1 Samuel 17:34 net — David replied to Saul,“Your servant has been a shepherd for his father’s flock. Whenever a lion or bear would come and…

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,"

— 1 Samuel 17:34, NET Bible

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1 Samuel 17:34 in Other Translations

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1 Samuel 17 — Context

31

When David’s words were overheard and reported to Saul, he called for him.

32

David said to Saul,“Don’t let anyone be discouraged. Your servant will go and fight this Philistine!”

33

But Saul replied to David,“You aren’t able to go against this Philistine and fight him! You’re just a boy! He has been a warrior from his youth!”

34

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,

35

I would go out after it, strike it down, and rescue the sheep from its mouth. If it rose up against me, I would grab it by its jaw, strike it, and kill it.

36

Your servant has struck down both the lion and the bear. This uncircumcised Philistine will be just like one of them. For he has defied the armies of the living God!”

37

David went on to say,“The LORD who delivered me from the lion and the bear will also deliver me from the hand of this Philistine!” Then Saul said to David,“Go! The LORD will be with you.”

1 Samuel 17:34 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Samuel 17:34 say?
1 Samuel 17:34 in the NET Bible reads: “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,”
Where is 1 Samuel 17:34 in the Bible?
1 Samuel 17:34 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 1 Samuel, chapter 17, verse 34.
Who wrote 1 Samuel?
1 Samuel is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Samuel, Nathan, and Gad). It was written c. 930–722 BC.
What is the book of 1 Samuel about?
1 Samuel marks Israel's transition from judges to kings. It traces the births and ministries of the prophet Samuel, the rise and tragic fall of Saul as Israel's first king, and the anointing of the shepherd boy David, whose faith makes him a man after God's own heart.
What are the major themes of 1 Samuel?
1 Samuel explores themes including Kingship, Prophet, Faith vs. Fear, God's Sovereign Choice, Anointing. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 Samuel 17:34.
What translation should I read 1 Samuel 17:34 in?
1 Samuel 17:34 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 Samuel 17:34?
1 Samuel 17:34 reads (NET): “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,” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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