1 Samuel 17:31

KJV

¶ And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed [them] before Saul: and he sent for him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when the words {H1697} were heard {H8085} which David {H1732} spake {H1696}, they rehearsed {H5046} them before {H6440} Saul {H7586}: and he sent {H3947} for him.

Complete Jewish Bible

David's words were overheard and told to Sha'ul, who summoned him.

Berean Standard Bible

Now David’s words were overheard and reported to Saul, who called for him.

American Standard Version

And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul; and he sent for him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 17:31 marks the pivotal moment when David's audacious and faith-filled words, spoken in response to Goliath's defiance and Israel's widespread fear, were reported to King Saul. This verse serves as the immediate catalyst, bringing the young shepherd boy, previously unknown to the king and the army, directly into the royal presence, thereby setting the stage for his legendary confrontation with the Philistine giant and initiating his public role in Israel's history as God's chosen deliverer.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically positioned within the dramatic narrative of David and Goliath, serving as the critical pivot point that elevates David from obscurity to the king's attention. Prior to this, the Philistine champion Goliath had issued a daily challenge to the armies of Israel for forty days, paralyzing King Saul and his men with fear, as detailed in [1 Samuel 17:1-11](/1_samuel/17-1-11 "1 Samuel 17:1-11 - Goliath's Challenge and Israel's Fear"). David, a young shepherd, arrives at the battlefield to deliver provisions to his brothers. Upon hearing Goliath's blasphemous taunts and witnessing the terror of the Israelite army, David is deeply indignant, asserting, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" ([1 Samuel 17:26](/1_samuel/17-26 "1 Samuel 17:26 - David's Indignation")). He expresses unwavering faith in God's ability to deliver Israel, recounting his past victories over a lion and a bear as evidence of divine protection. His bold declarations, which starkly contrast with the prevailing despair and silence, are overheard and subsequently reported, leading directly to the royal summons described in this verse.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The confrontation unfolds in the Valley of Elah, a strategically vital border region frequently contested between Philistine and Israelite territories. During this period, Israel, under King Saul, was locked in ongoing conflict with the Philistines, a formidable military power known for their superior weaponry and organized forces. The practice of single combat, where champions from opposing armies would fight to determine the outcome of a larger battle, was a recognized, though not universally adopted, custom intended to minimize casualties. Saul, as the anointed king, was expected to lead his people in battle and embody courage, yet he and his army were paralyzed by Goliath's intimidating presence. Culturally, a shepherd boy like David would have occupied a low social status, making his audacious offer to fight Goliath all the more astonishing and counter-cultural. His private anointing by Samuel in [1 Samuel 16:13](/1_samuel/16-13 "1 Samuel 16:13 - Samuel Anoints David") had not yet translated into public recognition as a warrior or leader.
* **Key Themes:** The immediate context of [1 Samuel 17](/1_samuel/17 "1 Samuel 17 - David and Goliath") highlights several profound themes. **Courage Born of Faith** is paramount, as David's audacity is not mere youthful bravado but stems from a deep, unshakeable trust in God's power and covenant faithfulness, standing in stark contrast to the fear that grips the entire Israelite army and its king. This verse also underscores **Divine Providence**, illustrating how God orchestrates seemingly coincidental events—David's visit to the camp, his indignant words, and their reporting to Saul—to bring about His sovereign purposes, specifically the defeat of Goliath and the elevation of David. Furthermore, it emphasizes **The Power of Words**, demonstrating how David's confident, faith-filled declarations, unlike the fearful whispers of others, carried sufficient weight and conviction to reach the king's ears and prompt a royal summons. This moment also marks David's transition **From Obscurity to Prominence**, as a humble shepherd boy is brought into the king's presence, not by ambition, but by the Spirit-inspired impact of his words, setting the stage for his destiny as Israel's future king, a destiny already foretold in [1 Samuel 16](/1_samuel/16 "1 Samuel 16 - David's Anointing").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Words (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This term (H1697) is more expansive than merely spoken utterances; it can refer to a "matter," "thing," "affair," or "decree." In this context, David's "words" were not just casual remarks but carried the weight of a significant declaration, an expressed intention, and a challenge to the status quo. They were weighty enough to be considered a "matter" worthy of royal attention, signifying their profound impact and substance.
* **Heard (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** The verb (H8085) implies not just the physical act of hearing, but also intelligent listening, understanding, and often, the implication of attention or even obedience. Here, it suggests that David's words were not simply overheard but were listened to and comprehended for their profound significance, their challenge to Goliath's defiance, and their potential implications for the stalled battle. The fact that they were "heard" implies they resonated with those who heard them, prompting them to act.
* **Rehearsed (Hebrew, _nâgad'_):** This primitive root (H5046) properly means "to front," i.e., to stand boldly out opposite, and by implication, to "manifest" or "announce." In this context, it means "reported" or "recounted" to someone present. It signifies a deliberate and formal act of conveying what was heard, emphasizing that David's statements were not casual or fleeting but were significant enough to be formally communicated to the highest authority in Israel, highlighting their profound impact and the unusual nature of David's bold speech.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when the words were heard which David spake":** This opening clause immediately establishes the public and impactful nature of David's declarations. His words, filled with faith and indignation against Goliath's defiance of God's armies, were not whispered in private but were spoken openly enough to be heard by others, likely members of the Israelite army and perhaps even Saul's own court. The emphasis is on the content and conviction of David's speech, which stood out amidst the prevailing fear, silence, and despair of the Israelite camp.
* **"they rehearsed [them] before Saul":** This is the crucial turning point in the narrative. The significant "words" David spoke, brimming with faith and a righteous anger against Goliath's blasphemy, were deemed so extraordinary by those who heard them that they were formally reported or recounted directly to King Saul. This act of reporting indicates that David's statements were perceived as offering a glimmer of hope, a potential solution, or at least a stark challenge to the king's inaction, thus bridging the gap between David's private conviction and his public introduction.
* **"and he sent for him":** This final phrase describes Saul's immediate and decisive response to the report. The king's summons (using the verb H3947, _lâqach_, meaning "to take" or "send for") signifies David's official entry onto the national stage. Up until this point, David was largely unknown to the army and the king, serving humbly as a shepherd. His words, however, were so striking—so filled with unusual courage and conviction—that they could not be ignored, prompting the king to personally investigate this unexpected source of defiance against Goliath.

