I Samuel 17

שמואל א׳ פרק י״ז

Section: נביאים · נביאים ראשונים | Book: I Samuel | Chapter: 17 of 31 | Day: 62 of 742

Date: April 14, 2026

קלאוד על הנ״ך

The story of David and Goliath is arguably the most iconic narrative in the entire Hebrew Bible, yet its theological depth far exceeds its popular reputation as a simple tale of the underdog. The chapter opens with a carefully constructed scene of military stalemate: the Philistines and Israelites are arrayed on opposite hills in the valley of Elah (עמק האלה), with a ravine between them, neither side willing to descend and attack. Into this deadlock steps Goliath of Gath (גלית מגת), described in meticulous physical detail — six cubits and a span tall, encased in bronze from helmet to greaves, bearing a spear whose shaft was “like a weaver’s bar” (כמנור אורגים). The narrator lavishes attention on the weight of his armor and weapons not merely for dramatic effect but to establish a theology of material power. Goliath embodies the Philistine worldview: war is decided by superior technology, physical strength, and intimidation. His challenge to single combat (איש הביניים, literally “the man of the space between”) reflects an ancient Near Eastern convention, but the text transforms it into a theological confrontation between competing visions of power.

The narrative takes a remarkable structural turn at verse 12, shifting abruptly from the battlefield to introduce David as the youngest son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, a shepherd boy shuttling between tending his father’s flock and attending on Saul. This apparent disruption of the story’s momentum is deliberate. The text insists that we see David not through the lens of warrior or hero but through the most mundane of domestic circumstances — sent by his father with bread and cheese for his brothers. Radak notes that this biographical digression emphasizes David’s humble origins precisely to magnify the miracle of what follows. When David arrives at the camp and hears Goliath’s challenge, his response is not that of a soldier calculating odds but of a believer scandalized by blasphemy: “Who is that uncircumcised Philistine that he dares defy the ranks of the living God?” (מי הפלשתי הערל הזה כי חרף מערכות אלהים חיים). The phrase “living God” (אלהים חיים) is the theological key to the entire chapter — David perceives what no one else in the Israelite camp has grasped, that Goliath’s defiance is not merely a military challenge but an affront to the divine.

The confrontation between David and his eldest brother Eliab provides an important counterpoint. Eliab’s angry dismissal — “I know your impudence and your impertinence” (ידעתי את זדנך ואת רע לבבך) — echoes the very human tendency to judge by appearances and social standing. Rashi connects Eliab’s jealousy to the earlier scene in chapter 16 where Samuel passed over the older brothers to anoint David. The motif of misperception runs throughout the chapter: Eliab sees arrogance where there is faith, Saul sees a boy where there is a champion, and Goliath sees a mere youth with a stick where there is the instrument of divine judgment. Even Saul’s attempt to clothe David in his own armor constitutes a symbolic failure — the king’s war gear, representative of conventional human power, literally does not fit the one whom God has chosen. David’s rejection of the armor (“I cannot walk in these, for I am not used to them”) is not simply practical but theological, a refusal to fight on the enemy’s terms.

David’s speech before the duel is the theological climax of the chapter: “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin; but I come against you in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the ranks of Israel” (אתה בא אלי בחרב ובחנית ובכידון ואנכי בא אליך בשם ה’ צבאות אלהי מערכות ישראל). The contrast is total — bronze against faith, human engineering against divine name. David’s declaration that “the Lord can give victory without sword or spear” (כי לא בחרב ובחנית יהושיע ה’) and that “the battle is the Lord’s” (כי לה’ המלחמה) articulates the chapter’s central teaching: military victory in Israel is never ultimately a product of human strength but of divine will. Metzudat David observes that David’s confidence derived not from recklessness but from his prior experiences with the lion and the bear, which he understood as providential preparation. The five smooth stones (חמשה חלוקי אבנים), drawn from the wadi with a shepherd’s sling, become the ultimate symbol of the disproportion between human means and divine ends.

The chapter’s conclusion raises its own set of questions. Saul’s apparent failure to recognize David — asking Abner “Whose son is that young man?” — has puzzled commentators since antiquity, given that David had been serving as his court musician. Radak suggests that Saul’s inquiry was not about David’s identity per se but about his lineage, seeking to verify whether Jesse’s family merited the promised royal marriage alliance. The final image of David standing before the king, the Philistine’s severed head still in his hand, crystallizes the chapter’s dramatic reversal: the shepherd boy who arrived carrying bread and cheese now holds the trophy that no warrior in Israel dared seek. It is a portrait not of human triumph but of divine election made manifest — the same theme announced at David’s anointing in the previous chapter, now confirmed on the field of battle for all Israel and “all the earth” to see.

פרק י״ז · Chapter 17

פסוק א׳ · Verse 1

Hebrew:

וַיַּאַסְפ֨וּ פְלִשְׁתִּ֤ים אֶ��־מַֽחֲנֵיהֶם֙ לַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה וַיֵּאָ֣סְפ֔וּ שֹׂכֹ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר לִֽיהוּדָ֑ה וַֽיַּחֲנ֛וּ בֵּין־שׂוֹכֹ֥ה וּבֵין־עֲזֵקָ֖ה בְּאֶ֥פֶס דַּמִּֽים׃

English:

The Philistines assembled their forces for battle; they massed at Socoh of Judah, and encamped at Ephes-dammim, between Socoh and Azekah.

פסוק ב׳ · Verse 2

Hebrew:

וְשָׁא֤וּל וְאִֽישׁ־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ נֶֽאֶסְפ֔וּ וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּעֵ֣מֶק הָאֵלָ֑ה וַיַּעַרְכ֥וּ מִלְחָמָ֖ה לִקְרַ֥את פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃

English:

Saul and the rest of Israel’s side massed and encamped in the valley of Elah. They drew up their line of battle against the Philistines,

פסוק ג׳ · Verse 3

Hebrew:

וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֞ים עֹמְדִ֤ים אֶל־הָהָר֙ מִזֶּ֔ה וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל עֹמְדִ֥ים אֶל־הָהָ֖ר מִזֶּ֑ה וְהַגַּ֖יְא בֵּינֵיהֶֽם׃

English:

with the Philistines stationed on one hill and Israel stationed on the opposite hill; the ravine was between them.

פסוק ד׳ · Verse 4

Hebrew:

וַיֵּצֵ֤א אִֽישׁ־הַבֵּנַ֙יִם֙ מִמַּחֲנ֣וֹת פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים גׇּלְיָ֥ת שְׁמ֖וֹ מִגַּ֑ת גׇּבְה֕וֹ שֵׁ֥שׁ אַמּ֖וֹת וָזָֽרֶת׃

English:

A championaA champion Lit. “the man of the space between,” i.e., between the armies. of the Philistine forces stepped forward;bof the Philistine forces stepped forward Or “stepped forward from the Philistine camps.” his name was Goliath of Gath, and he was six cubits and a span tall.

פסוק ה׳ · Verse 5

Hebrew:

וְכ֤וֹבַע נְחֹ֙שֶׁת֙ עַל־רֹאשׁ֔וֹ וְשִׁרְי֥וֹן קַשְׂקַשִּׂ֖ים ה֣וּא לָב֑וּשׁ וּמִשְׁקַל֙ הַשִּׁרְי֔וֹן חֲמֵשֶׁת־אֲלָפִ֥ים שְׁקָלִ֖ים נְחֹֽשֶׁת׃

English:

He had a bronze helmet on his head, and wore a breastplate of scale armor, a bronze breastplate weighing five thousand shekels.

פסוק ו׳ · Verse 6

Hebrew:

וּמִצְחַ֥ת נְחֹ֖שֶׁת עַל־רַגְלָ֑יו וְכִיד֥וֹן נְחֹ֖שֶׁת בֵּ֥ין כְּ��ֵפָֽיו׃

English:

He had bronze greaves on his legs, and a bronze javelin [slung] from his shoulders.

פסוק ז׳ · Verse 7

Hebrew:

(וחץ) [וְעֵ֣ץ] חֲנִית֗וֹ כִּמְנוֹר֙ אֹֽרְגִ֔ים וְלַהֶ֣בֶת חֲנִית֔וֹ שֵׁשׁ־מֵא֥וֹת שְׁקָלִ֖ים בַּרְזֶ֑ל וְנֹשֵׂ֥א הַצִּנָּ֖ה הֹלֵ֥ךְ לְפָנָֽיו׃

English:

The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s bar, and the iron head of his spear weighed six hundred shekels; and the shield-bearer marched in front of him.

פסוק ח׳ · Verse 8

Hebrew:

וַֽיַּעֲמֹ֗ד וַיִּקְרָא֙ אֶל־מַעַרְכֹ֣ת יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לָהֶ֔ם לָ֥מָּה תֵצְא֖וּ לַעֲרֹ֣ךְ מִלְחָמָ֑ה הֲל֧וֹא אָנֹכִ֣י הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֗י וְאַתֶּם֙ עֲבָדִ֣ים לְשָׁא֔וּל בְּרוּ־לָכֶ֥ם אִ֖ישׁ וְיֵרֵ֥ד אֵלָֽי׃

English:

He stopped and called out to the ranks of Israel and he said to them, “Why should you come out to engage in battle? I am the Philistine [champion], and you are Saul’s servants. ChoosecChoose Meaning of Heb. uncertain. your man and let him come down against me.

פסוק ט׳ · Verse 9

Hebrew:

אִם־יוּכַ֞ל לְהִלָּחֵ֤ם אִתִּי֙ וְהִכָּ֔נִי וְהָיִ֥ינוּ לָכֶ֖ם לַעֲבָדִ֑ים וְאִם־אֲנִ֤י אֽוּכַל־לוֹ֙ וְהִכִּיתִ֔יו וִהְיִ֤יתֶם לָ֙נוּ֙ לַעֲבָדִ֔ים וַעֲבַדְתֶּ֖ם אֹתָֽנוּ׃

English:

If he bests me in combat and kills me, we will become your slaves; but if I best him and kill him, you shall be our slaves and serve us.”

