1 Samuel 17:23

And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard [them].

And as he talked {H1696} with them, behold, there came up {H5927} the champion {H376}{H1143}, the Philistine {H6430} of Gath {H1661}, Goliath {H1555} by name {H8034}, out of the armies {H4634}{H4630} of the Philistines {H6430}, and spake {H1696} according to the same {H428} words {H1697}: and David {H1732} heard {H8085} them.

As he was talking with them, there came the champion, the P'lishti from Gat named Golyat, from the ranks of the P'lishtim, saying the same words as before; and David heard them.

And as he was speaking with them, suddenly the champion named Goliath, the Philistine from Gath, came forward from the Philistines and shouted his usual words, which David also heard.

And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the ranks of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.

Commentary

1 Samuel 17:23 marks a pivotal moment in the iconic narrative of David and Goliath. As David, a young shepherd boy, arrives at the battle lines to deliver provisions to his brothers, he is immediately confronted with the grim reality of the ongoing stalemate between the Israelite and Philistine armies.

Context

For forty days, the Philistine champion, Goliath of Gath, had been issuing a daily challenge to single combat, daring an Israelite to face him and decide the war's outcome (1 Samuel 17:8-10). This verse describes David's precise arrival at the scene, hearing Goliath's defiant taunts firsthand. The armies were arrayed in the Valley of Elah, a significant geographical location for this confrontation. David's presence at this exact moment highlights divine providence, setting the stage for God to use an unlikely hero.

Key Themes

  • The Intimidating Challenge: Goliath's repeated "same words" underscore the Philistines' arrogance and the deep fear paralyzing the Israelite forces. His appearance was a daily reminder of their perceived helplessness.
  • Divine Timing: David's arrival is not coincidental. It is a moment of divine arrangement, placing the future king and God's anointed (1 Samuel 16:13) face-to-face with the nation's greatest threat.
  • Exposure to Reality: This verse shows David's immediate immersion into the crisis. He doesn't just hear about Goliath; he hears Goliath's taunts directly, setting the stage for his righteous indignation and subsequent action.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV term "champion" for Goliath translates the Hebrew phrase ish habbenayim (אִישׁ הַבּ֡ינַיִם), which literally means "man of the two spaces" or "man in between." This refers to a challenger who steps between two armies to engage in single combat, thereby acting as an arbiter for the entire battle. This unique role emphasizes Goliath's immense stature and the magnitude of the challenge he posed, intended to terrify and demoralize the opposing army without a full-scale engagement.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God often brings us face-to-face with our "giants" – overwhelming challenges, fears, or adversaries – at precisely the right moment. Just as David was positioned to hear and respond to Goliath's challenge, we too may find ourselves confronted by seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It calls us to observe, listen, and discern the situation, trusting that God has equipped us, even if we feel small in comparison to the task. David's response ultimately leads to the demonstration of God's power through an unexpected vessel (1 Samuel 17:45-47).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 17:8

    And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set [your] battle in array? [am] not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.

  • 1 Samuel 17:10

    And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.
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