1 Samuel 17:42 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance.

NIV: He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him.

NASB: When the Philistine looked and saw David, he was contemptuous of him; for he was only a youth, and reddish, with a handsome appearance.

CSB: When the Philistine looked and saw David, he despised him because he was just a youth, healthy and handsome.

NLT: sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy.

KJV: And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.

NKJV: And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking.

To say that Goliath was a confident man would be a massive understatement. When he went out alone into the field and approached the battle line of the Israelite soldiers, they fled (1 Samuel 17:24). He was an intimidating warrior of the fearsome Philistine army covered head-to-toe with the best armor and carrying with him enormous battle weapons (1 Samuel 17:4–7). He, and nearly everyone else, believed he was unbeatable in one-on-one combat (1 Samuel 17:8–11).

Now, after forty days (1 Samuel 17:16), a man has been sent from the ranks of the Israelites to respond to his challenge. But as David gets closer, Goliath realizes he is just a youth (1 Samuel 17:12–15, 33), apparently without armor (1 Samuel 17:39–40). The text mentions David's appearance (1 Samuel 16:12), perhaps suggesting from Goliath's perspective that David is merely a "pretty boy" and does not in any way have the appearance of a warrior. Goliath has no respect for this challenger.

First Samuel 17:41–54 describes a world-renowned fight. Goliath is a Philistine giant armed with massive weapons. David is a teenager armed only with his shepherd's sling: a long leather strap used to throw hand-sized stones at deadly speed. Goliath mocks David, and the Lord. David replies by expressing faith and vowing to cut off Goliath's head. As the two approach each other, David slings a stone into Goliath's forehead, crushing the giant's skull. The Philistine falls, and David runs up to remove Goliath's sword, making good on his promise to behead the enemy. The Philistine army panics, flees, and the Israelite army follows to complete the victory.

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.

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).

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.

Accessed 1/25/2025 8:44:06 PM