פסוק י״ · Verse 10

Hebrew:

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔י אֲנִ֗י חֵרַ֛פְתִּי אֶת־מַעַרְכ֥וֹת יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה תְּנוּ־לִ֣י אִ֔ישׁ וְנִֽלָּחֲמָ֖ה יָֽחַ��׃

English:

And the Philistine ended, “So I now defy the ranks of Israel. Get me a man and let’s fight it out!”

פסוק י״א · Verse 11

Hebrew:

וַיִּשְׁמַ֤ע שָׁאוּל֙ וְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֶת־דִּבְרֵ֥י הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖י הָאֵ֑לֶּה וַיֵּחַ֥תּוּ וַיִּֽרְא֖וּ מְאֹֽד׃ {פ}

English:

When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and terror-stricken.

פסוק י״ב · Verse 12

Hebrew:

וְדָוִד֩ בֶּן־אִ֨ישׁ אֶפְרָתִ֜י הַזֶּ֗ה מִבֵּ֥ית לֶ֙חֶם֙ יְהוּדָ֔ה וּשְׁמ֣וֹ יִשַׁ֔י וְל֖וֹ שְׁמֹנָ֣ה בָנִ֑ים וְהָאִישׁ֙ בִּימֵ֣י שָׁא֔וּל זָקֵ֖ן בָּ֥א בַאֲנָשִֽׁים׃

English:

David was the son of a certain Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah whose name was Jesse. He had eight sons, and in the days of Saul the man was already old, advanced in years.dthe man was already old, advanced in years Or “the man was an elder among the notables”; cf. Rashi and Gersonides. Meaning of Heb. uncertain.

פסוק י״ג · Verse 13

Hebrew:

וַיֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת בְּנֵֽי־יִשַׁי֙ הַגְּדֹלִ֔ים הָלְכ֥וּ אַחֲרֵֽי־שָׁא֖וּל לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה וְשֵׁ֣ם ׀ שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת בָּנָ֗יו אֲשֶׁ֤ר הָֽלְכוּ֙ בַּמִּלְחָמָ֔ה אֱלִיאָ֣ב הַבְּכ֗וֹר וּמִשְׁנֵ֙הוּ֙ אֲבִ֣ינָדָ֔ב וְהַשְּׁלִשִׁ֖י שַׁמָּֽה׃

English:

The three oldest sons of Jesse had left and gone with Saul to the war. The names of his three sons who had gone to the war were Eliab the first-born, the next Abinadab, and the third Shammah;

פסוק י״ד · Verse 14

Hebrew:

וְדָוִ֖ד ה֣וּא הַקָּטָ֑ן וּשְׁלֹשָׁה֙ הַגְּדֹלִ֔ים הָלְכ֖וּ אַחֲרֵ֥י שָׁאֽוּל׃ {ס}        

English:

and David was the youngest. The three oldest had followed Saul,

פסוק ט״ו · Verse 15

Hebrew:

וְדָוִ֛ד הֹלֵ֥ךְ וָשָׁ֖ב מֵעַ֣ל שׁ��א֑וּל לִרְע֛וֹת אֶת־צֹ֥אן אָבִ֖יו בֵּ֥ית לָֽחֶם׃

English:

and David would go back and forth from attending on Saul to shepherd his father’s flock at Bethlehem.

פסוק ט״ז · Verse 16

Hebrew:

וַיִּגַּ֥שׁ הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖י הַשְׁכֵּ֣ם וְהַעֲרֵ֑ב וַיִּתְיַצֵּ֖ב אַרְבָּעִ֥ים יֽוֹם׃ {פ}

English:

The Philistine stepped forward morning and evening and took his stand for forty days.

פסוק י״ז · Verse 17

Hebrew:

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יִשַׁ֜י לְדָוִ֣ד בְּנ֗וֹ קַח־נָ֤א לְאַחֶ֙יךָ֙ אֵיפַ֤ת הַקָּלִיא֙ הַזֶּ֔ה וַעֲשָׂרָ֥ה לֶ֖חֶם הַזֶּ֑ה וְהָרֵ֥ץ הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה לְאַחֶֽיךָ׃

English:

Jesse said to his son David, “Take an ephah of this parched corn and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers, and carry them quickly to your brothers in camp.

פסוק י״ח · Verse 18

Hebrew:

וְ֠אֵ֠ת עֲשֶׂ֜רֶת חֲרִצֵ֤י הֶחָלָב֙ הָאֵ֔לֶּה תָּבִ֖יא לְשַׂר־הָאָ֑לֶף וְאֶת־אַחֶ֙יךָ֙ תִּפְקֹ֣ד לְשָׁל֔וֹם וְאֶת־עֲרֻבָּתָ֖ם תִּקָּֽח׃

English:

Take these ten cheesesecheeses Meaning of Heb. uncertain. to the captain of their thousand. Find out how your brothers are and bring some tokenftoken Meaning of Heb. uncertain. from them.”

