1 Samuel 17, REV Bible and Commentary (2024)

1 Samuel Chapter 17

“Ephes-dammim.” A place about 16 miles (25 km) southwest of Jerusalem; the name means “Edge of blood” or “Edge of Dammim.”

“at the Valley of Elah.” The Israelites were camped on the hills around the valley.

“the hills.” Although the Hebrew word is singular, it can be used as a collective, and the armies were not just on the top of one “hill” but were spread out over the hills.

“champion.” The Hebrew word is unique and idiomatic, and could be translated “man of the between.”

“the camps of the Philistines.” The Philistine army was spread out over the hill, and so is said to be in “camps.”

“six cubits and a span.” That is roughly nine feet, nine inches tall. We should note that the Septuagint, a Dead Sea Scroll, and Josephus say “four cubits” instead of six, but there is no reason to reduce the number in the Hebrew text.

“greaves.” The technical term for armor that covers the lower leg, especially the shin. ​

“then will we be your servants.” A hollow promise, because when David killed Goliath the Philistines ran away and remained enemies of Israel. Evil people make hollow promises, and the wise believer needs to be aware of that and not get fooled.

“they were dismayed and greatly afraid.” The man the Israelites chose to lead them in battle is afraid.

“that Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah.” That is, “that Ephrathite” was the one in chapter 16 whose son helped Saul.

“the three eldest sons of Jesse.” Jesse had eight sons (1 Sam. 16:10-11; 17:12), but only the three oldest, Eliab, Abinadab, and Shammah are named in 1 Samuel 16:6-9. Since David, the youngest, was almost certainly in his mid-teens, all seven of his brothers were probably old enough to have fought in the war. Jesse may have felt his fourth through seventh sons were needed to protect the family flocks, or they may have been away with some of the sheep (shepherds traveled long distances with their flocks), or Jesse may have been afraid that his sons would be killed in the war.

“they had gone...had gone after Saul.” The Hebrew text doubles the verb “had gone” for emphasis. Jesse’s three oldest sons had gone to fight the Philistines and Jesse was worried about them so he sent David to find out how they were doing.

“and the names of his three sons.” In the Hebrew text, the word “name” is singular, and is distributive here in 1 Samuel 17:13, and refers to each of the three sons.

“David went back and forth from Saul to shepherd his father’s flock.” From Bethlehem to the battlefield was about 14 miles, so David could have gone back and forth even in one day if he hustled, but it would be more likely that he took two days, one day there and one day back.

“these ten loaves.” The Hebrew uses the collective singular: “this ten bread.”

“bring these ten cut pieces of cheese to the leader of their 1,000.” This gift demonstrates both respect and wisdom. It is proper to respect those who risk their lives in battle and are responsible for others, for example, when and where to attack, and when to retreat and try to save lives. It is also wisdom because that leader would make decisions concerning his army and who fought where in the battle. David used his ability to direct the placing of soldiers when he had Uriah, the husband of Bathsheba, killed in the war against the Ammonites (2 Sam. 11:14-24).

“because Saul.” 1 Samuel 17:19 is a continuation of Jessie’s talking with David.^a

“a keeper.” The Hebrew word is related to “keep” or “guard.” The keeper was someone responsible for guarding the flock from harm and keeping it safe and healthy.

“came forward from the army of the Philistines.” Goliath would leave the ranks of the Philistines and step forward toward the Israelite camp. Although many translations have “came up,” the Hebrew can also mean “come forward” or “advance.” The Philistines, like the Israelites, would have sought high ground for battle, so Goliath would not have been walking “up” when he came out of the Philistine army (cp. BBE, CJB, CSB, JPS, NIV, NLT).

“Have you seen.” The “you” is plural, “Have you all seen…?”

“king will enrich him with great riches.” Saul now has to bribe people to fight, whereas warriors who trusted Yahweh would normally step forward on their own to defend Yahweh’s honor.

“That is what.” This refers back to what had been said in 1 Samuel 17:25.

