Bible Strands
1 Samuel 17:26
David asked the men who were standing with him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Just who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David addresses the soldiers standing near him after hearing the king’s promise to reward Goliath’s slayer. He questions the men about the specific reward while contrasting the Philistine’s public defiance with the honor due to Israel’s God.
The words — The Hebrew לֵ/אמֹר (le./Mor) introduces David’s inquiry, and מַה (mah) asks what specific action will be taken. These terms frame his challenge to the troops regarding the promised honor and the stature of the enemy.
The thread — The phrase “armies of the living God” echoes Deuteronomy 5:26, which references the voice of the living God. The title “uncircumcised Philistine” parallels Jonathan’s description of enemy outposts in 1 Samuel 14:6.
Why it lands — The text demands a reader to weigh earthly rewards against spiritual defiance. It asks whether one values the king’s promise more than the honor due to God’s living armies.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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 is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 5:26 For who of all flesh has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the fire, as we have, and survived?
- 1 Samuel 11:2 But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you on one condition, that I may put out everyone’s right eye and bring reproach upon all Israel.”
- 1 Samuel 14:6 Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”
- 1 Samuel 17:10 Then the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day! Give me a man to fight!”
- 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.”
- 2 Kings 19:4 Perhaps the LORD your God will hear all the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to defy the living God, and He will rebuke him for the words that the LORD your God has heard. Therefore lift up a prayer for the remnant that still survives.”
- Joshua 7:8 O Lord, what can I say, now that Israel has turned its back and run from its enemies?
- Nehemiah 5:9 So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our foreign enemies?
- Psalms 44:13 You have made us a reproach to our neighbors, a mockery and derision to those around us.
- Jeremiah 10:10 But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and eternal King. The earth quakes at His wrath, and the nations cannot endure His indignation.