פסוק י״ט · Verse 19

Hebrew:

וְשָׁא֤וּל וְהֵ֙מָּה֙ וְכׇל־אִ֣ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּעֵ֖מֶק הָאֵלָ֑ה נִלְחָמִ֖ים עִם־פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃ {ס}        

English:

Saul and the brothersgthe brothers Heb. “they.” and everyone else on Israel’s side were in the valley of Elah, in the war against the Philistines.

פסוק כ׳ · Verse 20

Hebrew:

וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֨ם דָּוִ֜ד בַּבֹּ֗קֶר וַיִּטֹּ֤שׁ אֶת־הַצֹּאן֙ עַל־שֹׁמֵ֔ר וַיִּשָּׂ֣א וַיֵּ֔לֶךְ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוָּ֖הוּ יִשָׁ֑�� וַיָּבֹא֙ הַמַּעְגָּ֔לָה וְהַחַ֗יִל הַיֹּצֵא֙ אֶל־הַמַּ֣עֲרָכָ֔ה וְהֵרֵ֖עוּ בַּמִּלְחָמָֽה׃

English:

Early next morning, David left someone in charge of the flock, took [the provisions], and set out, as his father Jesse had instructed him. He reached the barricadehbarricade Meaning of Heb. uncertain. as the army was going out to the battle lines shouting the war cry.

פסוק כ״א · Verse 21

Hebrew:

וַתַּעֲרֹ֤ךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים מַעֲרָכָ֖ה לִקְרַ֥את מַעֲרָכָֽה׃

English:

Israel and the Philistines drew up their battle lines opposite each other.

פסוק כ״ב · Verse 22

Hebrew:

וַיִּטֹּשׁ֩ דָּוִ֨ד אֶת־הַכֵּלִ֜ים מֵעָלָ֗יו עַל־יַד֙ שׁוֹמֵ֣ר הַכֵּלִ֔ים וַיָּ֖רׇץ הַמַּעֲרָכָ֑ה וַיָּבֹ֕א וַיִּשְׁאַ֥ל לְאֶחָ֖יו לְשָׁלֽוֹם׃

English:

David left his baggage with the man in charge of the baggage and ran toward the battle line and went to greet his brothers.

פסוק כ״ג · Verse 23

Hebrew:

וְה֣וּא ׀ מְדַבֵּ֣ר עִמָּ֗ם וְהִנֵּ֣ה אִ֣ישׁ הַבֵּנַ֡יִם עוֹלֶ֞ה גׇּלְיָת֩ הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֨י שְׁמ֤וֹ מִגַּת֙ (ממערות) [מִמַּעַרְכ֣וֹת] פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים וַיְדַבֵּ֖ר כַּדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה וַיִּשְׁמַ֖ע דָּוִֽד׃

English:

While he was talking to them, the champion, whose name was Goliath, the Philistine of Gath, stepped forward from the Philistine ranks and spoke the same words as before; and David heard him.

פסוק כ״ד · Verse 24

Hebrew:

וְכֹל֙ אִ֣ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בִּרְאוֹתָ֖ם אֶת־הָאִ֑ישׁ וַיָּנֻ֙סוּ֙ מִפָּנָ֔יו וַיִּֽירְא֖וּ מְאֹֽד׃

English:

When everyone on Israel’s side saw the man, they fled in terror.

פסוק כ״ה · Verse 25

Hebrew:

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ׀ אִ֣ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל ה��רְּאִיתֶם֙ הָאִ֤ישׁ הָֽעֹלֶה֙ הַזֶּ֔ה כִּ֛י לְחָרֵ֥ף אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עֹלֶ֑ה וְֽ֠הָיָ֠ה הָאִ֨ישׁ אֲשֶׁר־יַכֶּ֜נּוּ יַעְשְׁרֶ֥נּוּ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ ׀ עֹ֣שֶׁר גָּד֗וֹל וְאֶת־בִּתּוֹ֙ יִתֶּן־ל֔וֹ וְאֵת֙ בֵּ֣ית אָבִ֔יו יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה חׇפְשִׁ֖י בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ {פ}

English:

And on Israel’s side they were saying,ion Israel’s side they were saying To each other, throughout the camp. “Do you see that man coming out? He comes out to defy Israel! The one who kills him will be rewarded by the king with great riches; he’ll also give him his daughter in marriage and grant exemptionjexemption From royal levies. to his father’s house in Israel.”

פסוק כ״ו · Verse 26

Hebrew:

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר דָּוִ֗ד אֶֽל־הָאֲנָשִׁ֞ים הָעֹמְדִ֣ים עִמּוֹ֮ לֵאמֹר֒ מַה־יֵּעָשֶׂ֗ה לָאִישׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר יַכֶּה֙ אֶת־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֣י הַלָּ֔ז וְהֵסִ֥יר חֶרְפָּ֖ה מֵעַ֣ל יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל כִּ֣י מִ֗י הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֤י הֶעָרֵל֙ הַזֶּ֔ה כִּ֣י חֵרֵ֔ף מַעַרְכ֖וֹת אֱלֹהִ֥ים חַיִּֽים׃

English:

David asked the men standing near him, “What’ll be done for the one who kills that Philistine and removes the disgrace from Israel? Who is that uncircumcised Philistine that he dares defy the ranks of the living God?”

