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1 Samuel 17:33

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 17:33 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.
1 Samuel 17:33 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 17

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
30And he turned away from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.
31And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul; and he sent for him.
32And David said to Saul, Let no man`s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.
33And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.
34And 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,
35I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth; and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
36Thy servant smote both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Saul said to David, thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, etc.] Had neither strength of body, nor skill in military affairs, to encounter with a man of his stature, and warlike genius and practice: for thou [art but] a youth; some say about fourteen or sixteen years of age, but very probably about twenty, and not more, and so not only weak, but inexpert in the art of fighting: and he a man of war from his youth; a gigantic man, trained up in, inured to, and expert in the affairs of war; so that David could not, on any account, be a competitor with him, and a match for him.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“A youth - Not above 20 years old; and a novice, a raw and unexperienced soldier. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 17:37”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Thou art not: Num 13:31; Deu 9:2; Psa 11:1; Rev 13:4 for thou art but: Sa1 17:42, Sa1 17:56 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 17:34”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Samuel 17 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification