1 Samuel 17:58

And Saul said to him, Whose son [art] thou, [thou] young man? And David answered, I [am] the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.

And Saul {H7586} said {H559} to him, Whose son {H1121} art thou, thou young man {H5288}? And David {H1732} answered {H559}, I am the son {H1121} of thy servant {H5650} Jesse {H3448} the Bethlehemite {H1022}.

Sha'ul asked him, "Young man, whose son are you?" David answered, "I am the son of your servant Yishai the Beit-Lachmi."

“Whose son are you, young man?” asked Saul. “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem,” David replied.

And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Beth-lehemite.

Commentary

1 Samuel 17:58 captures a pivotal moment immediately after David’s monumental victory over Goliath, revealing King Saul’s astonished inquiry into the young hero’s identity and David’s humble response. This exchange sets the stage for David’s dramatic rise in Israel.

Context

This verse concludes the epic confrontation between David and Goliath. Having just witnessed David’s incredible feat, King Saul, who had already inquired about David's parentage from Abner (1 Samuel 17:55-56), now directly asks David himself. This inquiry is likely driven by the custom of honoring the family of a great warrior, and perhaps by the reward promised to the one who defeated Goliath, which included great riches and freedom from taxes for his father’s house (1 Samuel 17:25). It's significant that David had previously served in Saul's court as a musician and armor-bearer (1 Samuel 16:21), highlighting either Saul's forgetfulness or his inability to connect the young harpist with the fearless giant-slayer.

Key Themes

  • Identity and Lineage: In ancient Israelite society, one's family and tribal background were fundamental to their identity, status, and recognition. Saul's question underscores this cultural importance, as he seeks to place David within the social fabric of the nation.
  • Humility in Triumph: Despite having just performed an act of immense courage that saved his nation, David's reply is remarkably simple and without boast. He identifies himself as "the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite," showcasing a profound humility that would characterize much of his early life.
  • Divine Providence and Unexpected Heroes: This moment vividly illustrates God's method of choosing and empowering the unlikely. David, a seemingly insignificant shepherd from Bethlehem (1 Samuel 16:11), was divinely chosen and anointed (1 Samuel 16:13) to deliver Israel, setting the stage for his future as king.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Bethlehemite" simply designates David's origin from the town of Bethlehem. While seemingly a minor geographical detail, Bethlehem holds immense prophetic significance. It was later prophesied to be the birthplace of the Messiah (Micah 5:2), directly linking David's lineage and hometown to that of Jesus Christ, the ultimate King and Savior.

Significance and Application

This verse marks David's formal introduction to the royal court and the beginning of his public life, moving him from the sheepfolds to the palace. It teaches us that true greatness is often found not in outward appearance or social standing, but in character, courage, and divine favor. David's humble response in the face of extraordinary success provides a powerful lesson in maintaining humility regardless of our achievements. For believers, it reinforces the truth that God often chooses the "foolish things of the world to confound the wise" and the "weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty" (1 Corinthians 1:27), demonstrating His power through unexpected vessels.

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 17:12

    ¶ Now David [was] the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name [was] Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men [for] an old man in the days of Saul.

  • 1 Samuel 16:18

    Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, [that is] cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD [is] with him.

  • 1 Samuel 16:19

    Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which [is] with the sheep.
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