פסוק כ״ז · Verse 27

Hebrew:

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לוֹ֙ הָעָ֔ם כַּדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּ֖ה לֵאמֹ֑ר כֹּ֣ה יֵעָשֶׂ֔ה לָאִ֖ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יַכֶּֽנּוּ׃

English:

The troops told him in the same words what would be done for the one who killed him.

פסוק כ״ח · Verse 28

Hebrew:

וַיִּשְׁמַ֤ע אֱלִיאָב֙ אָחִ֣יו הַגָּד֔וֹל בְּדַבְּר֖וֹ אֶל־הָאֲנָשִׁ֑ים וַיִּֽחַר־אַף֩ אֱלִיאָ֨ב בְּדָוִ֜ד וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ׀ לָמָּה־זֶּ֣ה יָרַ֗דְתָּ וְעַל־מִ֨י נָטַ֜שְׁתָּ מְעַ֨ט הַצֹּ֤אן הָהֵ֙נָּה֙ בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר אֲנִ֧י יָדַ֣עְתִּי אֶת־זְדֹנְךָ֗ וְאֵת֙ רֹ֣עַ לְבָבֶ֔ךָ כִּ֗י לְמַ֛עַן רְא֥וֹת הַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה יָרָֽדְתָּ׃

English:

When Eliab, his oldest brother, heard him speaking to the men, Eliab became angry with David and said, “Why did you come down here, and with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your impudence and your impertinence:kimpertinence Lit. “badness of heart.” you came down to watch the fighting!”

פסוק כ״ט · Verse 29

Hebrew:

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר דָּוִ֔ד מֶ֥ה עָשִׂ֖יתִי עָ֑תָּה הֲל֖וֹא דָּבָ֥ר הֽוּא׃

English:

But David replied, “What have I done now? I was only asking!”

פסוק ל׳ · Verse 30

Hebrew:

וַיִּסֹּ֤ב מֵֽאֶצְלוֹ֙ אֶל־מ֣וּל אַחֵ֔ר וַיֹּ֖אמֶר כַּדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֑ה וַיְשִׁבֻ֤הוּ הָעָם֙ דָּבָ֔ר כַּדָּבָ֖ר הָרִאשֽׁוֹן׃

English:

And he turned away from him toward someone else; he asked the same question, and the troops gave him the same answer as before.

פסוק ל״א · Verse 31

Hebrew:

וַיִּשָּֽׁמְעוּ֙ הַדְּבָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֣ר דָּוִ֑ד וַיַּגִּ֥דוּ לִפְנֵֽי־שָׁא֖וּל וַיִּקָּחֵֽהוּ׃

English:

The things David said were overheard and were reported to Saul, who had him brought over.

פסוק ל״ב · Verse 32

Hebrew:

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר דָּוִד֙ אֶל־שָׁא֔וּל אַל־יִפֹּ֥ל לֵב־אָדָ֖ם עָלָ֑יו עַבְדְּךָ֣ יֵלֵ֔ךְ וְנִלְחַ֖ם עִם־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֥י הַזֶּֽה׃

English:

David said to Saul, “Let no man’slno man’s Septuagint reads “not my lord’s.” courage fail him. Your servant will go and fight that Philistine!”

פסוק ל״ג · Verse 33

Hebrew:

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר שָׁא֜וּל אֶל־דָּוִ֗ד לֹ֤א תוּכַל֙ לָלֶ֙כֶת֙ אֶל־ה��פְּלִשְׁתִּ֣י הַזֶּ֔ה לְהִלָּחֵ֖ם עִמּ֑וֹ כִּֽי־נַ֣עַר אַ֔תָּה וְה֛וּא אִ֥ישׁ מִלְחָמָ֖ה מִנְּעֻרָֽיו׃ {ס}        

English:

But Saul said to David, “You cannot go to that Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a warrior from his youth!”

פסוק ל״ד · Verse 34

Hebrew:

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר דָּוִד֙ אֶל־שָׁא֔וּל רֹעֶ֨ה הָיָ֧ה עַבְדְּךָ֛ לְאָבִ֖יו בַּצֹּ֑אן וּבָ֤א הָאֲרִי֙ וְאֶת־הַדּ֔וֹב וְנָשָׂ֥א שֶׂ֖ה מֵהָעֵֽדֶר׃

English:

David replied to Saul, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, and if a lion ormor Meaning of Heb. uncertain. a bear came and carried off an animal from the flock,

פסוק ל״ה · Verse 35

Hebrew:

וְיָצָ֧אתִי אַחֲרָ֛יו וְהִכִּתִ֖יו וְהִצַּ֣לְתִּי מִפִּ֑יו וַיָּ֣קׇם עָלַ֔י וְהֶחֱזַ֙קְתִּי֙ בִּזְקָנ֔וֹ וְהִכִּתִ֖יו וַהֲמִיתִּֽיו׃

English:

I would go after it and fight it and rescue it from its mouth. And if it attacked me, I would seize it by the beard and strike it down and kill it.

