1 Samuel 17:56
New International Version
The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.”

New Living Translation
“Well, find out who he is!” the king told him.

English Standard Version
And the king said, “Inquire whose son the boy is.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Find out whose son this young man is!” said the king.

King James Bible
And the king said, Inquire thou whose son the stripling is.

New King James Version
So the king said, “Inquire whose son this young man is.

New American Standard Bible
And the king said, “You then, ask whose son the youth is.”

NASB 1995
The king said, “You inquire whose son the youth is.”

NASB 1977
And the king said, “You inquire whose son the youth is.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And the king said, “You inquire whose son the youth is.”

Amplified Bible
The king said, “Ask whose son the young man is.”

Christian Standard Bible
The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is!”

American Standard Version
And the king said, Inquire thou whose son the stripling is.

Contemporary English Version
"Then find out!" Saul told him.

English Revised Version
And the king said, Inquire thou whose son the stripling is.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The king said, "Find out whose son this young man is."

Good News Translation
"Then go and find out," Saul ordered.

International Standard Version
The king replied, "Go find out whose son the young man is."

Majority Standard Bible
?Find out whose son this young man is!? said the king.

NET Bible
The king said, "Find out whose son this boy is!"

New Heart English Bible
The king said, "Inquire whose son that young man is."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the king said, Inquire thou whose son the stripling is.

World English Bible
The king said, “Inquire whose son the young man is!”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the king says, “Ask whose son this [is]—the young man.”

Young's Literal Translation
And the king saith, 'Ask thou whose son this is -- the young man.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king will say, Ask thou whose son this youth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the king said: Inquire thou, whose son this man is.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the king said, “You shall inquire as to whose son this boy may be.”

New American Bible
And the king said, “Find out whose son the lad is.”

New Revised Standard Version
The king said, “Inquire whose son the stripling is.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the king said, Inquire whose son this young man is.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the King said: “Ask whose son this young man is”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the king said: 'Inquire thou whose son the stripling is.'

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Slays Goliath
55As Saul had watched David going out to confront the Philistine, he said to Abner the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” “As surely as you live, O king,” Abner replied, “I do not know.” 56“Find out whose son this young man is!” said the king. 57So when David returned from killing the Philistine, still holding his head in his hand, Abner took him and brought him before Saul.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 16:12
So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.”

1 Samuel 16:18
One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a mighty man of valor, a warrior, eloquent and handsome, and the LORD is with him.”

1 Samuel 17:12-15
Now David was the son of a man named Jesse, an Ephrathite from Bethlehem of Judah who had eight sons. And in the days of Saul, Jesse was old and well along in years. / The three older sons of Jesse had followed Saul into battle: The firstborn was Eliab, the second was Abinadab, and the third was Shammah. / And David was the youngest. The three oldest had followed Saul, ...

1 Samuel 17:33
But Saul replied, “You cannot go out against this Philistine to fight him. You are just a boy, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”

1 Samuel 17:42
When the Philistine looked and saw David, he despised him because he was just a boy, ruddy and handsome.

1 Samuel 17:55
As Saul had watched David going out to confront the Philistine, he said to Abner the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” “As surely as you live, O king,” Abner replied, “I do not know.”

1 Samuel 18:5-7
So David marched out and prospered in everything Saul sent him to do, and Saul set him over the men of war. And this was pleasing in the sight of all the people, and of Saul’s officers as well. / As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other instruments. / And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”

1 Samuel 18:17-19
Then Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage. Only be valiant for me and fight the LORD’s battles.” But Saul was thinking, “I need not raise my hand against him; let the hand of the Philistines be against him.” / And David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my father’s clan in Israel, that I should become the son-in-law of the king?” / So when it was time to give Saul’s daughter Merab to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah.

1 Samuel 18:22-23
Then Saul ordered his servants, “Speak to David privately and tell him, ‘Behold, the king is pleased with you, and all his servants love you. Now therefore, become his son-in-law.’” / But when Saul’s servants relayed these words to David, he replied, “Does it seem trivial in your sight to be the son-in-law of the king? I am a poor man and lightly esteemed.”

1 Samuel 18:28-30
When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, / he grew even more afraid of David. So from then on Saul was David’s enemy. / Every time the Philistine commanders came out for battle, David was more successful than all of Saul’s officers, so that his name was highly esteemed.

