“What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel?”
The full verse · 1 Samuel 17:26 · KJV
And to the that by him, , What shall be to the that , and taketh the from ? for who is this , that he should the of the ?
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The immediate audience consists of Israelite soldiers stationed in the Valley of Elah, but David’s second rhetorical question addresses the broader theological implications for all Israel.
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionDavid accomplishes multiple objectives by asking rather than declaring: he gathers intelligence about the king’s offer, tests the spiritual temperature of Israel’s army, and frames Goliath’s defiance as a theological offense against God rather than merely a military problem.
The Response
What Scripture recordsThe men standing near David answered by repeating what they had been telling each other: Saul promised great riches, his daughter in marriage, and freedom from taxation for the family of whoever killed Goliath (1 Samuel 17:25, 27).
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyDavid’s double question reveals a heart calibrated to God’s honor rather than personal safety. The first question seeks practical information, showing David’s interest in Saul’s reward, but the second exposes his primary concern: theological outrage. The Hebrew word arel (uncircumcised) carries covenant significance, marking Goliath as outside Israel’s relationship with Yahweh. By asking rather than asserting, David invites his fellow soldiers to share his perspective, turning their attention from the giant’s size to the giant’s audacity in challenging God. The phrase ‘armies of the living God’ (ma’arkhot elohim chayyim) emphasizes that Israel fights not merely as Saul’s militia but as Yahweh’s covenant host. David’s question format makes the answer obvious: no uncircumcised Philistine has standing to defy the living God. This rhetorical strategy transforms a military crisis into a theological scandal that demands resolution.
When everyone else sees an impossible obstacle, ask the God-centered question. David didn’t ask, ‘How can we survive this giant?’ but ‘Who does this pagan think he is, defying the living God?’ Your perspective shifts when you measure problems against God’s character rather than your own strength. When facing intimidating circumstances, reframe the challenge theologically: Is this situation beyond the God who parted the Red Sea, who raised Jesus from the dead, who promises to complete the good work He began in you (Philippians 1:6)? The ‘giants’ in your life may terrify you, but they remain uncircumcised Philistines with no covenant claim against the armies of the living God. Ask questions that remind yourself and others of whose you are before you decide what you can do. Faith doesn’t deny the giant’s size; it denies the giant’s supremacy over God.
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Keep questioning
“Why are ye come out to set your battle in array?”
“What have I now done?”
“Have ye seen this man that is come up?”
“When Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth?”