פסוק ל״ו · Verse 36

Hebrew:

גַּ֧ם אֶֽת־הָאֲרִ֛י גַּם־הַדֹּ֖ב הִכָּ֣ה עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ וְֽ֠הָיָ֠ה הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֨י הֶעָרֵ֤ל הַזֶּה֙ כְּאַחַ֣ד מֵהֶ֔ם כִּ֣י חֵרֵ֔ף מַעַרְכֹ֖ת אֱלֹהִ֥ים חַיִּֽים׃ {ס}        

English:

Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and that uncircumcised Philistine shall end up like one of them, for he has defied the ranks of the living God.

פסוק ל״ז · Verse 37

Hebrew:

וַיֹּאמֶר֮ דָּוִד֒ יְהֹוָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר הִצִּלַ֜נִי מִיַּ֤ד הָֽאֲרִי֙ וּמִיַּ֣ד הַדֹּ֔�� ה֣וּא יַצִּילֵ֔נִי מִיַּ֥ד הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖י הַזֶּ֑ה {ס}        וַיֹּ֨אמֶר שָׁא֤וּל אֶל־דָּוִד֙ לֵ֔ךְ וַיהֹוָ֖ה יִהְיֶ֥ה עִמָּֽךְ׃

English:

GOD,” David went on, “who saved me from lion and bear will also save me from that Philistine.” “Then go,” Saul said to David, “and may GOD be with you!”

פסוק ל״ח · Verse 38

Hebrew:

וַיַּלְבֵּ֨שׁ שָׁא֤וּל אֶת־דָּוִד֙ מַדָּ֔יו וְנָתַ֛ן ק֥וֹבַע נְחֹ֖שֶׁת עַל־רֹאשׁ֑וֹ וַיַּלְבֵּ֥שׁ אֹת֖וֹ שִׁרְיֽוֹן׃

English:

Saul clothed David in his own garment; he placed a bronze helmet on his head and fastened a breastplate on him.nfastened a breastplate on him Heb. “clothed him in a breastplate” (cf. v. 5), because a breastplate was combined with a leather jerkin.

פסוק ל״ט · Verse 39

Hebrew:

וַיַּחְגֹּ֣ר דָּוִ֣ד אֶת־חַ֠רְבּ֠וֹ מֵעַ֨ל לְמַדָּ֜יו וַיֹּ֣אֶל לָלֶכֶת֮ כִּ֣י לֹֽא־נִסָּה֒ וַיֹּ֨אמֶר דָּוִ֜ד אֶל־שָׁא֗וּל לֹ֥א אוּכַ֛ל לָלֶ֥כֶת בָּאֵ֖לֶּה כִּ֣י לֹ֣א נִסִּ֑יתִי וַיְסִרֵ֥ם דָּוִ֖ד מֵעָלָֽיו׃

English:

David girded his sword over his garment. Then he tried to walk; butotried to walk; but Septuagint reads “was unable to walk, for…” he was not used to it. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk in these, for I am not used to them.” So David took them off.

פסוק מ׳ · Verse 40

Hebrew:

וַיִּקַּ֨ח מַקְל֜וֹ בְּיָד֗וֹ וַיִּבְחַר־ל֣וֹ חֲמִשָּׁ֣ה חַלֻּקֵֽי־אֲבָנִ֣ים ׀ מִן־הַנַּ֡חַל וַיָּ֣שֶׂם אֹ֠תָ֠ם בִּכְלִ֨י הָרֹעִ֧ים אֲשֶׁר־ל֛וֹ וּבַיַּלְק֖וּט וְקַלְע֣וֹ בְיָד֑וֹ וַיִּגַּ֖שׁ אֶל־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּֽי׃

English:

He took his stick, picked a fewpfew Lit. “five.” smooth stones from the wadi, put them in the pocketqpocket Meaning of Heb. uncertain. of his shepherd’s bag and, sling in hand, he went toward the Philistine.

פסוק מ״א · Verse 41

Hebrew:

וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔י הֹלֵ֥ךְ וְקָרֵ֖ב אֶל־דָּוִ֑ד וְהָאִ֛ישׁ נֹשֵׂ֥א הַצִּנָּ֖ה לְפָנָֽיו׃

English:

The Philistine, meanwhile, was coming closer to David, preceded by his shield-bearer.

פסוק מ״ב · Verse 42

Hebrew:

וַיַּבֵּ֧ט הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֛י וַיִּרְאֶ֥ה אֶת־דָּוִ֖ד וַיִּבְזֵ֑הוּ כִּֽי־הָיָ֣ה נַ֔עַר וְאַדְמֹנִ֖י עִם־יְפֵ֥ה מַרְאֶֽה׃

English:

When the Philistine caught sight of David, he scorned him, for he was but a lad, ruddy and handsome.