#### Literary Devices
This verse masterfully employs **Foreshadowing** and **Contrast**. The summons of David by King Saul clearly foreshadows David's future role as Israel's deliverer and, ultimately, as its divinely appointed king. It is the initial, crucial step in his public ascent, hinting at the divine plan for his life that was set in motion by his anointing in [1 Samuel 16](/1_samuel/16 "1 Samuel 16 - David's Anointing"). The verse also highlights a profound **Contrast** between David's faith-filled words and the fear-paralyzed silence of Saul and the entire Israelite army. While the king and his seasoned warriors cower in fear, it is the audacious words of an unassuming shepherd boy that stir action. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** in that the king, who should be the courageous leader confronting the enemy, is instead brought to action by the report of a young man's faith, rather than by his own initiative or courage.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 17:31 powerfully illustrates God's sovereign hand in raising up unexpected individuals to accomplish His purposes. It underscores that true courage is not found in physical might, military prowess, or social standing alone, but in an unwavering faith in God's power and willingness to act. David's words, born of deep conviction and indignation for God's honor, serve as a potent testament to the transformative power of speech when it aligns with divine truth and is fueled by the Spirit. This moment also emphasizes that God often uses the humble, the overlooked, and the seemingly unqualified to confront seemingly insurmountable obstacles, demonstrating that His strength is made perfect in weakness. It teaches that our words, when rooted in faith and spoken in alignment with God's will, can have far-reaching consequences, influencing those in authority and initiating divine intervention in seemingly impossible situations.

