Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, New Living Translation But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, English Standard Version But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, Berean Standard Bible David replied, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, Berean Literal Bible And David said to Saul, “Your servant has been pasturing the sheep of his father, and the lion or the bear came and carried away a lamb out of the flock, King James Bible And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: New King James Version But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, New American Standard Bible But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a sheep from the flock, NASB 1995 But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, NASB 1977 But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, Legacy Standard Bible But David said to Saul, “Your servant was shepherding his father’s sheep. And a lion and a bear would come and take a lamb from the flock, Amplified Bible But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, Berean Annotated Bible David (beloved) replied (desired), “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, Christian Standard Bible David answered Saul, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep. Whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, Holman Christian Standard Bible David answered Saul: “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep. Whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, American Standard Version And David said unto Saul, Thy servant was keeping his father's sheep; and when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock, Contemporary English Version But David told him: Your Majesty, I take care of my father's sheep. And when one of them is dragged off by a lion or a bear, English Revised Version And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep; and when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock, GOD'S WORD® Translation David replied to Saul, "I am a shepherd for my father's sheep. Whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, Good News Translation "Your Majesty," David said, "I take care of my father's sheep. Any time a lion or a bear carries off a lamb, International Standard Version David told Saul, "Your servant has been a shepherd for his father. When a lion or bear came and took a lamb from the flock, NET Bible David replied to Saul, "Your servant has been a shepherd for his father's flock. Whenever a lion or bear would come and carry off a sheep from the flock, New Heart English Bible David said to Saul, "Your servant was keeping his father's sheep; and when a lion or a bear came, and took a lamb out of the flock, Webster's Bible Translation And David said to Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleDavid replied, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, World English Bible David said to Saul, “Your servant was keeping his father’s sheep; and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd David says to Saul, “Your servant has been a shepherd among the sheep for his father, and the lion has come—and the bear—and has taken away a sheep out of the drove, Berean Literal Bible And David said to Saul, “Your servant has been pasturing the sheep of his father, and the lion or the bear came and carried away a lamb out of the flock, Young's Literal Translation And David saith unto Saul, 'A shepherd hath thy servant been to his father among the sheep, and the lion hath come -- and the bear -- and hath taken away a sheep out of the drove, Smith's Literal Translation And David will say to Saul, Thy servant was feeding for his father among the sheep, and there came the lion and with the bear, and lifted up a sheep from the flock. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd David said to Saul: Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, or a bear, and took a ram out of the midst of the flock: Catholic Public Domain Version And David said to Saul: “Your servant was pasturing the flock of his father. And there approached a lion or a bear, and it took a ram from the midst of the flock. New American Bible Then David told Saul: “Your servant used to tend his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or bear came to carry off a sheep from the flock, New Revised Standard Version But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father; and whenever a lion or a bear came, and took a lamb from the flock, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd David said to Saul, Your servant was tending his father's sheep, and there came a lion and a bear, and took a lamb from the flock; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And David said to Shaul: “Your Servant was a Shepherd for my father’s sheep, and a lion came, and a bear, and they picked up a lamb from the flock OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And David said unto Saul: 'Thy servant kept his father's sheep; and when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock, Brenton Septuagint Translation And David said to Saul, Thy servant was tending the flock for his father; and when a lion came and a she-bear, and took a sheep out of the flock, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context David Accepts the Challenge…33But 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.” 34David replied, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, 35I went after it, struck it down, and delivered the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it.… Cross References David replied, 1 Samuel 26:17-20 Then Saul recognized David’s voice and asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” “It is my voice, my lord and king,” David said. / And he continued, “Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done? What evil is in my hand? / Now please, may my lord the king hear the words of his servant: If the LORD has stirred you up against me, then may He accept an offering. But if men have done it, may they be cursed in the presence of the LORD! For today they have driven me away from sharing in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’ … 1 Samuel 24:8-12 After that, David got up, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed facedown in reverence / and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’? / Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’ … 1 Samuel 25:32-34 Then David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you to meet me this day! / Blessed is your discernment, and blessed are you, because today you kept me from bloodshed and from avenging myself by my own hand. / Otherwise, as surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, who has restrained me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, then surely no male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by morning light.” “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, 1 Samuel 16:11 And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” 1 Samuel 16:19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” Psalm 78:70-71 He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds; / from tending the ewes He brought him to be shepherd of His people Jacob, of Israel His inheritance. and whenever a lion or a bear came Amos 5:19 It will be like a man who flees from a lion, only to encounter a bear, or who enters his house and rests his hand against the wall, only to be bitten by a snake. Hosea 13:7-8 So like a lion I will pounce on them; like a leopard I will lurk by the path. / Like a bear robbed of her cubs I will attack them, and I will tear open their chests. There I will devour them like a lion, like a wild beast tearing them apart. 