Whose Son is This?

Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 16-17; Psalm 107

1 Samuel 17 ends with David’s victory over Goliath — but it also leaves us with what might seem, at first glance, a confusing moment. We know from chapter 16, and even earlier in chapter 17, that Saul already knew David. David had been brought into Saul’s court as a musician, someone whose playing soothed the king when he was tormented by an evil spirit. Later, Saul even offered David his own armor and sword to fight Goliath.

So why, at the end of chapter 17, is Saul asking Abner, “Whose son is this youth?” (1 Sam. 17:55)?

A careful reading clears this up: Saul isn’t asking about David’s identity — he already knows him personally. He’s asking about David’s family background. He wants to know who David’s father is.

Why? Saul had promised that whoever defeated Goliath would marry his daughter. Now that David had won, Saul was about to make him a son-in-law, and he needed to know what kind of family he was binding to the royal house. This wasn’t a small matter. And given Saul’s record of making rash vows without considering their consequences (like when he almost had his own son Jonathan killed after a foolish battlefield oath), it’s no surprise that he’s scrambling now to gather information after the fact.

But there's a bigger lesson here.

We are reading David’s story from a divine point of view. We already know — because the Scriptures tell us — that God had chosen David to replace Saul. We know David is the anointed king-in-waiting. We see him as the central figure of the story.

Saul, however, does not.

To Saul, David is just another servant in the royal court. A useful one, but nothing more. Saul isn’t watching for the hand of God; he’s managing his own kingdom. He doesn’t realize how quietly God is moving — how David is being shaped in the public eye, gaining the favor of the people, and being positioned for the throne.

David foreshadows Jesus in this way.

We read the story of Christ from the other side of the cross and resurrection. We know who He is: the King of kings and Lord of lords, the One seated at the right hand of the Father, upholding all things by the word of His power. We know that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

But the world does not see it yet.

To most of the world, if they think of Him at all, Jesus is a minor figure from history, a name among many. They see themselves as the true rulers of their own lives and kingdoms. Yet, just as David was already anointed and set apart, Jesus is already enthroned. His reign is not dependent on human recognition. The course of history is fixed — and in time, all will be forced to ask, as Jesus Himself once asked the Pharisees, “Whose Son is He?” (Matthew 22:42).

Many will resist. Many will fight against His rule. But their opposition changes nothing. Jesus is Lord — now and forever. The kingdom of God is coming, and no man’s opinion can halt it.

So don't fear. Don’t be discouraged when the world seems blind or hostile to the truth. Seek first His kingdom. Trust that the King is already on the throne. Everything else will take care of itself.

a man asking a serious question