1 Samuel 17:44

KJV

And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the Philistine {H6430} said {H559} to David {H1732}, Come {H3212} to me, and I will give {H5414} thy flesh {H1320} unto the fowls {H5775} of the air {H8064}, and to the beasts {H929} of the field {H7704}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the P'lishti said to David, "Come here to me, so I can give your flesh to the birds in the air and the wild animals."

Berean Standard Bible

“Come here,” he called to David, “and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!”

American Standard Version

And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the birds of the heavens, and to the beasts of the field.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Samuel 17:44, the Philistine giant Goliath issues a contemptuous and terrifying threat to the young Israelite David, boasting that he will deliver David's body to be devoured by scavenging birds and wild beasts. This pronouncement, intended to intimidate and demoralize David, was a profound curse in the ancient world, signifying not only a violent death but also the ultimate dishonor of an unburied corpse, deprived of proper burial rites and eternal remembrance. Goliath's arrogant words set the stage for the dramatic confrontation that would demonstrate the stark contrast between human might and divine power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment within the epic narrative of David and Goliath, found in [1 Samuel 17](/1-samuel/17 "1 Samuel 17 - David and Goliath"). For forty days, Goliath, the champion of the Philistines, had daily taunted the armies of Israel, challenging them to single combat and striking paralyzing fear into their hearts (cf. [1 Samuel 17:16](/1-samuel/17-16 "1 Samuel 17:16 - Goliath's Daily Challenge")). When the young shepherd David, visiting his brothers at the battlefront, heard Goliath's blasphemous challenge against the armies of the living God, he was moved to volunteer. Goliath's words in [1 Samuel 17:44](/1-samuel/17-44 "1 Samuel 17:44 - Goliath's Threat to David") immediately follow his initial disdain for David's youthful appearance and lack of traditional warrior equipment (as seen in [1 Samuel 17:42-43](/1-samuel/17-42 "1 Samuel 17:42-43 - Goliath's Scorn for David")). This verse serves as Goliath's ultimate declaration of presumed victory and contempt, directly preceding David's iconic declaration of faith in [1 Samuel 17:45-47](/1-samuel/17-45 "1 Samuel 17:45-47 - David's Faith-Filled Response").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, proper burial was of paramount importance, deeply intertwined with one's dignity, honor, and the well-being of their spirit in the afterlife. To be left unburied, exposed to scavengers, was considered the most egregious form of dishonor and a profound curse, signifying complete annihilation and a lack of remembrance. This was a fate reserved for the most despised enemies or those under divine judgment (cf. [Deuteronomy 28:26](/deuteronomy/28-26 "Deuteronomy 28:26 - A Curse of Unburied Bodies")). Goliath's threat was not merely about killing David but about utterly degrading him and his lineage, demonstrating his absolute power and the perceived impotence of David's God. The Philistines, known for their military prowess and advanced weaponry, would have viewed Goliath as an invincible champion, and his challenge was a common practice in ancient warfare to settle conflicts with minimal casualties.

