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1 Samuel 17:43

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 17:43 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 17

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
40And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in the shepherd`s bag which he had, even in his wallet; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
41And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.
42And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and withal of a fair countenance.
43And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
44And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the birds of the heavens, and to the beasts of the field.
45Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a javelin: but I come to thee in the name of Jehovah of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
46This day will Jehovah deliver thee into my hand; and I will smite thee, and take thy head from off thee; and I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day unto the birds of the heavens, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel,
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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 the Philistine said unto David, [am] I a dog? etc.] Truly David did not think him much better, because of his impudence, impurity, and barking blasphemy against God, and the armies of Israel; the Targum is, “am I a despised dog?” verily he was by David: that thou comest to me with staves? or with a staff, the plural for the singular, to beat him with it as a dog is beaten, and as David used to beat his dog with, while keeping his father’s sheep, when the dog he had with him did not do his business as he should; he says nothing of his sling and stones, they being out of sight: and the Philistine cursed David by his gods: by Dagon and others; he made an imprecation by them, and wished the…”
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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
“Dog - Dost thou think to beat me as easily as thou wouldst thy dog? 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 17:46”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“17:43 a dog: A metaphor for a compliant, bowing servant (cp. 2 Sam 9:8). • a stick: David had concealed his sling, and Goliath could see only his staff. • by the names of his gods: Since Goliath appealed to his gods, David’s victory over Goliath would also symbolize God’s victory over Dagon, the chief god of the Philistines (1 Sam 5:2, 5).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Am: Sa1 24:14; Sa2 3:8, Sa2 9:8, Sa2 16:9; Kg2 8:13 cursed: Gen 27:29; Num 22:6, Num 22:11, Num 22:12; Jdg 9:27; Pro 26:2 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 17:44”
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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