What does 1 Samuel 17:56 Mean?

Study Notes

son
Cf.

And David Cf. 1 Samuel 17:55 ; 1 Samuel 17:56 . The order of events is:

(1) David, whose skill on the harp, and valour in the combat with the lion and bear 1 Samuel 17:34 ; 1 Samuel 17:36 were known to "one of the servants" of Saul, was brought to play before the king 1 Samuel 16:17 ; 1 Samuel 16:18 .

(2) David returns to Bethlehem 1 Samuel 17:15 .

(3) David is sent to Saul's camp 1 Samuel 17:17 ; 1 Samuel 17:18 and performs his great exploit.

(4) Saul's question 1 Samuel 17:55 ; 1 Samuel 17:56 implies only that he had forgotten the name of David's father --not remarkable certainly in an oriental king.

Context Summary

These verses make very good reading. They present the one ray of light in a story which, from this point on, becomes more and more somber. David's bearing in the hour of victory was so modest and unaffected that Jonathan's heart leaped out to greet him as a kindred soul; while his advances awoke in David a love almost womanly in its tenderness. When we see Jonathan arraying his newfound friend in his own raiment, we are reminded of our Lord's great exchange with us. He was made sin, that we might become the righteousness of God in him, 2 Corinthians 5:21.

David's harp was now, for the most part, exchanged for the sword, and he became a popular hero. It was the refrain of the women's ode of victory that opened Saul's soul to the envenomed dart of jealousy. The milk of human kindness suddenly turned sour. "He eyed David from that day," not with affectionate admiration, but always with desire to place a malicious construction on every act and word and look. With terrible accuracy James shows the certain progress and development of such an attitude, James 1:14-15. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Samuel 17

¹  The armies of the Israelites and Philistines being ready to battle
⁴  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