1 Samuel 17:36

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.

Thy servant {H5650} slew {H5221} both the lion {H738} and the bear {H1677}: and this uncircumcised {H6189} Philistine {H6430} shall be as one {H259} of them, seeing he hath defied {H2778} the armies {H4634} of the living {H2416} God {H430}.

Your servant has defeated both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised P'lishti will be like one of them, because he has challenged the armies of the living God."

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.”

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.

Commentary

In 1 Samuel 17:36, David stands before King Saul, boldly articulating his conviction that he is capable of defeating the giant Philistine, Goliath. This verse is a pivotal moment in the narrative, revealing the depth of David's faith and the source of his extraordinary courage.

Context

This verse is part of David's impassioned plea to King Saul, who is hesitant to allow a young shepherd boy to face the formidable champion, Goliath. The Israelite army is paralyzed by fear, and Goliath has been taunting them for forty days (1 Samuel 17:10). David, having arrived at the battlefront, is indignant at Goliath's defiance of Israel and, more importantly, of God. To convince Saul, David recounts his past experiences as a shepherd, where he single-handedly protected his flock from predatory beasts.

Key Themes

  • Faith and Divine Deliverance: David's confidence isn't in his own strength or skill, but in God's proven faithfulness. He attributes his victories over the lion and the bear to divine aid, which gives him assurance that God will also deliver him from Goliath. This highlights a foundational biblical principle: God's past faithfulness is a guarantee for future challenges.
  • Courage Born of Conviction: Unlike the fearful Israelite soldiers, David possesses unwavering courage. This courage is not recklessness but a deep-seated conviction rooted in his personal relationship with God and his understanding of God's power.
  • Zeal for God's Honor: David is profoundly offended that Goliath has "defied the armies of the living God." For David, this is not merely a military conflict but a spiritual battle where God's reputation is at stake. His primary motivation is to uphold the honor of the Lord, a theme further emphasized in his famous declaration that the battle is the LORD's in 1 Samuel 17:47.
  • The Uncircumcised Philistine: David's use of "uncircumcised Philistine" is a derogatory term emphasizing Goliath's status as an outsider to God's covenant people. It underscores the spiritual divide between the Philistines, who served pagan gods, and Israel, who served the "living God."

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "armies of the living God" is highly significant. It contrasts the true, active God of Israel with the lifeless idols of the Philistines. David recognizes that the Israelite forces are not just Saul's army, but God's own army, and therefore, an attack on them is an attack on God Himself. The term "living God" emphasizes God's active presence and power, distinguishing Him from dead deities.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful lessons for believers today. Like David, we face "giants" in our lives—challenges, fears, and adversaries that seem insurmountable. David's response teaches us to:

  • Remember God's Past Faithfulness: Reflect on how God has delivered you in the past. These experiences build faith for current and future struggles.
  • Face Challenges with God-Given Courage: Our confidence should not be in our own abilities but in the God who empowers us.
  • Prioritize God's Honor: When we face opposition, remember that God's name and reputation are often at stake. Our response should reflect our commitment to honoring Him, just as David did when he considered Goliath's challenge a direct affront to God.
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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 17:10 (4 votes)

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

  • Isaiah 37:22 (2 votes)

    This [is] the word which the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin, the daughter of Zion, hath despised thee, [and] laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.

  • Isaiah 37:23 (2 votes)

    Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted [thy] voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? [even] against the Holy One of Israel.

  • Acts 12:22 (2 votes)

    And the people gave a shout, [saying, It is] the voice of a god, and not of a man.

  • Acts 12:23 (2 votes)

    And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

  • Ezekiel 32:27 (2 votes)

    And they shall not lie with the mighty [that are] fallen of the uncircumcised, which are gone down to hell with their weapons of war: and they have laid their swords under their heads, but their iniquities shall be upon their bones, though [they were] the terror of the mighty in the land of the living.

  • Ezekiel 32:32 (2 votes)

    For I have caused my terror in the land of the living: and he shall be laid in the midst of the uncircumcised with [them that are] slain with the sword, [even] Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD.