Key Verse Spotlight
1 Samuel 17:43 — Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing—and how to apply it today
King James Version
" And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. "
1 Samuel 17:43
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.
And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.
And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.
Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
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From This Chapter
1 Samuel 17:1
"Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim."
1 Samuel 17:2
"And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines."
1 Samuel 17:3
"And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them."
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 17:5
"And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass."
1 Samuel 17:6
"And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders."
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