And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.

1 SAMUEL 17:23KJV
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1 Samuel 17:23 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 17:23 mean?

1 Samuel 17:23 describes the moment when David, while speaking with his brothers, sees Goliath—the Philistine champion from Gath—come out from the Philistine army and repeat his challenge, which David hears for the first time. This verse marks the point where David directly encounters Goliath’s words and the threat he poses.

David is visiting his brothers at the Israelite camp, sent by his father, and as he talks with them, Goliath appears just as he has done before, issuing the same taunt to Israel’s army. The verse highlights the tension of the scene: David is now a firsthand witness to Goliath’s challenge, setting up David’s later response and the famous confrontation.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 17:23

  • "Champion" (אִישׁ הַבֵּנַיִם, ish habbenayim): This phrase literally means "man of the space between," describing Goliath as the one who stands between the two armies to fight on behalf of his people. It emphasizes the idea of single combat representing both sides.
  • "Spake" (דָּבַר, dabar): This word means "to speak" or "to declare." The verse notes that Goliath "spoke according to the same words," meaning he repeated his earlier challenge, which is important because it shows his persistence and the ongoing intimidation of Israel.
  • "Heard" (שָׁמַע, shama): This word means "to hear" or "to listen." The verse points out that David personally hears Goliath’s words, which is significant because it is the first time David is directly confronted with the challenge, prompting his later actions.

Why 1 Samuel 17:23 matters

  • This verse is the turning point where David becomes personally involved in the conflict with Goliath, moving from a messenger to a participant.
  • The detail that David "heard" Goliath’s words shows that David’s later actions are a direct response to what he witnessed, not just secondhand reports.
  • By mentioning Goliath’s repeated challenge, the verse underscores the ongoing fear and tension among Israel’s army, highlighting the courage it will take for someone to step forward.

Where else these words appear

“champion” Hebrew H1143 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 Samuel 17:4 And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.

“Goliath” Hebrew H1555 · used in 6 verses

  • 1 Samuel 17:4 And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.
  • 1 Samuel 21:9 And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me.
  • 2 Samuel 21:19 And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.

“armies” Hebrew H4634 · used in 18 verses

  • Exodus 39:37 The pure candlestick, with the lamps thereof, even with the lamps to be set in order, and all the vessels thereof, and the oil for light,
  • 1 Samuel 4:16 And the man said unto Eli, I am he that came out of the army, and I fled to day out of the army. And he said, What is there done, my son?
  • 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?

“same” Hebrew H428 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 2:4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,
  • Numbers 10:28 Thus were the journeyings of the children of Israel according to their armies, when they set forward.
  • 1 Chronicles 23:4 Of which, twenty and four thousand were to set forward the work of the house of the LORD; and six thousand were officers and judges: