1 Samuel 17:1-8

David and Goliath

1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah.

2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines.

3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.

4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span.^[a]

5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels^[b] ;

6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back.

7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels.^[c] His shield bearer went ahead of him.

8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me.

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1 Samuel 17:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 17

This chapter relates how the armies of Israel, and of the Philistines, prepared for battle, and where, 1Sa 17:1-3, describes a champion of the Philistines, who defied the armies of Israel, 1Sa 17:4-11, and while he was so doing, it informs us that David came into the camp, and he heard his words, and signified to one and another his inclination to fight with him, 1Sa 17:12-30, which being reported to Saul, David was sent for by him, and much discourse passed between them about it, 1Sa 17:31-37 when we are told the manner in which he engaged with the Philistine, and the victory he obtained over him, 1Sa 17:38-51 upon which the Philistines fled, and Israel pursued them; and on account of this action David was taken notice of by Saul, and brought to court again, as the following chapter shows, 1Sa 17:52-58.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Cross References 9

1. 1 Samuel 13:5
2. Joshua 15:35; 2 Chronicles 28:18
3. S Joshua 10:10,11
4. 1 Samuel 21:9
5. Joshua 11:21-22; 1 Samuel 21:9; 2 Samuel 21:19
6. ver 45; 1 Samuel 18:10
7. 2 Samuel 21:19; 1 Chronicles 11:23; 1 Chronicles 20:5
8. ver 41
9. 2 Samuel 2:12-17; 1 Samuel 8:17

Footnotes 3

[a]. That is, about 9 feet 9 inches or about 3 meters
[b]. That is, about 125 pounds or about 58 kilograms
[c]. That is, about 15 pounds or about 6.9 kilograms