1 Samuel 17:30

KJV

And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he turned {H5437} from him {H681} toward {H4136} another {H312}, and spake {H559} after the same manner {H1697}: and the people {H5971} answered {H1697} him again {H7725} after the former {H7223} manner {H1697}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He turned away from him to someone else and asked the same question, and the people gave him the same answer.

Berean Standard Bible

Then he turned from him toward another and asked about the offer, and those people answered him just as the first ones had answered.

American Standard Version

And he turned away from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 17:30 marks a crucial turning point in the narrative of David and Goliath, showcasing David's remarkable resilience and unwavering focus amidst the discouraging words of his brother Eliab and the pervasive fear of the Israelite army. Instead of being deterred by personal attacks, David deliberately shifts his attention to continue his persistent inquiries about the Philistine giant Goliath, highlighting his unique courage and the stagnant, fearful disposition of the people around him. This verse underscores David's singular determination to address the crisis, setting the stage for his eventual confrontation with Goliath.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a heated exchange between David and his eldest brother, Eliab, as recorded in [1 Samuel 17:28-29](/1_samuel/17-28-29 "1 Samuel 17:28-29 - Eliab's Anger Towards David"). Eliab, overhearing David's questions about Goliath and the reward for defeating him, unleashes a harsh rebuke, accusing David of pride and neglecting his sheep. David's response in verse 30 is not a defensive retort or a retreat, but a decisive turning away from his brother's negativity. Prior to this, David had arrived at the battle lines, bringing provisions for his brothers, and had begun to inquire among the soldiers about Goliath's defiance and the potential reward for anyone who would defeat him, as seen in [1 Samuel 17:26](/1_samuel/17-26 "1 Samuel 17:26 - David's Initial Inquiry"). Verse 30 thus portrays David's unshakeable resolve to pursue the matter despite familial opposition, directly preceding the events that would bring him to King Saul's attention.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Valley of Elah, where the Philistine and Israelite armies are arrayed for battle, locked in a stalemate due to Goliath's daily challenge. This period was characterized by frequent skirmishes between Israel and the Philistines, a dominant military power that often oppressed Israel. The Philistines' use of a champion to decide battles was a known practice in ancient warfare, designed to minimize casualties. Goliath, described as a formidable warrior, represented a terrifying threat to the Israelite army, which was likely demoralized by forty days of his taunts. Culturally, respect for elders and family authority was paramount, making David's decision to "turn from him" (Eliab) a significant act of defiance, indicating his conviction that the matter at hand—the defiance of God's army—transcended familial hierarchy. The "reward" David inquired about would have been substantial, including wealth, the king's daughter in marriage, and tax exemption for his family, as detailed in [1 Samuel 17:25](/1_samuel/17-25 "1 Samuel 17:25 - The Promised Reward").
* **Key Themes:** [1 Samuel 17](/1_samuel/17 "1 Samuel 17 - David and Goliath") is rich with themes that converge in verse 30. **Faith vs. Fear** is central, as David's persistent inquiry stands in stark contrast to the paralyzing fear gripping the Israelite army and even his own brother. David's **Unwavering Resolve** and **Divine Calling** are evident; despite being a young shepherd boy, he demonstrates a spiritual discernment and courage absent in the seasoned warriors, foreshadowing his future role as king. The theme of **God Using the Unlikely** is powerfully illustrated, as the youngest and seemingly least significant son is the one with the spiritual insight and courage to confront the impossible. This verse also highlights **Divine Providence**, showing how God orchestrates seemingly minor interactions—like David's repeated questions—to bring about His greater purposes, ultimately leading David to his destiny.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Turned (Hebrew, _pā·nāh'_):** This verb signifies a deliberate physical and mental reorientation. David doesn't just ignore Eliab; he actively "turns away" from him, indicating a decisive disengagement from the negativity and a refocusing on the issue at hand. It implies a conscious choice to not be sidetracked by personal attacks but to maintain his objective.
* **Spake after the same manner (Hebrew, _kaddibbarim ha'elleh'_):** This phrase emphasizes the repetition and consistency of David's questions. He is not introducing a new topic or changing his approach; rather, he is reiterating his original inquiry about Goliath and the reward. This highlights David's focused determination and persistence, refusing to be silenced or diverted by Eliab's rebuke.
* **Answered him again after the former manner (Hebrew, _kaddabar harishon'_):** This parallel phrase underscores the unchanging and static nature of the soldiers' responses. Despite David's persistence, their answers remain the same, reflecting their continued fear, lack of initiative, and inability to offer a solution. This repetition powerfully contrasts David's dynamic, faith-driven inquiry with the army's static, fear-driven despair.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he turned from him toward another":** This clause describes David's immediate and decisive action following Eliab's harsh criticism. Instead of engaging in an argument or being discouraged, David physically and mentally disengages from his brother. The phrase "toward another" indicates that David did not give up on his inquiry but simply sought a different individual or group to question, demonstrating his singular focus on the challenge posed by Goliath.
* **"and spake after the same manner":** This signifies David's unwavering persistence. He repeated the exact same questions he had previously asked, concerning the reward for defeating Goliath and the disgrace of an uncircumcised Philistine defying the armies of the living God. This shows his determination to gather information and understand the situation, refusing to be intimidated or sidetracked by Eliab's personal attack.
* **"and the people answered him again after the former manner":** This final clause highlights the unchanging and unhelpful responses of the Israelite soldiers. Their answers were identical to what David had heard before, indicating their continued state of fear, paralysis, and inability to offer any new insight or solution to the Goliath problem. This repetition emphasizes the stark contrast between David's active, solution-oriented mindset and the passive, fear-bound disposition of the army.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Repetition** is prominent with the phrases "after the same manner" and "after the former manner," which powerfully underscore David's consistent, focused inquiry and the Israelite army's unchanging, fearful stagnation. This creates a strong **Contrast** between David's proactive, faith-driven spirit and the passive, fear-bound mindset of the soldiers. The scene also functions as **Foreshadowing**, as David's unwavering resolve and persistent questioning here directly precede and prepare the way for his courageous confrontation with Goliath. There is also a subtle **Irony** in that the youngest, unproven shepherd boy is the only one asking the right questions and seeking a solution, while the seasoned warriors of Israel remain paralyzed by fear.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 17:30 powerfully illustrates the principle that God often uses the humble and persistent to accomplish His great purposes, especially when others are paralyzed by fear or opposition. David's refusal to be deterred by his brother's anger or the army's despair demonstrates a profound trust in God's sovereignty and a deep concern for God's honor. His persistence is not born of arrogance but of a righteous indignation that God's people are being defied by an uncircumcised Philistine. This moment sets David apart, revealing the nascent qualities of a divinely chosen leader who prioritizes God's glory over personal comfort or human opinion. It teaches that true faith often manifests in unwavering focus and action, even when surrounded by negativity and doubt.

