Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Perhaps the apparently inexplicable forgetfulness on the part of Saul was a residual effect of the evil spirit that had previously afflicted him, for which David had been called to soothe him by playing on his lyre (1 Samuel 16:14-23).

Alternatively, perhaps the inquiry was meant to have a broader application (beyond just David's identity) in regard to David's background with respect to being a suitable candidate for marriage to one of Saul's daughters, as was more explicitly subsequently discussed in 1 Samuel 18:17-29 (even though Saul also planned to use that possibility of marriage as an excuse for requiring David to engage in military campaigns during which Saul hoped that David would be killed).

July 30 2019 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Michael Orekyeh Supporter

Saul was a careless and undiscerning fellow. He looked down on David as an unimportant servant when he played the harp. He did not remember his face at this all important time where 1 man (a youth) defeated their long running enemies in a major battle. 

Saul's behavior is seen also as careless in how he treated Samuel's instructions on waiting for him before offering the sacrifice at Gilgal (1 Sam 13: 7- 14) and also on obeying instructions on totally destroying Amalek (1Sam 15: 8-20); he was showing consistent behaviour. 

He did not show commitment to people or situations and was self centered. He even attempted killing his first son Johnathan (1 Sam 14: 43- 46). 

We should also learn from his unstable and undiscerning behaviour, how to follow God's instructions and that not doing so can have deep implications.

December 23 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Finley Philipose Supporter

A reader should not separate it so much into chapters but rather a singular storyline when reading first Samuel. Chapters should be used as only reference points. 

It is evident from first Samuel 16 that Saul knew who David was. The fact is he was brought into King Saul's service the Bible says. King Saul knew him first as a harpist and a shepherd because that is how he was introduced to Saul in chapter 16. In Chapter 17. He is now seen in a different light in the eyes of Saul. He is now seen as a champion and slayer of lions and bears. It is only natural for a person who sees an individual in one light to be perplexed to see in him in another light, especially for a person who brought peace to Saul to now being a Man of War. 

Notice how he introduces himself to Saul: "your servant". Saul had faith in this person without any inquiry of who he was, which leads you to the natural conclusion that he is already known to Saul. In verse 56, His question to Abner was one of confusion and wonder of the person he thought he knew (as a shepherd and harpist). "Whose son is this boy?" By asking this, it is evident He already knew his name. 

His question to David later in vs. 58 is one of deeper inquiry and investigation. It has already been revealed to him by Samuel that he will no longer be king. There was already a question in his heart who could be the next king. Later we read in Chapter 18:2 that Saul did not let him return to his father's house. This is possible because he wanted to keep a watch on him. In vs. 5 it says both the people of Israel and Saul's servants were pleased and approved with David being promoted. It DOES NOT mention anywhere that Saul was pleased with him or with his promotion. This explanation ties to the rest of Chapter 18 to the whole storyline.

April 19 2020 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Juvon Carmichael Supporter

In my understanding of this, it's not that David was unrecognizable, or that they were seeking clarification about his father. In 1 Samuel 16:19-22 we see that Saul sent his messengers to Jesse to request David. So, Saul knew who David was, and who his father was.

Neither do I believe that an evil spirit caused Saul to lose his memory or knowledge of who David was. Abner was not possessed with an evil spirit and even he didn't know how to respond when Saul asked who David was after slaying Goliath.

I also do not believe that this story was out of chronological order, as we see that David was asked to stay with Saul in 1 Samuel 16:22 because he was pleased with him, but then we see that David was promoted in 1 Samuel 18:5 and was given assignments.

It seems to me that they were astonished. They were first introduced to David as a little shepherd boy who knew how to play the harp. They are now standing face-to-face with a guy who is holding the slain giant's head in his hand; a giant that Saul's army had been trying to slay for weeks!

Both Saul and Abner were taken aback and astonished. They were both pretty much doing a double-take, like "Wait...who did you say he was?" And Abner pretty much responded like "I have no idea!"