2 Kings 2:24 Then he turned around, looked at them, and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Suddenly two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys. and carried off a lamb from the flock, Genesis 31:39 I did not bring you anything torn by wild beasts; I bore the loss myself. And you demanded payment from me for what was stolen by day or night. Exodus 22:13 If the animal was torn to pieces, he shall bring it as evidence; he need not make restitution for the torn carcass. John 10:12-13 The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. / The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep. Judges 14:5-6 Then Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother and came to the vineyards of Timnah. Suddenly a young lion came roaring at him, / and the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him, and he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as one would tear a young goat. But he did not tell his father or mother what he had done. Amos 3:12 This is what the LORD says: “As the shepherd snatches from the mouth of the lion two legs or a piece of an ear, so the Israelites dwelling in Samaria will be rescued having just the corner of a bed or the cushion of a couch. 2 Samuel 23:20 And Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a man of valor from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. He struck down two champions of Moab, and on a snowy day he went down into a pit and killed a lion. Isaiah 31:4 For this is what the LORD has said to me: “Like a lion roaring or a young lion over its prey—and though a band of shepherds is called out against it, it is not terrified by their shouting or subdued by their clamor—so the LORD of Hosts will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and its heights. Treasury of Scripture And David said to Saul, Your servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: lamb. Jump to Previous Bear Carried David Drove Keeper Keeping Kept Lion Saul Servant Sheep Shepherd Tending UsedJump to Next Bear Carried David Drove Keeper Keeping Kept Lion Saul Servant Sheep Shepherd Tending Used1 Samuel 17 1. The armies of the Israelites and Philistines being ready to battle4. 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 David replied David, the youngest son of Jesse, is responding to King Saul. This moment occurs after David has heard Goliath's challenge and has volunteered to fight the Philistine giant. David's reply is significant as it demonstrates his confidence and faith, rooted in his past experiences. His response is not just a defense of his capability but also a testament to his trust in God's deliverance. Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe youngest son of Jesse, a shepherd boy who would later become the king of Israel. At this point in the account, David is demonstrating his courage and faithfulness in protecting his father's sheep. 2. Saul The first king of Israel, who is hesitant to allow David to face Goliath. Saul represents the established authority and the human perspective of fear and doubt. 3. Lion and Bear These animals symbolize the real and present dangers that David faced while tending sheep. They represent challenges that require courage and reliance on God. 4. Father’s Sheep The flock that David is responsible for, symbolizing his duty and faithfulness in small things, which prepares him for greater responsibilities. 5. The Event David recounts his past experiences of protecting the sheep from predators, illustrating his bravery and trust in God’s deliverance. Teaching Points Faithfulness in Small ThingsDavid’s commitment to protecting his father’s sheep demonstrates the importance of being faithful in small tasks. This faithfulness prepares us for greater responsibilities in God’s kingdom. Courage in the Face of Danger David’s willingness to confront lions and bears shows that true courage comes from trusting in God’s strength rather than our own. Preparation for Greater Challenges God often uses our current circumstances to prepare us for future challenges. David’s experiences as a shepherd equipped him to face Goliath. Trust in God’s Deliverance David’s confidence in God’s past deliverance from lions and bears strengthens his faith to face Goliath. Remembering God’s past faithfulness can bolster our trust in Him during present trials. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 17:34?2. How does David's past experiences prepare him for future challenges in 1 Samuel 17:34? 3. What does David's protection of sheep reveal about his character and faith? 4. How can we trust God in our own "lion and bear" situations? 5. What other biblical figures demonstrate courage similar to David's in 1 Samuel 17:34? 6. How can we apply David's reliance on God to our daily spiritual battles? 7. How does 1 Samuel 17:34 demonstrate David's faith and courage in God's protection? 8. What historical evidence supports the events described in 1 Samuel 17:34? 9. How does David's experience as a shepherd in 1 Samuel 17:34 shape his leadership qualities? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 17? 11. Is the reference to enemies being like “lions” in Psalm 57:4 simply poetic imagery, or does it exaggerate any verifiable historical threat David faced? 12. What qualities define a good shepherd in scripture? 13. How do we reconcile the differences between 1 Chronicles 17 and 2 Samuel 7 regarding the details of God's covenant with David? 14. Matthew 18:12–14 – Does the parable of leaving ninety-nine sheep for one contradict practical shepherding and ancient Near Eastern practices? What Does 1 Samuel 17:34 Mean David replied,David’s words break the tension in Saul’s tent. Instead of echoing Israel’s fear, he speaks up with calm assurance. • His readiness to answer mirrors 1 Samuel 17:32: “Do not let anyone lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” • Years earlier, the prophet had anointed him (1 Samuel 16:13), so David’s reply now flows from confidence that the LORD who chose him still guides him. • Like Moses before Pharaoh (Exodus 5:1) or Peter before the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:8-10), David demonstrates that faith compels respectful yet fearless speech. The verse opens, then, by showing a heart already settled on God’s faithfulness before any battle begins. Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, David places himself in the lowly role of a shepherd, emphasizing service rather than self-promotion. • Tending sheep is the task Samuel found him doing (1 Samuel 16:11), and it forged habits of watchfulness (Psalm 78:70-72). • Scripture often links shepherding with leadership—God lifts the humble (James 4:10) and equips them for greater responsibility (Luke 16:10). • The phrase also hints at Christ, the Good Shepherd (John 10:11), showing how God shapes deliverers in quiet pastures long before public victory. By pointing to ordinary faithfulness, David reminds Saul that God trains His servants in hidden places. and whenever a lion or a bear came Real predators, not symbols, stalked Judah’s hills. • Judges 14:5-6 records Samson’s encounter with a lion, confirming such threats were literal. • Scripture portrays both lion and bear as forces of danger (Proverbs 28:15; 2 Kings 17:25), and Peter later warns believers that the devil “prowls around like a roaring lion” (1 Peter 5:8). • David’s calm recall of these beasts underscores experiential trust: past deliverances prove God’s ongoing power (2 Corinthians 1:10). What terrifies others, he treats as familiar territory because the LORD has been his protector. and carried off a lamb from the flock, The enemy’s theft triggers David’s courageous response. • A hired hand might flee (John 10:12-13), but a true shepherd risks everything for one lamb (Luke 15:4). • Israel itself is often called God’s flock (Ezekiel 34:12); thus David’s defense of sheep foreshadows his later role as king who guards God’s people (2 Samuel 5:2). • Each rescue reveals God’s heart: He notices when even one vulnerable life is snatched away (Matthew 18:12-14). By recalling these rescues, David shows Saul that confronting Goliath is simply an extension of the same protective zeal empowered by the same faithful God. summary 1 Samuel 17:34 highlights David’s proven faithfulness, God-honed courage, and shepherd’s heart. Quiet years of diligent service prepared him to confront giant threats with unshakable confidence in the LORD. The verse reminds believers today that steadfast obedience in small responsibilities equips us for larger battles, and the God who delivered then still delivers now. (34) Thy servant kept his father's sheep.--Here follows in the colloquy between the king and the boy that simple brave narrative which children listen to with glowing cheeks--that simple story, bearing the stamp of truth on every word--of what had happened to him in past days. Fierce wild animals, the terror of the Hebrew shepherds, had attacked his flock: these he had met and slain, almost without arms. Another had helped him when he did his brave duty then; and he felt that the same invisible Guardian would give him nerve and strength now in this more dangerous encounter. Only let him try. There was nothing to fear; he must succeed, he and his Divine Helper!Verses 34-36. - David does not appeal to any feat of arms. He may have served with credit in repelling some Philistine foray, but these combats with wild beasts, fought without the presence of spectators, and with no regent necessity (as most shepherds would have been too glad to compound with such enemies by letting them take a lamb without molestation), still more clearly proved David's fearless nature. Lions and bears were both common in ancient times in Palestine, when the country was more densely covered with wood; and bears are numerous in the mountainous districts now. Lions seem to have been less feared than bears (Amos 5:19); but Canon Tristram thinks there were two species of the lion in Palestine - one short-maned, which was not very formidable, the other long maned, which was more fierce and dangerous ('Nat. Hist. of Bible,' p. 117). The Hebrew literally is, "There came the lion and even the bear," the articles implying that they were the well known foes of the shepherd. The written text has zeh, "this," for seh, "a lamb," probably a mere variety of spelling. There can be little doubt that David refers to two different occasions, especially as bears and lions never hunt in company. By his beard. Neither the bear nor the lion has a beard, and the word really means "the chin," "the place where the beard grows." The Chaldee translates the lower jaw, and the Septuagint the throat. It is plain from this description that David slew the beast with his staff. He arose against me. This shows that the combat thus particularly described was with the bear, which does thus rise on its hind legs to grapple with its foe, while the lion crouches and then springs. Pliny also says that the weakest part of a bear is its head, and that it can be killed by a smart blow there. The manner in which David killed the lion is not described. Defied. See on ver. 10.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Davidדָּוִד֙ (dā·wiḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse replied, וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “Your servant עַבְדְּךָ֛ (‘aḇ·də·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 5650: Slave, servant has been tending רֹעֶ֨ה (rō·‘eh) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7462: To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with his father’s לְאָבִ֖יו (lə·’ā·ḇîw) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1: Father sheep, בַּצֹּ֑אן (baṣ·ṣōn) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock and whenever a lion הָֽאֲרִי֙ (hā·’ă·rî) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 738: A lion or a bear הַדּ֔וֹב (had·dō·wḇ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1677: The bear came וּבָ֤א (ū·ḇā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go and carried off וְנָשָׂ֥א (wə·nā·śā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take a lamb שֶׂ֖ה (śeh) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7716: A member of a, flock, a sheep, goat from the flock, מֵהָעֵֽדֶר׃ (mê·hā·‘ê·ḏer) Preposition-m, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5739: An arrangement, muster Links 1 Samuel 17:34 NIV1 Samuel 17:34 NLT 1 Samuel 17:34 ESV 1 Samuel 17:34 NASB 1 Samuel 17:34 KJV 1 Samuel 17:34 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 17:34 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 17:34 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 17:34 French Bible 1 Samuel 17:34 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 17:34 David said to Saul Your servant was (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
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