1 Samuel 17:55

1 Samuel 17:55, in plain English

Saul, who has been watching everything, asks his commander Abner who this young man's family is—he doesn't seem to recognize David.

Why it's here

This is odd, isn't it? Saul invited David to his court earlier to play music for him. But here, after David's victory, Saul is asking who David is. Either Saul has forgotten him, or the shock of what he's witnessing has momentarily wiped out his memory, or—and this is worth considering—Saul is already sensing that something has shifted. A young shepherd just did what Saul couldn't do. That's the beginning of a very complicated relationship.

Who's speaking

Saul speaking to Abner, the commander of his army

Where it sits in the story

This moment marks a turning point. David, who was just a kid with a sling, is now someone Saul needs to understand and find out about. His question about David's parentage might sound casual, but it's actually the beginning of Saul's journey toward jealousy and fear of David.

The scholarly reading

As David exits the battlefield with Goliath's head still in hand, Saul inquires of his military commander Abner regarding David's parentage.

Language and setting

The narrative takes an unexpected turn: Saul has watched David's confrontation and victory, yet remains ignorant of his identity. This raises interpretive questions—how could the king not recognize the young man he had previously taken into service (1 Samuel 16:21-22)? Scholars have proposed various explanations: either this narrative derives from an independent source tradition, or Saul's emotional turmoil and depression (his 'evil spirit' from 1 Samuel 16:14) had rendered him oblivious to David's identity, or the distance and urgency of battle prevented clear recognition. Saul's question to Abner—'Whose son is this young man?' (בֶן־מִי הַנַּעַר הַזֶּה, ben-mi hana'ar hazze)—indicates his political calculation: he seeks to identify David's lineage to assess his claim and position. The query suggests Saul recognizes that this shepherd's victory has transformed him into a significant political figure requiring official acknowledgment.

Voice

Saul, the king of Israel, addressing Abner his military commander

Significance

This scene initiates the complex relationship between Saul and David that will dominate the remainder of 1 Samuel. Saul's failure to recognize David at this moment of triumph foreshadows his later inability to comprehend David's significance in God's purposes—a failure rooted partly in political anxiety and partly in spiritual obtuseness.

53When the Israelites returned from their pursuit of the Philistines, they plundered their camps.

54David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, and he put Goliath’s weapons in his own tent.

55As Saul had watched David going out to confront the Philistine, he said to Abner the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?”

56“Find out whose son this young man is!” said the king.

57So when David returned from killing the Philistine, still holding his head in his hand, Abner took him and brought him before Saul.

Read all of 1 Samuel 17 — A shepherd boy walks onto a battlefield where trained soldiers won't go. This isn't really about courage — it's about where you place your confidence.