To them, this couldn't be the same little boy we just kept around to play the harp. Surely, we must have been mistaken about his identity. 

It seems to me that it was merely an inquiry of astonishment.

June 13 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

TIMOTHY OWEN-SMITH Supporter

It is interesting to notice that Saul has already lied to Samuel about the loot and blamed his Israelite Soldiers. He was fully aware of his disobedience. He did not care. He thought about his image. *1 Sam 15:9) So, "Whose son are you?" is almost saying, "How dare you, a mere servant, a slave, perform this deed. You're not even one of my generals. A mere boy. "He's almost echoing Goliath.

He could have had more motives for dressing David in his armour. "My soldiers will now see me and credit me for the victory. They will identify me by my royal armour. They won't know it's David. He's my stunt double. Either way I have nothing to lose."

But David is without a covering. Not even a shield bearer or detachment of soldiers. He's on his own. Only God is his shield. H kills Goliath. The glory goes to God and then he is credited by the ladies' song more than Saul. So Saul is jealous and he is rapidly losing favour and his image.

It reminds me of the question posed of Jesus: Isn't he the carpenter's son?

October 01 2025 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Chase Gaddis Supporter

It's possible that this is just another example of the contrast between David and Saul. Even after such a great victory, it's highlighted that it's David's heart that God desires. Saul doesn't pay attention to the little things, he'd already forgotten the details about David. This is like when Samuel gave Saul a command to wipe out the Amalekites and although Saul probably was aware or ought to have been aware he was being scrutinized on his actions as king by the Lord, he wasn’t careful to follow the details.

February 28 2026 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Darren Weaver Supporter

Is it possible that the events are not presented chronologically? Perhaps David killed Goliath before he became Saul's court musician. See in 1 Samuel 16:18 that David is recognized by one of Saul's servants. Why would he be recognized if he did not have prior fame, since he was but a shepherd? Also it mentions that he was a man of war, which would have only been after he had killed Goliath.

January 23 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

Why did Saul not recognise David after he defeated Goliath?
1 Samuel 16:19-23

It is not that Saul did not know David or recognise him; it was an exclamation like "who is this person who has just defeated Goliath?"

It reminds me of the disciples when, in the boat, Jesus settled the storm; they asked, "Who is this person?" They had been with Jesus for quite a while and saw what Jesus could do. 

So they knew Jesus, but it was like Saul, an exclamation of what that person had just done:

Regarding David:

By questioning Abner first and then David himself, Saul was not just interested in knowing David's father's name. Having seen David in a completely new light as a person of great faith and courage who had just defeated Goliath, Saul wanted to know what kind of man had raised such a boy. Saul may have had in mind adding David's father, Jesse, or other members of his family to the army, since the courage and bravery seen in David might also be found in them.

Comments by C. F. Keil and F. Delitzsch: "It is very evident from the expression in [1 Samuel 18:1], 'when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul,' that Saul conversed with him still further about his family affairs, since the very words imply a lengthened conversation."

Saul's question, "Whose son is the boy, Abner?"

Even if Abner had not troubled himself about the lineage of Saul's harpist, Saul himself could not well have forgotten that David was a son of the Bethlehemite Jesse. But there was much more implied in Saul's question. It was not the name of David's father alone that he wanted to discover, but what kind of man the father of a youth who possessed the courage to accomplish so marvellous a heroic deed really was; and the question was put not merely so that he might exempt him of his house from taxes as the reward promised for the conquest of Goliath (ver. 25), but also in all probability that he might attach such a man to his court, since he inferred from the courage and bravery of the son the existence of similar qualities in the father.

Had he not recognised David, he should have asked: "What is your name?" Saul was known for placing the most valiant men in his bodyguard (14:52). Saul may have wondered if David had any more brave brothers. Or he may have wished for a more complete identification of this brave young man so that he could properly reward his extraordinary accomplishment.

May 19 2026 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report