1 Samuel 17:9

If he is able to have a fight with me and overcome me, then we will be your servants: but if I am able to overcome him, then you will be our servants and do work for us.

Bible in Basic English

In The King James Version

If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.

In Context

8He took up his position and in a loud voice said to the armies of Israel, Why have you come out to make war? Am I not a Philistine and you servants of Saul? Send out a man for yourselves and let him come down to me.

10And the Philistine said, I have put to shame the armies of Israel this day; give me a man so that we may have a fight together.

Read all of 1 Samuel 17

Cross References

1 Samuel 11:1Then about a month after this, Nahash the Ammonite came up and put his forces in position for attacking Jabesh-gilead: and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, Make an agreement with us and we will be your servants.

Matthew Henry on 1 Samuel 17:2-12

Goliath's Challenge to Israel. ( b. c. 1060.) 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 Ephes-dammim. 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. 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… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study 1 Samuel 17:9