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1 Samuel 17:36 Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God."
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this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/17.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/17.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has defied the armies of the living God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />“Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Your servant has struck down both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has reproached the battle lines of the living God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted <i>and</i> defied the armies of the living God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Thy servant smote both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Sir, I have killed lions and bears that way, and I can kill this worthless Philistine. He shouldn't have made fun of the army of the living God! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Thy servant smote both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I have killed lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them because he has challenged the army of the living God."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I have killed lions and bears, and I will do the same to this heathen Philistine, who has defied the army of the living God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he defied the armies of the living God." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Your servant has struck down both the lion and the bear. This uncircumcised Philistine will be just like one of them. For he has defied the armies of the living God!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Your servant struck both the lion and the bear, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them. Should I not go and smite him, and remove this day a disgrace from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised one, since he has defied the armies of the living God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Your servant struck both the lion and the bear. This uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, since he has defied the armies of the living God.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Your servant has struck both the lion and the bear, and this uncircumcised Philistine has been as one of them, for he has reproached the ranks of the living God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Both the lion and the bear hath thy servant smitten, and this uncircumcised Philistine hath been as one of them, for he hath reproached the ranks of the living God.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Also the lion and the bear thy servant struck: and this uncircumcised of the rovers was as one of them, for he God, upbraided the ranks of the living.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For I thy servant have killed both a lion and a bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be also as one of them. I will go now, and take away the reproach of the people: for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, who hath dared to curse the army of the living God? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For I, your servant, have killed both lion and bear. And so this uncircumcised Philistine, too, will be like one of them. Now I will go and take away the reproach of the people. For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, who has dared to curse the army of the living God?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Your servant has killed both a lion and a bear. This uncircumcised Philistine will be as one of them, because he has insulted the armies of the living God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Your servant has killed both lions and bears; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, since he has defied the armies of the living God.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Your servant slew both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Your Servant killed both the lion and the bear. This uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, because he defied the ranks of the living God!”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Thy servant smote both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath taunted the armies of the living God.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Thy servant smote both the lion and the bear, and the uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them: shall I not go and smite him, and remove this day a reproach from Israel? For who <i>is</i> this uncircumcised one, who has defied the army of the living God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/17-36.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=4973" 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">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. <span class="reftext">36</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘aḇ·de·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">Your servant</a> <a href="/hebrew/5221.htm" title="5221: hik·kāh (V-Hifil-Perf-3ms) -- To smite. A primitive root; to strike.">has killed</a> <a href="/hebrew/738.htm" title="738: hā·’ă·rî (Art:: N-ms) -- A lion. Or earyeh; from 'arah; a lion.">lions</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: gam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: gam (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">and</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/1677.htm" title="1677: had·dō·wḇ (Art:: N-ms) -- A bear. Or dowb; from dabab; the bear.">bears;</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">this</a> <a href="/hebrew/6189.htm" title="6189: he·‘ā·rêl (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Having foreskin (uncircumcised). Rom arel; properly, exposed, i.e. Projecting loose; used only technically, uncircumcised.">uncircumcised</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.">Philistine</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wə·hā·yāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">will be</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: kə·’a·ḥaḏ (Prep-k:: Number-ms) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">like one</a> <a href="/hebrew/mê·hem (Prep-m:: Pro-3mp) -- ">of them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/2778.htm" title="2778: ḥê·rêp̄ (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To pull off, to expose, to betroth, to carp at, defame, to spend the winter.">he has defied</a> <a href="/hebrew/4634.htm" title="4634: ma·‘ar·ḵōṯ (N-fpc) -- Row, rank, battle line. Feminine of ma'arak; an arrangement; concretely, a pile; specifically a military array.">the armies</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ḥay·yîm (Adj-mp) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">of the living</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">God.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">37</span>David added, “The LORD, who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear, will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” “Go,” said Saul, “and may the LORD be with you.”…<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="/judges/15-8.htm">Judges 15:8</a></span><br />And he struck them ruthlessly with a great slaughter, and then went down and stayed in the cave at the rock of Etam.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/21-15.htm">2 Samuel 21:15-22</a></span><br />Once again the Philistines waged war against Israel, and David and his servants went down and fought against the Philistines. But David became exhausted. / Then Ishbi-benob, a descendant of Rapha, whose bronze spear weighed three hundred shekels and who was bearing a new sword, resolved to kill David. / But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to his aid, struck the Philistine, and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, “You must never again go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel may not be extinguished.