1 Samuel 17:45-47

45 Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with ¹a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, ²whom you have defied.

46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. ³And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day ⁴to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, ⁵that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel,

47 and that all this assembly may know that ⁶the LORD saves not with sword and spear. ⁷For the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hand."

1 Samuel 17:45-47 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.

Cross References

• 1. ver. 6
• 2. [See ver. 36 above]
• 3. Deuteronomy 28:26
• 4. ver. 44
• 5. 1 Kings 18:36; [Joshua 4:24]
• 6. Hosea 1:7; [Psalms 44:6, 7; Zechariah 4:6]
• 7. 2 Chronicles 20:15