“Why have you come down.” The geography is correct. Where the armies were in the Valley of Elah was lower in elevation than Bethlehem. From the inner hill country of Judah, where Bethlehem was, toward the Mediterranean coast, was downhill.

“that little flock.” This may well be a hyperbole. Eliab was angry and might have exaggerated. Although the flock David usually watched over may not have been huge, it may not have been very small either.

“question.” The Hebrew is “word,” but here it refers to David’s asking a question.

“and he sent for him.” The Hebrew is more abrupt and forceful; “and he took him.”

“flock...flock.” The Hebrew uses two different words that mean “flock,” and can be a mixed flock of sheep and goats.

“paw.” The Hebrew is just the word “hand.”

“Go, and may Yahweh be with you.” The Hebrew can also be, “Go, and Yahweh will be with you.”

“he was not used to them…I am not used to them.” The Hebrew text is more literally that David had not “tested them,” but in English that makes it sound like the armor may have been faulty, which was not the case. David had not tested what it would be like to wear the armor, so we would say that he was not “used to” it (cp. BBE, CSB, NAB, NET, NIV, NLT, NRSV).

“out of the brook.” Normally the “brook” that runs through the Valley of Elah is dry, so this is just a dry streambed.

“And he drew near to the Philistine.” Although the distance between David and Goliath was not known, it would have been quite close, perhaps 15-20 yards.

“Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” In the ancient world, dogs were often wild and untamed, and could even be dangerous. There were many reasons that men typically walked with a staff or walking stick, and wild dogs were one of them. When Jesus sent the apostles two by two, he told them to take a staff with them (Mark 6:8).

“And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.” It was common in the ancient world to use curses to harm an enemy (cp. Num. 22:6, 11; Josh. 6:26 and 1 Kings 16:34; Judg. 9:57) However, a righteous person living a righteous life does not have to fear being cursed, although sometimes a believer should pray against their effects (Prov. 26:2).

“the birds of the air.” The Hebrew is literally, “the birds of the heavens,” but the Hebrew word “heavens” is always plural, there is no singular word “heaven” in Hebrew.

“and to the animals of the field.” In a culture where family ties were strong and family tombs common, to not have anyone bury your dead body was considered a terrible curse. In fact, many people believed (falsely, but it was a very widely held belief) that a proper burial was important for a comfortable existence in the afterlife. Thus the threat of not being buried but having one’s dead body eaten by animals, birds, and vermin was a horrifying threat of unspeakable loneliness and rejection, both on this earth and in the afterlife (see commentary on Jer. 14:16).

“I come to you in the name.” The Hebrew text has “with,” using the same preposition as that Goliath came to David “with” physical weapons. David came to Goliath “with” the name of Yahweh, but in English we say “in” the name of Yahweh.

“the birds of the air.” The Hebrew is literally, “the birds of the heavens,” but the Hebrew word “heavens” is always plural, there is no singular word “heaven” in Hebrew.

“he will give all of you.” The “you” is plural. David is referring to all the Philistines.

“and he fell on his face to the earth.” Goliath would not get into a posture of submission in his life, but he did so at his death.

“Shaaraim.” Although its exact location is unknown, Shaaraim is likely a town about a mile northeast of Azekah. If that is the case, the road from Shaaraim went west and could be taken to either Gath or Ekron. Once David killed Goliath, the Philistines started to run back to their fortified cities, and the Israelites pursued them and struck them as far as Gath (about six miles) and Ekron (about seven miles).^a

“and brought it to Jerusalem.” This is a summary statement; David did not go to Jerusalem for a while. At this time David had not even conquered the Jebusite city of Jerusalem yet. David was still mainly living in Bethlehem at this time.

“but he put his armor in his tent.” It was customary that if a soldier killed someone on the battlefield, the armor of the enemy was kept by the soldier who had been victorious (cp. 2 Sam. 2:21).

“When Saul saw.” The Septuagint does not have 1 Samuel 17:55-58,

“young man.” This is a rarely used word for a young man.