a href="/topical/c/courage_in_the_face_of_opposition.htm">Courage in the Face of Opposition</a> David's willingness to confront Goliath demonstrates the power of faith and courage. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's strength when facing their own "giants." <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_knowing_god's_people.htm">The Importance of Knowing God's People</a> Saul's lack of awareness about David's identity highlights the importance of knowing and recognizing the gifts and callings within the body of Christ. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_leadership.htm">God's Sovereignty in Leadership</a> The unfolding events show God's sovereignty in raising leaders according to His purpose, even when human leaders fail to see His plan.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 17</a> <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> <a href="/q/evidence_for_threats_in_psalm_5.htm">Has any historical or archaeological evidence been found to confirm the specific threats David describes in Psalm 5? </a> <a href="/q/why_did_saul_offer_michal_to_david.htm">1 Samuel 18:20-21: Why would Saul offer his daughter Michal to David if he intended to harm him, and does this suggest inconsistencies within the narrative?</a> <a href="/q/how_did_david_take_goliath's_head_to_jerusalem.htm">How is it historically accurate that David carried Goliath's head to Jerusalem if it wasn't yet under Israelite control (1 Samuel 17:54)?</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>(55) Whose son is this youth?--A grave difficulty, at first sight, indisputably exists here. It is briefly this. In the preceding chapter (<a href="/context/1_samuel/17-18.htm" title="And carry these ten cheeses to the captain of their thousand, and look how your brothers fare, and take their pledge.">1Samuel 17:18-23</a>), David, the son of Jesse, is chosen to play before the mentally sick king; his playing relieved the sufferer, who became attached to the young musician, and in consequence appointed him to a position about his person that certainly would have involved a lengthened, if not a continuous, residence at the court. In this and the following verses we read how this same David, at the time of his great exploit, was apparently unknown to the king and to Abner, the captain of the host. The LXX., fully conscious of the difficulty, determined to solve it by boldly, if not wisely, cutting the knot. They literally expunged from their version all the later passages which they could not easily bring into harmony with the earlier. The Greek Version, then, simply omits these four last verses of 1 Samuel 17, together with the first five verses of 1 Samuel 18, and the whole of the section <a href="/context/1_samuel/17-12.htm" title="Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.">1Samuel 17:12-31</a>.Various ingenious explanations have been suggested by scholars.(a) The mental state of Saul when David played before him was such that the king failed to recognise him on the present occasion, and Abner probably had never seen him before.(b) Some length of time had elapsed since his last visit to the court, and as he was then in very early manhood, he had, so to speak, grown, in a comparatively speaking short space of time, out of Saul's memory.(c) The purpose of Saul's inquiry was not to find out who David was--that he knew well already--but to ascertain the position and general circumstances of the young hero's father, as, according to the promise (in <a href="/1_samuel/17-25.htm" title="And the men of Israel said, Have you seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who kills him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.">1Samuel 17:25</a>), in the event of his success (which evidently the king confidently looked for), the father of the champion and his family would receive extraordinary honours.The real solution of the difficulty probably lies in the fact that, as has been before stated, this and the other historical books of the Old Testament were made up by the inspired compiler from well-authenticated traditions current in Israel, and most probably preserved in the archives of the great prophetic schools. (See Notes on <a href="/1_samuel/17-1.htm" title="Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongs to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim.">1Samuel 17:1</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/17-15.htm" title="But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.">1Samuel 17:15</a>.) There were, no doubt, many of these traditions connected with the principal events of David's early career. Two here were selected which, to a certain extent, covered the same ground. The first--preserved, no doubt, in some prophetic school where music and poetry were especially cultivated--narrates the influence which David acquired over Saul through his great gift of music. The power of music and poetry in Saul's mental disease was evidently the great point of interest to the original writer of <a href="/context/1_samuel/16-14.htm" title="But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.">1Samuel 16:14-23</a>. Now, in the narrative contained in these ten verses no note of time occurs. The events related evidently were spread over a considerable, possibly over a very long, period. The afflicted king might have seen the young musician perhaps in a darkened tent once or twice before the Goliath combat, but the great intimacy described in <a href="/context/1_samuel/16-21.htm" title="And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armor bearer.">1Samuel 16:21-23</a>, we may well assume, belonged to a period subsequent to the memorable combat with the giant. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 55-58. - Abner, whose son is this youth? Hebrew, "lad," na'ar. We have seen that the narrative in <a href="/1_samuel/16-21.htm">1 Samuel 16:21-23</a> carries the history of David's relations with Saul down to a much later period, and that in ver. 15 of this chapter David is represented as not dwelling continuously at Saul's court, but as having returned to Bethlehem and resumed his pastoral occupations there, whence he would be summoned back in case of the recurrence of Saul's malady. It is plain from what is stated here that David had not thus far spent time enough at Gibeah to be personally well known either to Saul or his officers (see note on ver. 15). Stripling. Not na'ar, but alem, the masculine of the word almah, used in <a href="/isaiah/7-14.htm">Isaiah 7:14</a>. It means a young man fully grown, and arrived at the age to marry, and so is more definite than na'ar, which Saul uses in ver. 58. As David returned, etc. Abner, as captain of the host, would naturally watch the combat, and as soon as it was possible would bring the young warrior into the king's presence. But what is recorded here could have taken place only after the pursuit of the Philistines was over, and really these five verses should be united with ch. 17, as their object is to introduce the account of the love. of Jonathan for David. Starting then with the inquiry made by the king of Abner, asking for fuller information as to the young man's parentage, the historian then tells how after the chase he was brought before Saul, and then, in <a href="/1_samuel/18-1.htm">1 Samuel 18:1</a>, that the result of their conversation was the warm love that henceforward knit together these two kindred souls. <a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/17-55.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>As Saul שָׁא֜וּל (šā·’ūl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7586.htm">Strong's 7586: </a> Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites had watched וְכִרְא֨וֹת (wə·ḵir·’ō·wṯ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> To see David דָּוִ֗ד (dā·wiḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse going out יֹצֵא֙ (yō·ṣê) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> To go, bring, out, direct and proxim to confront לִקְרַ֣את (liq·raṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7122.htm">Strong's 7122: </a> To encounter, befall the Philistine, הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔י (hap·pə·liš·tî) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6430.htm">Strong's 6430: </a> Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia he said אָמַ֗ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to Abner אַבְנֵר֙ (’aḇ·nêr) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_74.htm">Strong's 74: </a> Abner -- 'my father is a lamp', an Israelite name the commander שַׂ֣ר (śar) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8269.htm">Strong's 8269: </a> Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince of the army, הַצָּבָ֔א (haṣ·ṣā·ḇā) Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6635.htm">Strong's 6635: </a> A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign “Abner, אַבְנֵ֑ר (’aḇ·nêr) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_74.htm">Strong's 74: </a> Abner -- 'my father is a lamp', an Israelite name whose מִי־ (mî-) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix son בֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son is this זֶ֥ה (zeh) Pronoun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> This, that young man?” הַנַּ֖עַר (han·na·‘ar) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5288.htm">Strong's 5288: </a> A boy, lad, youth, retainer “As surely as you נַפְשְׁךָ֥ (nap̄·šə·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion live, חֵֽי־ (ḥê-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life O king,” הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king Abner אַבְנֵ֔ר (’aḇ·nêr) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_74.htm">Strong's 74: </a> Abner -- 'my father is a lamp', an Israelite name replied, וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “I do not אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not know.” יָדָֽעְתִּי׃ (yā·ḏā·‘ə·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> To know <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/17-55.htm">1 Samuel 17:55 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/17-55.htm">1 Samuel 17:55 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_samuel/17-55.htm">1 Samuel 17:55 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/17-55.htm">1 Samuel 17:55 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/17-55.htm">1 Samuel 17:55 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/17-55.htm">1 Samuel 17:55 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/17-55.htm">1 Samuel 17:55 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/17-55.htm">1 Samuel 17:55 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/17-55.htm">1 Samuel 17:55 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_samuel/17-55.htm">1 Samuel 17:55 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-55.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 17:55 When Saul saw David go forth against (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/17-54.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 17:54"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 17:54" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/17-56.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 17:56"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 17:56" /></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>