* [Proverbs 18:21](/proverbs/18-21 "Power of Life and Death in the Tongue")
* [Romans 10:17](/romans/10-17 "Faith Comes by Hearing")
* [Hebrews 11:32-34](/hebrews/11-32-34 "The Faith Hall of Fame, including David")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's summons in 1 Samuel 17:31 serves as a profound encouragement and challenge for believers today. In a world often dominated by fear, doubt, or overwhelming challenges, this verse reminds us that our words, when spoken in faith and rooted in God's truth, possess immense power to shift atmospheres and catalyze divine action. Like David, we may find ourselves in situations where the "giants" of our lives—whether they be personal struggles, societal injustices, spiritual battles, or professional obstacles—seem insurmountable, and those around us are paralyzed by fear or cynicism. This verse challenges us to consider whether our speech reflects a deep, active trust in God's ability to overcome any obstacle. It encourages us to speak out boldly for righteousness, hope, and truth, even when we feel insignificant, unqualified, or when others are paralyzed by fear. Our faithful declarations, however humble their origin, can be the catalyst that stirs action, brings hope to the despondent, and ultimately opens doors for God to work in mighty ways, just as David's words led him to confront Goliath and deliver Israel.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or the world around me am I currently facing a "giant" that seems too big to overcome?**
* **How do my words in challenging situations reflect my faith (or lack thereof) in God's sovereign power and promises?**
* **Am I willing to speak out in faith, even when I feel unqualified, overlooked, or when others are paralyzed by fear?**
* **What specific steps can I take this week to align my words more closely with God's truth and promises, allowing them to be a catalyst for His work?**

### FAQ
**Why were David's words so significant that they were reported to Saul?**

Answer: David's words were profoundly significant because they stood in stark contrast to the prevailing fear, despair, and silence that gripped the entire Israelite army, including King Saul himself. While everyone else was terrified and silent in the face of Goliath's daily taunts, David spoke with unwavering faith, expressing righteous indignation that an "uncircumcised Philistine" would defy "the armies of the living God" ([1 Samuel 17:26](/1_samuel/17-26 "1 Samuel 17:26 - David's Indignation")). His confidence, rooted in his past experiences of God's deliverance (over a lion and a bear), was so unusual, bold, and compelling that it could not be ignored. His words offered the first glimmer of hope and a potential solution in a desperate situation, making them worthy of being formally conveyed to the highest authority, the king.

**What was Saul's initial reaction to David's words?**

Answer: Saul's immediate reaction, as indicated by the phrase "and he sent for him," was to summon David into his royal presence. This indicates a mixture of curiosity, perhaps a desperate hope, and a desire to personally assess this unexpected source of courage and defiance. Despite his own fear and the apparent unsuitability of a young shepherd boy as a champion, the sheer boldness and conviction of David's words were enough to prompt the king to investigate further. This summons was the critical step that brought David from obscurity into the royal court and directly into the path of his destiny to confront Goliath and ultimately deliver Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of David and Goliath, initiated by David's bold words and subsequent summons in [1 Samuel 17:31](/1_samuel/17-31 "1 Samuel 17:31 - David Summoned by Saul"), powerfully foreshadows the ultimate confrontation and victory achieved by Jesus Christ. David, the unexpected champion, steps forward when all others are paralyzed by fear, offering himself to face a seemingly invincible enemy on behalf of his people. This mirrors Christ, the true and greater David, who, though appearing in humble form, willingly confronted the ultimate enemy—sin, death, and the power of Satan—when humanity was utterly helpless and enslaved ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). David's words of faith, which led to his summons, find their ultimate fulfillment in the authoritative words of Jesus, who declared, "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Jesus Overcomes the World")). Just as David's victory brought deliverance to Israel, Christ's definitive triumph on the cross and resurrection secured eternal salvation and freedom for all who believe, disarming the powers and authorities and making a public spectacle of them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")). David, the shepherd-king, is a profound type of the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd")), the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), and the King who reigns eternally.

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

Proverbs 22:29

¶ Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean [men].