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-35.htm">2 Kings 19:35</a></span><br />And that very night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!<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="/psalms/144-1.htm">Psalm 144:1</a></span><br />Of David. Blessed be the LORD, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.<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="/isaiah/37-36.htm">Isaiah 37:36</a></span><br />Then the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/6-22.htm">Daniel 6:22</a></span><br />My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.”<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="/matthew/10-28.htm">Matthew 10:28</a></span><br />Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-29.htm">Matthew 12:29</a></span><br />Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/5-2.htm">Mark 5:2-4</a></span><br />As soon as Jesus got out of the boat, He was met by a man with an unclean spirit, who was coming from the tombs. / This man had been living in the tombs and could no longer be restrained, even with chains. / Though he was often bound with chains and shackles, he had broken the chains and shattered the shackles. Now there was no one with the strength to subdue him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-19.htm">Luke 10:19</a></span><br />Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-11.htm">John 10:11-12</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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Your servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.</p><p class="hdg">this</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/17-26.htm">1 Samuel 17:26</a></b></br> And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who <i>is</i> this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/32-19.htm">Ezekiel 32:19,27-32</a></b></br> Whom dost thou pass in beauty? go down, and be thou laid with the uncircumcised… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/2-28.htm">Romans 2:28,29</a></b></br> For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither <i>is that</i> circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: … </p><p class="hdg">seeing</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/17-10.htm">1 Samuel 17:10</a></b></br> And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/10-15.htm">Isaiah 10:15</a></b></br> Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? <i>or</i> shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake <i>itself</i> against them that lift it up, <i>or</i> as if the staff should lift up <i>itself, as if it were</i> no wood.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/36-8.htm">Isaiah 36:8-10,15,18</a></b></br> Now therefore give pledges, I pray thee, to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/17-26.htm">Armies</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-34.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/29-23.htm">Bears</a> <a href="/judges/15-18.htm">Circumcision</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-10.htm">Defied</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-35.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-34.htm">Lion</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-24.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-33.htm">Philistine</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-23.htm">Ranks</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-10.htm">Reproached</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-34.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-35.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-35.htm">Smitten</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-35.htm">Smote</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-35.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-26.htm">Taunted</a> <a href="/judges/11-22.htm">Theirs</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-26.htm">Uncircumcised</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/17-45.htm">Armies</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-37.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-24.htm">Bears</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-20.htm">Circumcision</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-45.htm">Defied</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-50.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-37.htm">Lion</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-16.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-37.htm">Philistine</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-45.htm">Ranks</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-45.htm">Reproached</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-58.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-50.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-19.htm">Smitten</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-49.htm">Smote</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-49.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-45.htm">Taunted</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-7.htm">Theirs</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-4.htm">Uncircumcised</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'; 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This experience demonstrates his courage and reliance on God's strength. In the ancient Near East, lions and bears were common threats to livestock, and shepherds needed to be brave and resourceful. David's victories over these animals foreshadow his ability to confront Goliath, emphasizing that God equips those He calls for His purposes. This phrase also highlights the theme of God preparing His servants through seemingly mundane tasks for greater challenges.<p><b>this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them,</b><br>David refers to Goliath as "uncircumcised," indicating that Goliath is outside the covenant community of Israel. Circumcision was a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants (<a href="/genesis/17-10.htm">Genesis 17:10-14</a>). By calling Goliath "uncircumcised," David underscores the Philistine's lack of relationship with God and positions him as an enemy of God's people. This phrase also reflects David's confidence that God will deliver Goliath into his hands just as He did with the wild animals, reinforcing the idea that God is sovereign over all adversaries.<p><b>for he has defied the armies of the living God.”</b><br>David's motivation for confronting Goliath is rooted in his zeal for God's honor. The Philistine's defiance is not merely against Israel but against God Himself, who is described as "the living God." This title emphasizes God's active presence and power, contrasting with the lifeless idols worshiped by other nations. David's perspective aligns with the biblical theme that God fights for His people and that His name should be revered among the nations. This phrase also prefigures Christ, who zealously defended His Father's honor and defeated the ultimate enemy, sin and death, through His sacrifice.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>A young shepherd who later becomes the king of Israel. At this point in the account, he is demonstrating his faith and courage by recounting his past victories over dangerous animals.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/l/lion_and_bear.htm">Lion and Bear</a></b><br>These animals represent past challenges that David has overcome through God's strength, serving as a testament to his faith and God's deliverance.