* **Key Themes:** Goliath's boast in this verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within [1 Samuel 17](/1-samuel/17 "1 Samuel 17 - David and Goliath") and the broader narrative of [1 Samuel](/1-samuel/1 "The Book of 1 Samuel"). Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Arrogance vs. Humility**, as Goliath's overconfidence in his physical might and military superiority stands in stark contrast to David's humble reliance on God. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Human Might vs. Divine Power**, demonstrating that worldly strength, even when overwhelming, is ultimately no match for the power of the living God working through a faithful servant (cf. [1 Samuel 17:47](/1-samuel/17-47 "1 Samuel 17:47 - The Battle Belongs to the Lord")). Thirdly, the threat of desecration emphasizes the theme of **Honor and Dishonor**, particularly in the context of covenant relationship with God. Goliath's intention was to dishonor David and, by extension, the God of Israel, but the narrative ultimately reverses this, bringing shame upon Goliath and glory to God. Finally, the verse sets the stage for the theme of **God's Deliverance Through the Unexpected**, as David, an unlikely hero, is chosen by God to bring victory and demonstrate His sovereignty.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Flesh (Hebrew, _basar'_):** The term בָּשָׂר (_basar_) refers to the physical body or meat. In this context, it emphasizes the vulnerability of the human body and the utter indignity of its fate. Goliath's threat is not merely to kill David but to render his body into a mere carcass, devoid of life, honor, or proper burial. This highlights the Philistine's complete contempt for David and his God, reducing him to nothing more than animal fodder.
* **Fowls of the air (Hebrew, _'oph ha-shamayim'_):** This phrase, עוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם (_'oph ha-shamayim_), specifically refers to birds that fly in the sky, often scavengers like vultures or ravens. Their presence, along with "beasts of the field," is a common biblical motif for divine judgment or a curse, signifying a body left unburied and dishonored. It evokes a gruesome image of a corpse being torn apart and consumed, leaving no trace for remembrance or proper mourning.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the Philistine said to David, Come to me,"**: This opening clause establishes Goliath's command, an arrogant invitation to a duel he believes is already won. The imperative "Come to me" is not an offer of fair combat but a summons for David to approach his inevitable doom. It underscores Goliath's immense confidence and his perception of David as an insignificant opponent who poses no real threat.
* **"and I will give thy flesh"**: This is the core of Goliath's boast and threat. The verb "give" (נָתַן, _natan_) here carries the sense of delivering or handing over, implying a deliberate act of desecration. Goliath claims absolute power over David's life and death, asserting his intention to not only kill him but to control the fate of his body after death, turning it into an object of ultimate dishonor.
* **"unto the fowls of the air,"**: This specifies the first recipient of David's desecrated body. The "fowls of the air" (scavenging birds) represent a horrifying end, as they would strip the flesh from the bones, leaving no intact remains. This was a particularly potent curse in ancient cultures, where the integrity of the body and proper burial were crucial for dignity and remembrance.
* **"and to the beasts of the field."**: This adds another layer of horror and dishonor to the threat. "Beasts of the field" (wild animals) further emphasize the complete destruction and consumption of David's body, ensuring that nothing would remain for burial. Together with the "fowls," this imagery paints a vivid picture of a body utterly abandoned, unmourned, and consumed by the wild, a fate worse than death itself in the ancient mindset.

#### Literary Devices
Goliath's declaration in this verse is rich with **Hyperbole**, as he exaggerates his power and David's impending demise to instill maximum fear and intimidation. His words are a form of **Verbal Irony**, though unintended by Goliath, as the very fate he promises David will ultimately befall himself (cf. [1 Samuel 17:46](/1-samuel/17-46 "1 Samuel 17:46 - David's Prophetic Response")). The phrase "fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field" functions as a powerful **Idiom** or **Metonymy**, representing the complete and utter dishonor of an unburied body and a humiliating defeat. This imagery also serves as **Foreshadowing**, ironically predicting not David's demise, but Goliath's own ignominious end, which David explicitly states in his counter-boast. The contrast between Goliath's physical might and David's spiritual confidence creates a dramatic **Antithesis**, setting the stage for the narrative's central conflict.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Goliath's arrogant threat in 1 Samuel 17:44 serves as a stark illustration of human pride and self-reliance pitted against the sovereignty and power of God. His words embody the world's boastful challenges against God's people, relying on visible strength and intimidation tactics. The theological significance lies in the reversal of this threat: what Goliath intends as a curse upon David and his God, God transforms into Goliath's own fate, demonstrating that the battle truly belongs to the Lord. This narrative powerfully communicates that God's strength is made perfect in weakness, and His honor cannot be ultimately diminished by human arrogance. It underscores the principle that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves before God will be exalted.

* [1 Samuel 17:45](/1-samuel/17-45 "1 Samuel 17:45 - David's Declaration of Faith")
* [1 Samuel 17:46](/1-samuel/17-46 "1 Samuel 17:46 - David's Prophecy Against Goliath")
* [Psalm 79:2](/psalms/79-2 "Psalm 79:2 - The Bodies of Your Servants Given to Birds")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Goliath's intimidating boast in 1 Samuel 17:44 resonates deeply with the "Goliaths" we face in our own lives—overwhelming challenges, seemingly insurmountable obstacles, or adversaries who seek to demoralize and defeat us. These "Goliaths" may manifest as financial crises, health struggles, relational conflicts, professional pressures, or even internal battles with doubt and fear. Like Goliath, they often boast of their power and promise our utter defeat, attempting to strip us of our hope and dignity. This verse calls us to remember that the world's threats, no matter how formidable, are ultimately hollow when confronted with faith in the living God. Our confidence should never be in our own limited abilities or resources, but in the infinite power of the One who empowers the weak and confounds the wise. Just as David refused to be intimidated by Goliath's words and instead focused on God's honor, we are called to stand firm, trusting that the battle is the Lord's, and He will fight for us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Goliaths" are you currently facing that are attempting to intimidate you with their boasts of power and inevitability?**
* **How does Goliath's reliance on physical strength and threats compare to David's reliance on God's name and power?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to respond to overwhelming challenges with fear and despair, rather than with faith and courage?**
* **How can remembering that "the battle is the Lord's" transform our perspective and approach to the difficulties in our lives?**

