1 Samuel 17:36
New International Version
Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God.

New Living Translation
I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God!

English Standard Version
Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”

Berean Standard Bible
Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”

King James Bible
Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

New King James Version
Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.”

New American Standard Bible
Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has defied the armies of the living God.”

NASB 1995
“Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God.”

NASB 1977
“Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Your servant has struck down both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has reproached the battle lines of the living God.”

Amplified Bible
Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted and defied the armies of the living God.”

Christian Standard Bible
Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”

American Standard Version
Thy servant smote both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

Contemporary English Version
Sir, I have killed lions and bears that way, and I can kill this worthless Philistine. He shouldn't have made fun of the army of the living God!

English Revised Version
Thy servant smote both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I have killed lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them because he has challenged the army of the living God."

Good News Translation
I have killed lions and bears, and I will do the same to this heathen Philistine, who has defied the army of the living God.

International Standard Version
Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he defied the armies of the living God."

Majority Standard Bible
Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.?

NET Bible
Your servant has struck down both the lion and the bear. This uncircumcised Philistine will be just like one of them. For he has defied the armies of the living God!"

New Heart English Bible
Your servant struck both the lion and the bear, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them. Should I not go and smite him, and remove this day a disgrace from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised one, since he has defied the armies of the living God?

Webster's Bible Translation
Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

World English Bible
Your servant struck both the lion and the bear. This uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, since he has defied the armies of the living God.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Your servant has struck both the lion and the bear, and this uncircumcised Philistine has been as one of them, for he has reproached the ranks of the living God.”

Young's Literal Translation
Both the lion and the bear hath thy servant smitten, and this uncircumcised Philistine hath been as one of them, for he hath reproached the ranks of the living God.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Also the lion and the bear thy servant struck: and this uncircumcised of the rovers was as one of them, for he God, upbraided the ranks of the living.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For I thy servant have killed both a lion and a bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be also as one of them. I will go now, and take away the reproach of the people: for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, who hath dared to curse the army of the living God?

Catholic Public Domain Version
For I, your servant, have killed both lion and bear. And so this uncircumcised Philistine, too, will be like one of them. Now I will go and take away the reproach of the people. For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, who has dared to curse the army of the living God?”

New American Bible
Your servant has killed both a lion and a bear. This uncircumcised Philistine will be as one of them, because he has insulted the armies of the living God.”

New Revised Standard Version
Your servant has killed both lions and bears; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, since he has defied the armies of the living God.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Your servant slew both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Your Servant killed both the lion and the bear. This uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, because he defied the ranks of the living God!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thy servant smote both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath taunted the armies of the living God.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thy servant smote both the lion and the bear, and the uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them: shall I not go and smite him, and remove this day a reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised one, who has defied the army of the living God?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Accepts the Challenge
35I went after it, struck it down, and delivered the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it. 36Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” 37David added, “The LORD, who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear, will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” “Go,” said Saul, “and may the LORD be with you.”…

Cross References
Judges 14:5-6
Then Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother and came to the vineyards of Timnah. Suddenly a young lion came roaring at him, / and the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him, and he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as one would tear a young goat. But he did not tell his father or mother what he had done.

Judges 15:8
And he struck them ruthlessly with a great slaughter, and then went down and stayed in the cave at the rock of Etam.

2 Samuel 21:15-22
Once again the Philistines waged war against Israel, and David and his servants went down and fought against the Philistines. But David became exhausted. / Then Ishbi-benob, a descendant of Rapha, whose bronze spear weighed three hundred shekels and who was bearing a new sword, resolved to kill David. / But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to his aid, struck the Philistine, and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, “You must never again go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel may not be extinguished.” ...

2 Kings 19:35
And that very night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!

Psalm 91:13
You will tread on the lion and cobra; you will trample the young lion and serpent.

Psalm 144:1
Of David. Blessed be the LORD, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.

Isaiah 31:4
For this is what the LORD has said to me: “Like a lion roaring or a young lion over its prey—and though a band of shepherds is called out against it, it is not terrified by their shouting or subdued by their clamor—so the LORD of Hosts will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and its heights.

Isaiah 37:36
Then the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!

Daniel 6:22
My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.”

Amos 3:12
This is what the LORD says: “As the shepherd snatches from the mouth of the lion two legs or a piece of an ear, so the Israelites dwelling in Samaria will be rescued having just the corner of a bed or the cushion of a couch.

Matthew 10:28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matthew 12:29
Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.

Mark 5:2-4
As soon as Jesus got out of the boat, He was met by a man with an unclean spirit, who was coming from the tombs. / This man had been living in the tombs and could no longer be restrained, even with chains. / Though he was often bound with chains and shackles, he had broken the chains and shattered the shackles. Now there was no one with the strength to subdue him.

Luke 10:19
Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you.

John 10:11-12
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. / The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock.


Treasury of Scripture

Your servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.

this

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?

Ezekiel 32:19,27-32
Whom dost thou pass in beauty? go down, and be thou laid with the uncircumcised…

Romans 2:28,29
For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: …

seeing

1 Samuel 17:10
And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.

Isaiah 10:15
Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.

