1 Samuel 17:16
ESV
For forty days the Philistine came forward and took his stand, morning and evening.
NIV
For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand.
NASB
And the Philistine came forward morning and evening, and took his stand for forty days.
CSB
Every morning and evening for forty days the Philistine came forward and took his stand.
NLT
For forty days, every morning and evening, the Philistine champion strutted in front of the Israelite army.
KJV
And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.
NKJV
And the Philistine drew near and presented himself forty days, morning and evening.
What does 1 Samuel 17:16 mean?
The Israelites and Philistines are gathered for war around the Valley of Elah (1 Samuel 17:1–3). This was an important east-to-west passage between the hill country of Judah and the region of the Philistines. An imposing Philistine champion—Goliath of Gath—has challenged the Israelite army to send one man to fight him. The people of whoever won that fight would be the victor of the entire battle, and the loser's people would be their servants (1 Samuel 17:4–10). The Israelites were terrified (1 Samuel 17:11).After reintroducing David (1 Samuel 16:1–23; 17:12–15), the narrator returns to the battle. Goliath's taunting was persistent. Every day, morning and evening, he would break ranks with the Philistines on their side of the valley and march down onto the plain. This warrior half again as tall as the other soldiers would issue the same challenge, twice a day, every day. This happened for forty days.
