(17:55) As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?”
Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.”
This predates the events in verse 54. Saul took notice of this brave young man, who trusted in God.
(17:56-58) The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.”
57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head.
58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him.
David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.”
Even though Saul already knew David was his court musician, he didn’t recognize him as a warrior until this moment. He was likely inquiring about his family of origin because he promised his daughter to him. Incidentally, Saul gains a new respect for David.
James is an elder at Dwell Community Church, where he teaches classes in theology, apologetics, and weekly Bible studies.