Isaiah 36:8-10,15,18
Now therefore give pledges, I pray thee, to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them…

Jump to Previous
Armies Bear Bears Circumcision Defied Killed Lion Overcome Philistine Ranks Reproached Servant Slew Smitten Smote Struck Taunted Theirs Uncircumcised
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Armies Bear Bears Circumcision Defied Killed Lion Overcome Philistine Ranks Reproached Servant Slew Smitten Smote Struck Taunted Theirs Uncircumcised
1 Samuel 17
1. The armies of the Israelites and Philistines being ready to battle
4. Goliath challenges a combat
12. David, sent by his father to visit his brothers, takes the challenge
28. Eliab chides him
30. He is brought to Saul
32. shows the reason of his confidence
38. and slays the giant
55. Saul takes notice of David














Your servant has killed lions and bears;
David, the speaker, is a young shepherd who has faced and defeated formidable predators while tending his father's sheep. This experience demonstrates his courage and reliance on God's strength. In the ancient Near East, lions and bears were common threats to livestock, and shepherds needed to be brave and resourceful. David's victories over these animals foreshadow his ability to confront Goliath, emphasizing that God equips those He calls for His purposes. This phrase also highlights the theme of God preparing His servants through seemingly mundane tasks for greater challenges.

this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them,
David refers to Goliath as "uncircumcised," indicating that Goliath is outside the covenant community of Israel. Circumcision was a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants (Genesis 17:10-14). By calling Goliath "uncircumcised," David underscores the Philistine's lack of relationship with God and positions him as an enemy of God's people. This phrase also reflects David's confidence that God will deliver Goliath into his hands just as He did with the wild animals, reinforcing the idea that God is sovereign over all adversaries.

for he has defied the armies of the living God.”
David's motivation for confronting Goliath is rooted in his zeal for God's honor. The Philistine's defiance is not merely against Israel but against God Himself, who is described as "the living God." This title emphasizes God's active presence and power, contrasting with the lifeless idols worshiped by other nations. David's perspective aligns with the biblical theme that God fights for His people and that His name should be revered among the nations. This phrase also prefigures Christ, who zealously defended His Father's honor and defeated the ultimate enemy, sin and death, through His sacrifice.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
A young shepherd who later becomes the king of Israel. At this point in the account, he is demonstrating his faith and courage by recounting his past victories over dangerous animals.

2. Lion and Bear
These animals represent past challenges that David has overcome through God's strength, serving as a testament to his faith and God's deliverance.

3. Philistine
Refers to Goliath, the giant warrior challenging the Israelites. David sees him as another adversary to be defeated through God's power.

4. Armies of the Living God
This phrase emphasizes the spiritual battle and the honor of God’s name, which David is zealous to defend.

5. Israelites and Philistines
The two opposing forces in this account, with the Israelites representing God's chosen people and the Philistines as their adversaries.
Teaching Points
Faith in Action
David’s past experiences with the lion and bear illustrate how God prepares us for future challenges. Reflect on how God has equipped you through past experiences.

Defending God’s Honor
David’s motivation was not personal glory but defending the honor of God. Consider how you can stand for God’s truth in your daily life.

Courage through Faith
True courage comes from faith in God, not in our own strength. Identify areas in your life where you need to rely more on God’s power.

Spiritual Perspective
David saw the battle as a spiritual one, not just physical. Evaluate how you perceive challenges—are you seeing them through a spiritual lens?

God’s Deliverance
Trust in God’s ability to deliver you from your "giants," just as He delivered David. Reflect on God’s past faithfulness in your life.(36) The lion and the bear.--The lion and the bear were, in the days of Saul, common in Palestine; the country then was densely wooded. In some of the wilder districts bears are still numerous.

Shall be as one of them.--"He, the idolator, must know that he has not to do with mere men, but with God: with a living God will he have to do, and not with a lifeless idol."--Berleburger Bible.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Your servant
עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ (‘aḇ·de·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

has killed
הִכָּ֣ה (hik·kāh)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

lions
הָאֲרִ֛י (hā·’ă·rî)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 738: A lion

and
גַּ֧ם (gam)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

bears;
הַדּ֖וֹב (had·dō·wḇ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1677: The bear

this
הַזֶּה֙ (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

uncircumcised
הֶעָרֵ֤ל (he·‘ā·rêl)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6189: Having foreskin (uncircumcised)

Philistine
הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֨י (hap·pə·liš·tî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

will be
וְֽ֠הָיָה (wə·hā·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

like one
כְּאַחַ֣ד (kə·’a·ḥaḏ)
Preposition-k | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

of them,
מֵהֶ֔ם (mê·hem)
Preposition-m | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

for
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he has defied
חֵרֵ֔ף (ḥê·rêp̄)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2778: To pull off, to expose, to betroth, to carp at, defame, to spend the winter

the armies
מַעַרְכֹ֖ת (ma·‘ar·ḵōṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4634: An arrangement, a pile, a military array

of the living
חַיִּֽים׃ (ḥay·yîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

God.”
אֱלֹהִ֥ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


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OT History: 1 Samuel 17:36 Your servant struck both the lion (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 17:35
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