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1 Samuel 17:9

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

1 Samuel 17:9

Verse 9 of 58

Scripture focus

If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.

1 Samuel 17:9 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:9

Theological / Devotional

If I prevail. It was often the custom in ancient times to decide tribal warfare by single combat, in which the army of the losing king or leader was considered to have been defeated. When Jehoshaphat went with Ahab to war against the Syrians, the king of Damascus commanded his captains to fight “only with the king of Israel” (1 Kings 22:31). This was not, however, in single combat. When the contest was waged between the house of Saul and that of David, 12 men were chosen from each side to determine the outcome. As a result “Abner was beaten” (2 Sam. 2:12-17), though he took no part in the conflict.

By SdaBc