פסוק מ״ג · Verse 43

Hebrew:

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי֙ אֶל־דָּוִ֔ד הֲכֶ֣לֶב אָנֹ֔כִי כִּֽי־אַתָּ֥ה בָֽא־אֵלַ֖י בַּמַּקְל֑וֹת וַיְקַלֵּ֧ל הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֛י אֶת־דָּוִ֖ד בֵּאלֹהָֽיו׃

English:

And the Philistine called out to David, “Am I a dog that you come against me with sticks?” The Philistine cursed David by his gods;

פסוק מ״ד · Verse 44

Hebrew:

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר הַפְּל��שְׁתִּ֖י אֶל־דָּוִ֑ד לְכָ֣ה אֵלַ֔י וְאֶתְּנָה֙ אֶת־בְּשָׂ֣רְךָ֔ לְע֥וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וּלְבֶהֱמַ֥ת הַשָּׂדֶֽה׃ {ס}        

English:

and the Philistine said to David, “Come here, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field.”

פסוק מ״ה · Verse 45

Hebrew:

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר דָּוִד֙ אֶל־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔י אַתָּה֙ בָּ֣א אֵלַ֔י בְּחֶ֖רֶב וּבַחֲנִ֣ית וּבְכִיד֑וֹן וְאָנֹכִ֣י בָֽא־אֵלֶ֗יךָ בְּשֵׁם֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה צְבָא֔וֹת אֱלֹהֵ֛י מַעַרְכ֥וֹת יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר חֵרַֽפְתָּ׃

English:

David replied to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin; but I come against you in the name of GOD of Hosts, the God of the ranks of Israel, whom you have defied.

פסוק מ״ו · Verse 46

Hebrew:

הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֡ה יְסַגֶּרְךָ֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה בְּיָדִ֜י וְהִכִּיתִ֗ךָ וַהֲסִרֹתִ֤י אֶת־רֹֽאשְׁךָ֙ מֵעָלֶ֔יךָ וְנָ֨תַתִּ֜י פֶּ֣גֶר מַחֲנֵ֤ה פְלִשְׁתִּים֙ הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה לְע֥וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וּלְחַיַּ֣ת הָאָ֑רֶץ וְיֵֽדְעוּ֙ כׇּל־הָאָ֔רֶץ כִּ֛י יֵ֥שׁ אֱלֹהִ֖ים לְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

English:

This very day GOD will deliver you into my hands. I will kill you and cut off your head; and I will give the carcassesrthe carcasses Septuagint reads “your carcass and the carcasses.” of the Philistine camp to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the earth. All the earth shall know that there is a God insin So many Heb. mss. and ancient versions; other mss. and the editions read “to.” Israel.

פסוק מ״ז · Verse 47

Hebrew:

וְיֵֽדְעוּ֙ כׇּל־הַקָּהָ֣ל הַזֶּ֔ה כִּי־לֹ֛א בְּחֶ֥רֶב וּבַחֲנִ֖ית יְהוֹשִׁ֣יעַ יְהֹוָ֑ה כִּ֤י לַֽיהֹוָה֙ הַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה וְנָתַ֥ן אֶתְכֶ֖ם בְּיָדֵֽנוּ׃ {ס}        

English:

And this whole assembly shall know that GOD can give victory without sword or spear. For the battle is GOD’s, and you will be delivered into our hands.”

פסוק מ״ח · Verse 48

Hebrew:

וְהָיָה֙ כִּי־קָ֣ם הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔י וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ וַיִּקְרַ֖ב לִקְרַ֣את דָּוִ֑ד וַיְמַהֵ֣ר דָּוִ֔ד וַיָּ֥רׇץ הַמַּעֲרָכָ֖ה לִקְרַ֥את הַפְּלִשְׁתִּֽי׃

English:

When the Philistine began to advance toward him again, David quickly ran up to the battle line to face the Philistine.

פסוק מ״ט · Verse 49

Hebrew:

וַיִּשְׁלַח֩ דָּוִ֨ד אֶת־יָד֜וֹ אֶל־הַכֶּ֗לִי וַיִּקַּ֨ח מִשָּׁ֥ם אֶ֙בֶן֙ וַיְקַלַּ֔ע וַיַּ֥ךְ אֶת־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖י אֶל־מִצְח֑וֹ וַתִּטְבַּ֤ע הָאֶ֙בֶן֙ בְּמִצְח֔וֹ וַיִּפֹּ֥ל עַל־פָּנָ֖יו אָֽרְצָה׃

English:

David put his hand into the bag; he took out a stone and slung it. It struck the Philistine in the forehead; the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground.

