1 Samuel 17:41
New International Version
Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David.

New Living Translation
Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him,

English Standard Version
And the Philistine moved forward and came near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him.

Berean Standard Bible
Now the Philistine came closer and closer to David, with his shield-bearer before him.

King James Bible
And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.

New King James Version
So the Philistine came, and began drawing near to David, and the man who bore the shield went before him.

New American Standard Bible
Then the Philistine came and approached David, with the shield-bearer in front of him.

NASB 1995
Then the Philistine came on and approached David, with the shield-bearer in front of him.

NASB 1977
Then the Philistine came on and approached David, with the shield-bearer in front of him.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the Philistine came on and drew near to David, with the shield-bearer in front of him.

Amplified Bible
The Philistine came and approached David, with his shield-bearer in front of him.

Christian Standard Bible
The Philistine came closer and closer to David, with the shield-bearer in front of him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Philistine came closer and closer to David, with the shield-bearer in front of him.

American Standard Version
And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.

Contemporary English Version
Goliath came toward David, walking behind the soldier who was carrying his shield.

English Revised Version
And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Philistine, preceded by the man carrying his shield, was coming closer and closer to David.

Good News Translation
The Philistine started walking toward David, with his shield bearer walking in front of him. He kept coming closer,

International Standard Version
With a man carrying his shield in front of him, the Philistine kept coming closer to David.

Majority Standard Bible
Now the Philistine came closer and closer to David, with his shield-bearer before him.

NET Bible
The Philistine kept coming closer to David, with his shield bearer walking in front of him.

New Heart English Bible
So the Philistine moved forward and came near to David, and his shield-bearer was in front of him.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the Philistine advanced and drew near to David; and the man that bore the shield went before him.

World English Bible
The Philistine walked and came near to David; and the man who bore the shield went before him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the Philistine goes on, going and drawing near to David, and the man carrying the buckler [is] before him,

Young's Literal Translation
And the Philistine goeth on, going and drawing near unto David, and the man bearing the buckler is before him,

Smith's Literal Translation
And he of the rovers going, went and drew near to David; and the man lifting up the shield before him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Philistine came on, and drew nigh against David, and his armourbearer before him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the Philistine, advancing, went and drew near against David. And his armor bearer was before him.

New American Bible
With his shield-bearer marching before him, the Philistine advanced closer and closer to David.

New Revised Standard Version
The Philistine came on and drew near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And behold, the Philistine came and drew near to David; and his shieldbearer went before him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And behold, the Philistine came and drew near to David, and a man bearing a shield before him
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the Philistine came nearer and nearer unto David; and the man that bore the shield went before him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Slays Goliath
40And David took his staff in his hand, selected five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag. And with his sling in hand, he approached the Philistine. 41Now the Philistine came closer and closer to David, with his shield-bearer before him. 42When the Philistine looked and saw David, he despised him because he was just a boy, ruddy and handsome.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”

2 Samuel 21:19
Once again there was a battle with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan son of Jair the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.

1 Chronicles 20:5
Once again there was a battle with the Philistines, and Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.

Joshua 11:21-22
At that time Joshua proceeded to eliminate the Anakim from the hill country of Hebron, Debir, and Anab, and from all the hill country of Judah and of Israel. Joshua devoted them to destruction, along with their cities. / No Anakim were left in the land of the Israelites; only in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod did any survive.

Numbers 13:33
We even saw the Nephilim there—the descendants of Anak that come from the Nephilim! We seemed like grasshoppers in our own sight, and we must have seemed the same to them!”

Deuteronomy 9:2
The people are strong and tall, the descendants of the Anakim. You know about them, and you have heard it said, “Who can stand up to the sons of Anak?”

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.

1 Kings 20:11
And the king of Israel replied, “Tell him: ‘The one putting on his armor should not boast like one taking it off.’”

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!

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!

Psalm 27:1-3
Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread? / When the wicked came upon me to devour my flesh, my enemies and foes stumbled and fell. / Though an army encamps around me, my heart will not fear; though a war breaks out against me, I will keep my trust.

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

Proverbs 21:31
A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.

