What does 1 Samuel 17:16 mean?
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.
Verse Commentary:
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.
Verse Context:
First Samuel 17:12–23 re-introduces David (1 Samuel 16:11–13), who travels between shepherding and playing music for King Saul. This chapter seems to add detail to the earlier description of David in Saul's service (1 Samuel 16:18–21). David's father sends the young man on an errand to his three oldest brothers, camped with the rest of Israel's army in a faceoff with the Philistines. While there, David hears one of the daily challenges from Goliath, the enormous Philistine champion.
Chapter Summary:
David, delivering food to his brothers at the Israelite army camp, hears the Philistine Goliath's defiant challenge. Single man combat could decide the battle, but no Israelite wanted to face the massive warrior. David is appalled that a Philistine would defy the armies of the living God. He volunteers to fight, and King Saul agrees. Before the battle, David declares that the Lord will give victory and thereby show the world that there is a God in Israel. David quickly kills and beheads Goliath. The Israelites chase the Philistines back to their own territory and plunder their camp. David brings Goliath's head to Saul.
Chapter Context:
Saul was made king of Israel (1 Samuel 9—10) and had many early successes (1 Samuel 11—14). However, his disobedience resulted in God's plan for a different king (1 Samuel 15). The prophet Samuel anointed David as this future monarch (1 Samuel 16:11–13). David has been serving as a musician for Saul (1 Samuel 16:18–21) and comes visit his brothers during a standoff between Israelite and Philistine forces. This leads to the famous story of David and Goliath. David's victory publicly triggers his rise to power, paralleled by Saul's collapse. In the end, Saul will die in disgrace (1 Samuel 31:4–7) and David will be appointed the new king of Israel (1 Samuel 2:45:1–3).
Book Summary:
First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.
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