The Church Fathers on this verse

1 Kingdoms (1 Samuel) 17:26Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And David spoke to the men that stood by him, saying: What shall be given to the man that shall kill this Philistine, and shall take away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

Douay-Rheims

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

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

John Chrysostom

4th centuryChurch Father

He who loves Christ also cares for His flock. Similarly, David ascended to his throne after demonstrating his dedication to his fellow countrymen. Even in his youth, he felt deep sorrow for his people, willing to give his life for them when he defeated a foreign enemy. Although he inquired, "What will be done to the man who kills this Philistine?" he did not ask out of desire for a reward; rather, he longed for the trust and opportunity to engage in battle. Consequently, upon returning to the king after his triumph, he made no mention of his conquest.

Read more (127 words)

So David arrived, anointed with oil, and left equipped with royal authority—not relying on armor, shield, or spear, but on the favor of God, who is the greatest protector of all. Motivated by the battle, he went to witness the conflict and encountered a foreigner challenging the Israelites to single combat, a challenge no one was willing to accept. David then boldly exclaimed, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that taunts the army of the living God?" When asked about his boldness, he replied, "It is not arrogance but faith; my strength lies not in weapons but in devotion. I do not focus on his physical might but on his weakness, much like I do not regard the size of the vessel but its lack of a captain.”

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Passages read together with this verse.