* [Proverbs 24:16](/proverbs/24-16 "Proverbs 24:16 - The Righteous Fall and Rise Again")
* [Galatians 6:9](/galatians/6-9 "Galatians 6:9 - Do Not Grow Weary in Doing Good")
* [Hebrews 10:35-36](/hebrews/10-35-36 "Hebrews 10:35-36 - Do Not Throw Away Your Confidence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's response in 1 Samuel 17:30 offers a timeless lesson in spiritual resilience and focused determination. In our own lives, we often encounter "Eliabs"—voices of discouragement, criticism, or cynicism, sometimes even from those closest to us, when we feel called to pursue a God-given vision or address a significant challenge. Like the Israelite army, we can also become paralyzed by fear or overwhelmed by the magnitude of a problem, leading to stagnation and inaction. David's example encourages us to actively "turn from" such negativity and to persist in our inquiries and actions, maintaining our focus on God's will and purpose. It reminds us that our primary concern should be the honor of God and the advancement of His kingdom, not the opinions or fears of others. Our consistent, faith-filled steps, even if they seem small or repetitive, can be precisely what God uses to open doors and lead us to our divine appointments.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Eliabs" or discouraging voices do you need to "turn from" in your life to pursue God's calling?**
* **Where are you being called to "speak after the same manner" – to persistently pursue a goal or truth despite opposition or apathy?**
* **How does the "former manner" of others' responses (fear, inaction) challenge or confirm your own faith and resolve?**
* **What "Goliaths" in your life or community require a David-like focus and persistence rather than paralysis?**

### FAQ

**Why did David turn from Eliab instead of defending himself?**

Answer: David's decision to turn from Eliab was a strategic and spiritually mature response. Instead of getting sidetracked by a personal argument or defending his character, David maintained his focus on the real crisis: Goliath's defiance of the living God. Engaging in a verbal battle with Eliab would have been a distraction from his primary concern and a waste of valuable time and energy. His turning away demonstrated his unwavering resolve and his prioritization of God's honor over his own reputation or familial conflict. It showed he was not driven by pride, as Eliab accused, but by a righteous indignation and a sense of divine purpose, much like Jesus who, when faced with opposition, often [turned to His mission](/luke/9-51 "Luke 9:51 - Jesus Sets His Face Toward Jerusalem") rather than engaging in fruitless debates.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's unwavering focus and persistent inquiry in 1 Samuel 17:30 powerfully foreshadow the ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment. Just as David refused to be deterred by the fear of man or the criticism of his own kin, so too did Jesus, the greater Son of David, maintain an unshakeable resolve in the face of far greater opposition. He "set his face to go to Jerusalem," steadfastly pursuing His mission despite the misunderstanding of His disciples, the hostility of religious leaders, and the ultimate prospect of the cross ([Luke 9:51](/luke/9-51 "Luke 9:51 - Jesus Sets His Face Toward Jerusalem")). While others were paralyzed by sin and death, Jesus, the true Lamb of God, persistently sought to redeem humanity, asking the necessary questions and ultimately offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His courage was not merely human bravery but divine resolve to conquer the true Goliath—sin and death—and to deliver His people from their spiritual enemies ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Destroys the Power of Death")). David's persistence in inquiring about a physical giant points us to Christ's divine persistence in confronting the spiritual giants that held humanity captive, securing an eternal victory that no earthly champion could achieve.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 17:26

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?

1 Samuel 17:27

And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.