1 Samuel 19:4-5
Then Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul and said to him, “The king should not sin against his servant David; he has not sinned against you. In fact, his actions have been highly beneficial to you. / He took his life in his hands when he struck down the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced, so why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?”

1 Samuel 20:30-31
Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you? / For as long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Now send for him and bring him to me, for he must surely die!”

1 Samuel 21:10-11
That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath. / But the servants of Achish said to him, “Is this not David, the king of the land? Did they not sing about him in their dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”

1 Samuel 22:9-10
But Doeg the Edomite, who had stationed himself with Saul’s servants, answered: “I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob. / Ahimelech inquired of the LORD for him and gave him provisions. He also gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”

1 Samuel 24:16-17
When David had finished saying these things, Saul called back, “Is that your voice, David my son?” Then Saul wept aloud / and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil.


Treasury of Scripture

And the king said, Inquire you whose son the stripling is.

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Inquire Search Young Youth
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














Find out whose son
In ancient Israel, lineage and family heritage were of great importance. Knowing someone's father often provided insight into their social standing, tribe, and potential alliances. This request by the king reflects the cultural emphasis on genealogy, as seen throughout the Old Testament, such as in the genealogies of Genesis and the detailed records in Chronicles. It also highlights the importance of family identity in understanding one's role and future within the community.

this young man
The phrase "young man" refers to David, who at this point in the narrative has just defeated Goliath. David's youth is significant, as it underscores the miraculous nature of his victory over the seasoned warrior Goliath. This victory is a testament to God's power working through the seemingly weak and insignificant, a theme echoed in other biblical narratives, such as Gideon's victory over the Midianites (Judges 7). David's youth also foreshadows his future as a young king chosen by God, reminiscent of Joseph's rise to power in Egypt.

is!
The exclamation point indicates the king's urgency and curiosity. This reflects the unexpected nature of David's triumph and the king's immediate interest in understanding more about him. The king's reaction can be seen as a turning point in David's life, marking the beginning of his rise to prominence in Israel.

said the king.
The king in this context is Saul, the first king of Israel. Saul's inquiry about David's lineage is significant because it marks the beginning of a complex relationship between Saul and David. Saul's initial interest in David eventually turns to jealousy and fear as David's popularity and success grow. This dynamic is a critical element in the narrative of 1 Samuel, illustrating the themes of divine favor, human jealousy, and the transition of leadership from Saul to David. Saul's reign and his interactions with David also serve as a backdrop for understanding the establishment of the Davidic covenant, which is central to the messianic prophecies fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. King Saul
The first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. At this point in the account, Saul is leading Israel against the Philistines and is curious about David's lineage after David's victory over Goliath.

2. David
A young shepherd who has just defeated Goliath, the Philistine giant. His victory is a pivotal moment in his rise to prominence in Israel.

3. Goliath
The Philistine giant who defied the armies of Israel and was defeated by David with a sling and a stone.

4. Israelites and Philistines
The two opposing forces in this battle. The Israelites are God's chosen people, while the Philistines are their adversaries.

5. Jesse
David's father, whose lineage is of interest to King Saul following David's victory.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Choosing Leaders
God often chooses unlikely individuals to fulfill His purposes, as seen in David's rise from shepherd to king. This reminds us to trust in God's wisdom and timing.

The Importance of Character Over Lineage
While Saul is interested in David's family background, God is more concerned with David's heart. This teaches us to value character and faithfulness over worldly status or heritage.

Courage and Faith in Action
David's victory over Goliath is a testament to his faith in God. We are encouraged to face our own "giants" with the same trust in God's power and provision.

God's Plan and Timing
David's journey from shepherd to king was part of God's divine plan. We are reminded to be patient and faithful, trusting that God is working in our lives even when we don't see immediate results.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Find out
שְׁאַ֣ל (šə·’al)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

whose
מִי־ (mî-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

this
זֶ֖ה (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

young man is!”
הָעָֽלֶם׃ (hā·‘ā·lem)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5958: Something kept out of sight, a lad

said
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

the king.
הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king


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OT History: 1 Samuel 17:56 The king said Inquire whose son (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 17:55
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