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/p/philistine.htm">Philistine</a></b><br>Refers to Goliath, the giant warrior challenging the Israelites. David sees him as another adversary to be defeated through God's power.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/a/armies_of_the_living_god.htm">Armies of the Living God</a></b><br>This phrase emphasizes the spiritual battle and the honor of God’s name, which David is zealous to defend.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites_and_philistines.htm">Israelites and Philistines</a></b><br>The two opposing forces in this account, with the Israelites representing God's chosen people and the Philistines as their adversaries.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>David’s past experiences with the lion and bear illustrate how God prepares us for future challenges. Reflect on how God has equipped you through past experiences.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/defending_god's_honor.htm">Defending God’s Honor</a></b><br>David’s motivation was not personal glory but defending the honor of God. Consider how you can stand for God’s truth in your daily life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_through_faith.htm">Courage through Faith</a></b><br>True courage comes from faith in God, not in our own strength. Identify areas in your life where you need to rely more on God’s power.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_perspective.htm">Spiritual Perspective</a></b><br>David saw the battle as a spiritual one, not just physical. Evaluate how you perceive challenges—are you seeing them through a spiritual lens?<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_deliverance.htm">God’s Deliverance</a></b><br>Trust in God’s ability to deliver you from your "giants," just as He delivered David. Reflect on God’s past faithfulness in your life.<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/why_no_objection_to_david's_philistine_ties.htm">Why is there no mention of the Israelites objecting to David's alliance with Philistines in 1 Samuel 29, given David's notable status and background?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_can_solomon_build_the_temple,_not_david.htm">Why does God prohibit David from building the temple in 2 Samuel 7 yet allow Solomon to do so, raising questions of consistency in divine commands?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_honor_saul's_fast_if_it_led_to_sin.htm">Why would God honor Saul's command to fast when it led the soldiers to sin by eating meat with blood (1 Samuel 14:24, 31-33)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_skeptics_reconcile_saul's_death.htm">How do skeptics reconcile 'the LORD put him to death' (1 Chronicles 10:14) with the naturalistic account of Saul's death in 1 Samuel?</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>(36) <span class= "bld">The lion and the bear.</span>--The lion and the bear were, in the days of Saul, common in Palestine; the country then was densely wooded. In some of the wilder districts bears are still numerous.<p><span class= "bld">Shall be as one of them.</span>--"He, the idolator, must know that he has not to do with mere men, but with God: with a living God will he have to do, and not with a lifeless idol."--<span class= "ital">Berleburger Bible.</span><p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/17-36.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">Your servant</span><br /><span class="heb">עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḇ·de·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 killed</span><br /><span class="heb">הִכָּ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(hik·kāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strike</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lions</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֲרִ֛י</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">and</span><br /><span class="heb">גַּ֧ם</span> <span class="translit">(gam)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and</span><br /><br /><span class="word">bears;</span><br /><span class="heb">הַדּ֖וֹב</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">this</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֶּה֙</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">uncircumcised</span><br /><span class="heb">הֶעָרֵ֤ל</span> <span class="translit">(he·‘ā·rêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6189.htm">Strong's 6189: </a> </span><span class="str2">Having foreskin (uncircumcised)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Philistine</span><br /><span class="heb">הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֨י</span> <span class="translit">(hap·pə·liš·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6430.htm">Strong's 6430: </a> </span><span class="str2">Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will be</span><br /><span class="heb">וְֽ֠הָיָה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like one</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּאַחַ֣ד</span> <span class="translit">(kə·’a·ḥaḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> </span><span class="str2">United, one, first</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of them,</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵהֶ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(mê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Pronoun - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> </span><span class="str2">They</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he has defied</span><br /><span class="heb">חֵרֵ֔ף</span> <span class="translit">(ḥê·rêp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2778.htm">Strong's 2778: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pull off, to expose, to betroth, to carp at, defame, to spend the winter</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the armies</span><br /><span class="heb">מַעַרְכֹ֖ת</span> <span class="translit">(ma·‘ar·ḵōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4634.htm">Strong's 4634: </a> </span><span class="str2">An arrangement, a pile, a military array</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the living</span><br /><span class="heb">חַיִּֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḥay·yîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> </span><span class="str2">Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life</span><br /><br /><span class="word">God.”</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/17-36.htm">1 Samuel 17:36 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/17-36.htm">1 Samuel 17:36 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/17-36.htm">1 Samuel 17:36 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/17-36.htm">1 Samuel 17:36 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/17-36.htm">1 Samuel 17:36 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/17-36.htm">1 Samuel 17:36 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/17-36.htm">1 Samuel 17:36 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/17-36.htm">1 Samuel 17:36 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/17-36.htm">1 Samuel 17:36 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/17-36.htm">1 Samuel 17:36 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/17-36.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 17:36 Your servant struck both the lion (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/17-35.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 17:35"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 17:35" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/17-37.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 17:37"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 17:37" /></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>