### FAQ

**What was the significance of Goliath's threat to leave David's body unburied?**

Answer: In the ancient Near East, proper burial was a profoundly significant cultural and religious practice. It was believed to be essential for the dignity of the deceased, for their memory to be preserved, and for their spirit to find rest. To be left unburied, exposed to scavengers like "fowls of the air" and "beasts of the field," was considered the ultimate dishonor and a severe curse. It implied that the individual was utterly despised, unworthy of remembrance, and that their very existence was to be erased. This fate was often associated with divine judgment or the complete subjugation of an enemy. Goliath's threat was therefore not just a promise of death, but of total annihilation and the most profound humiliation imaginable, both for David and, by extension, for the God he served. It was a common motif in ancient curses and prophecies of doom, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 28:26](/deuteronomy/28-26 "Deuteronomy 28:26 - A Curse of Unburied Bodies") and [Jeremiah 7:33](/jeremiah/7-33 "Jeremiah 7:33 - Bodies as Food for Birds and Beasts").

**How does Goliath's threat contrast with David's response in the narrative?**

Answer: Goliath's threat in [1 Samuel 17:44](/1-samuel/17-44 "1 Samuel 17:44 - Goliath's Threat to David") is a declaration rooted in human pride, physical might, and a reliance on conventional warfare. He boasts of his own power and the perceived weakness of his opponent, promising a gruesome and dishonorable end. In stark contrast, David's response, particularly in [1 Samuel 17:45-47](/1-samuel/17-45 "1 Samuel 17:45-47 - David's Faith-Filled Response"), is a declaration rooted in humble faith and absolute reliance on the living God. David does not boast of his own strength or skill but declares that he comes "in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied!" He prophesies that Goliath's own fate will be the very one he threatened David with, stating that he will give Goliath's "carcasses this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth." This contrast highlights the central theme of the narrative: the clash between worldly power and divine sovereignty, demonstrating that "the battle is the Lord's" and that God uses the weak to confound the strong.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Goliath's arrogant boast and his promise to deliver David's flesh to scavengers find a profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the ultimate victory of Jesus over the powers of sin and death. Goliath, the seemingly invincible champion of the enemy, represents the overwhelming forces of evil and spiritual death that hold humanity captive. His threat of utter annihilation and dishonor mirrors the spiritual death and separation from God that sin imposes, leaving humanity's "flesh" (our mortal, fallen nature) vulnerable to decay and ultimate destruction. However, just as David, the shepherd-king, stood against Goliath not in his own strength but in the name of the Lord, so too did Jesus, the true Shepherd-King, confront the ultimate "Goliath"—Satan, sin, and death. Christ's victory on the cross disarmed the spiritual powers and authorities, triumphing over them (cf. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). He tasted death for us, but unlike the unburied corpse Goliath promised David, Christ's body did not see decay (cf. [Acts 2:27](/acts/2-27 "Acts 2:27 - Christ's Body Not Seeing Decay")). Through His resurrection, Jesus defeated the one who had the power of death (cf. [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Defeat of Death")), reversing the curse of spiritual death and offering eternal life and true honor to all who believe. Thus, Goliath's boast becomes an ironic foreshadowing of the enemy's own ultimate defeat at the hands of the greater Son of David, who ensures that His followers will never be left to the "fowls of the air" but will inherit incorruptible life.

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

Ezekiel 28:9

Wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee, I [am] God? but thou [shalt be] a man, and no God, in the hand of him that slayeth thee.

Ezekiel 28:10

Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers: for I have spoken [it], saith the Lord GOD.

Proverbs 18:12

¶ Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour [is] humility.

1 Kings 20:10

And Benhadad sent unto him, and said, The gods do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me.

1 Kings 20:11

And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell [him], Let not him that girdeth on [his harness] boast himself as he that putteth it off.

Ecclesiastes 9:11

¶ I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race [is] not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

Ecclesiastes 9:12

For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so [are] the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.