פסוק נ׳ · Verse 50

Hebrew:

וַיֶּחֱזַ֨ק דָּוִ֤ד מִן־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי֙ בַּקֶּ֣לַע וּבָאֶ֔בֶן וַיַּ֥ךְ אֶת־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖י וַיְמִתֵ֑הוּ וְחֶ֖רֶב אֵ֥ין בְּיַד־דָּוִֽד׃

English:

Thus David bested the Philistine with sling and stone; he struck him down and killed him. David had no sword;

פסוק נ״א · Verse 51

Hebrew:

וַיָּ֣רׇץ דָּ֠וִ֠ד וַיַּעֲמֹ֨ד אֶל־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֜י וַיִּקַּ֣ח אֶת־חַ֠רְבּ֠וֹ וַֽיִּשְׁלְפָ֤הּ מִתַּעְרָהּ֙ וַיְמ��֣תְתֵ֔הוּ וַיִּכְרׇת־בָּ֖הּ אֶת־רֹאשׁ֑וֹ וַיִּרְא֧וּ הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֛ים כִּי־מֵ֥ת גִּבּוֹרָ֖ם וַיָּנֻֽסוּ׃

English:

so David ran up and stood over the Philistine, grasped his sword and pulled it from its sheath; and with it he dispatched him and cut off his head.When the Philistines saw that their warrior was dead, they ran.

פסוק נ״ב · Verse 52

Hebrew:

וַיָּקֻ֣מוּ אַנְשֵׁי֩ יִשְׂרָאֵ֨ל וִיהוּדָ֜ה וַיָּרִ֗עוּ וַֽיִּרְדְּפוּ֙ אֶת־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים עַד־בּוֹאֲךָ֣ גַ֔יְא וְעַ֖ד שַׁעֲרֵ֣י עֶקְר֑וֹן וַֽיִּפְּל֞וּ חַֽלְלֵ֤י פְלִשְׁתִּים֙ בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ שַׁעֲרַ֔יִם וְעַד־גַּ֖ת וְעַד־עֶקְרֽוֹן׃

English:

The men of Israel and Judah rose up with a war cry and they pursued the Philistines all the way to GaitGai Septuagint reads “Gath”; cf. end of verse. and up to the gates of Ekron; the Philistines fell mortally wounded along the road to Shaaraim up to Gath and Ekron.

פסוק נ״ג · Verse 53

Hebrew:

וַיָּשֻׁ֙בוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מִדְּלֹ֖ק אַחֲרֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֑ים וַיָּשֹׁ֖סּוּ אֶת־מַחֲנֵיהֶֽם׃

English:

Then the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines and looted their camp.

פסוק נ״ד · Verse 54

Hebrew:

וַיִּקַּ֤ח דָּוִד֙ אֶת־רֹ֣אשׁ הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔י וַיְבִאֵ֖הוּ יְרוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וְאֶת־כֵּלָ֖יו שָׂ֥ם בְּאׇהֳלֽוֹ׃ {ס}        

English:

David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem;ubrought it to Jerusalem Later, after his capture of that city (2 Sam. 5). and he put his weapons in his own tent.

פסוק נ״ה · Verse 55

Hebrew:

וְכִרְא֨וֹת שָׁא֜וּל אֶת־דָּוִ֗ד יֹצֵא֙ לִקְרַ֣את הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔י אָמַ֗ר אֶל־אַבְנֵר֙ שַׂ֣ר הַצָּבָ֔א בֶּן־מִי־זֶ֥ה הַנַּ֖עַר אַבְנֵ֑ר וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אַבְנֵ֔ר חֵֽי־נַפְשְׁךָ֥ הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ אִם־יָדָֽעְתִּי׃

English:

When Saul saw David going out to assault the Philistine, he asked his army commander Abner, “Whose son is that young man, Abner?” And Abner replied, “By your life, Your Majesty, I do not know.”

פסוק נ״ו · Verse 56

Hebrew:

וַיֹּ֖אמֶר הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ שְׁאַ֣ל אַתָּ֔ה בֶּן־מִי־זֶ֖ה הָעָֽלֶם׃ {ס}        

English:

“Then find out whose son that young fellow is,” the king ordered.

פסוק נ״ז · Verse 57

Hebrew:

וּכְשׁ֣וּב דָּוִ֗ד מֵֽהַכּוֹת֙ אֶת־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔י וַיִּקַּ֤ח אֹתוֹ֙ אַבְנֵ֔ר וַיְבִאֵ֖הוּ לִפְנֵ֣י שָׁא֑וּל וְרֹ֥אשׁ הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖י בְּיָדֽוֹ׃

English:

So when David returned after killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him to Saul, with the head of the Philistine still in his hand.

פסוק נ״ח · Verse 58

Hebrew:

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ שָׁא֔וּל בֶּן־מִ֥י אַתָּ֖ה הַנָּ֑עַר וַיֹּ֣אמֶר דָּוִ֔ד בֶּֽן־עַבְדְּךָ֥ יִשַׁ֖י בֵּ֥ית הַלַּחְמִֽי׃

English:

Saul said to him, “Whose son are you, young man?” And David answered, “The son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.”

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