1 Samuel 17:26
And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
Study Note
Study Note
David's question 'what shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?' reframes Goliath's challenge from a military problem into a theological one. The phrase 'uncircumcised Philistine' situates the confrontation within the covenant sign-theology of Genesis 17: the circumcised community stands under divine protection, the uncircumcised outside it. The title 'living God' (Elohim hayyim) — God who acts, who speaks, who is genuinely present — contrasts implicitly with the lifeless gods of the Philistines whose champion acts as their representative. The narrative has been interpreted typologically as Christ's victory over the representative of the kingdom of death, and as a model for faith-based courage over apparent power disparities.
Other Translations
And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
And David speaketh unto the men who are standing by him, saying, `What is done to the man who smiteth this Philistine, and hath turned aside reproach from Israel? for who <FI>is<Fi> this uncircumcised Philistine that he hath reproached the ranks of the living God?'
And David said to the men near him, What will be done to the man who overcomes this Philistine and takes away the shame from Israel? for who is this Philistine, a man without circumcision, that he has put shame on the armies of the living God?
Cross References
For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the …
O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies!
For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and …
And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust …
And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison …
And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight …
Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing …
It may be the Lord thy God will hear all the words of Rab–shakeh, whom the king of Assyria his …
Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our …
Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.