1 Samuel 17:43 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 17:43 mean?

In 1 Samuel 17:43, the Philistine treats David’s approach as an insult. David has come with a staff rather than the weapons the Philistine expects from an opponent. The Philistine responds with a curse spoken in the name of his gods.

His question, “Am I a dog,” makes the staff sound fit for driving off an animal, not fighting a warrior. After looking at David with contempt in verse 42, the Philistine now puts that contempt into words.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 17:43

• “staves” — מַקֵּל (maqqel): This word can mean a stick, staff, or rod. The KJV’s plural “staves” reflects the form used in the Philistine’s question, though the account also mentions David’s staff in the singular.
• “cursed” — קָלַל (qalal): This word can carry the sense of treating someone as of little account, as well as cursing them. Here the Philistine directs a curse at David by his gods.

Why 1 Samuel 17:43 matters

• The Philistine judges David by what he can see. His question about “staves” focuses on David’s equipment, while verse 42 records his contempt for David’s youthful appearance.
• The exchange is also about whose name each fighter invokes. The Philistine curses David “by his gods,” while David answers in verse 45 that he comes in the name of the LORD.
• The plural “staves” in the Philistine’s speech need not mean David carried several staffs. Verse 40 mentions David’s staff and also the shepherd’s bag in which he put his stones.