Definition: And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield [went] before him.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from 1 Samuel 17:41. It's a really important moment in the story of David and Goliath! Here’s what it means, explained simply: Basically, it says that Goliath, the giant who was challenging David, actually came to meet him. Let’s unpack it further: “And the Philistine came on…” : This refers to Goliath's army. He was a powerful and formidable warrior. “…and drew near unto David…” : This means he moved closer to David – essentially, he was approaching him. “…and the man that bare the shield [went] before him.” : This is where it gets interesting. The word "bare" means “carried” or “held”. So, this man (likely Goliath himself, but it's a bit unclear) was carrying his massive shield – the symbol of his power and armor. He’s positioned to face David. The Significance: This is a pivotal moment because it shows that Goliath wasn’t just a brute force opponent. He was willing to compromise with David, even in the face of a serious battle. It demonstrates that even a powerful giant could be defeated by courage and faith – specifically, David's unwavering belief in God. In short, it tells us that Goliath wasn’t going to win easily, but he was willing to meet his challenge. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of this further? Give you a little more context about the story of David and Goliath?