Zechariah 4:6
So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts.

Matthew 4:1-11
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. / After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. / The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” ...


Treasury of Scripture

And the Philistine came on and drew near to David; and the man that bore the shield went before him.

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Advanced Approached Bare Bore Closer David Drawing Drew Kept Meanwhile Nearer Philistine Shield Shield-Bearer
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Advanced Approached Bare Bore Closer David Drawing Drew Kept Meanwhile Nearer Philistine Shield Shield-Bearer
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














Now the Philistine came closer and closer to David
This phrase sets the scene for the impending confrontation between David and Goliath. The Philistine, Goliath, represents the formidable enemy of Israel, both physically and spiritually. His approach signifies the growing threat against God's people. In the broader biblical narrative, the Philistines were a constant adversary to Israel, often symbolizing the forces of the world opposed to God's covenant people. This moment is a pivotal point in the story, highlighting the courage and faith of David, who stands firm despite the intimidating presence of Goliath. Theologically, this can be seen as a test of faith, where David's reliance on God contrasts with the Philistine's reliance on physical might.

with his shield-bearer before him
The presence of a shield-bearer indicates the level of Goliath's status and the seriousness of the battle. In ancient warfare, a shield-bearer was an attendant who carried a large shield to protect the warrior, allowing the fighter to focus on offense. This detail emphasizes Goliath's formidable nature and the military practices of the time. It also underscores the disparity between Goliath and David, as David approaches without such protection, relying instead on his faith in God. This can be seen as a foreshadowing of the victory of faith over physical strength, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture. The shield-bearer, though a minor character, highlights the contrast between human reliance on armor and God's provision for those who trust in Him.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Philistine (Goliath)
A giant warrior from Gath, representing the Philistine army. Known for his immense size and strength, Goliath is a formidable opponent who challenges the Israelites.

2. David
A young shepherd boy, anointed by God to be the future king of Israel. He is known for his faith and courage, trusting in God rather than physical might.

3. Shield-bearer
An assistant to Goliath, responsible for carrying and managing the shield, providing additional protection for the giant.

4. The Valley of Elah
The battlefield where the confrontation between David and Goliath takes place, symbolizing the spiritual and physical battlegrounds we face in life.

5. The Philistine Army
Represents the enemies of Israel, often seen as a symbol of the spiritual forces that oppose God's people.
Teaching Points
Faith Over Fear
David's approach to Goliath teaches us to trust in God's power rather than our own abilities or the intimidating circumstances we face.

Spiritual Preparation
Just as David was spiritually prepared through his relationship with God, we must be spiritually equipped to face life's challenges.

God's Sovereignty
The account underscores God's control over all situations, reminding us that He can use the unlikely and the humble to achieve His purposes.

Courage in Action
David's courage was not passive; it was demonstrated through action. We are called to act on our faith, stepping out in confidence in God's promises.

The Power of God's Anointing
David was anointed by God, which empowered him to face Goliath. Believers today are empowered by the Holy Spirit to overcome spiritual battles.Verses 41-44. - When David had crossed the ravine, Goliath and his armour bearer advanced towards him; and when he saw that the Israelite champion was but a lad (see ver. 33), with red hair, which added to his youthful appearance, and handsome, but with nothing more than a staff in his hand, he regarded this light equipment as an insult, and asks, Am I a dog, - an animal held in great aversion in the East, - that thou comest to me with staves? The plural is used as a contemptuous generalisation, but the Septuagint is offended at it, and with amusing matter of fact exactness translates, "With a staff and stones." And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. The Hebrew is singular, "by his god," i.e. the deity whom he had selected to be his especial patron.

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

came
וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ (way·yê·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

closer
וְקָרֵ֖ב (wə·qā·rêḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7131: Approaching

and closer to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

David,
דָּוִ֑ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

with his shield-bearer
וְהָאִ֛ישׁ (wə·hā·’îš)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

before him.
לְפָנָֽיו׃ (lə·p̄ā·nāw)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face


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OT History: 1 Samuel 17:41 The Philistine came on and drew near (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 17:40
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