1 Samuel 17:14-24

14 David was the youngest; and the three eldest followed Sha'ul.

15 Now David went back and forth from Sha'ul to feed his father's sheep at Beit-Lechem.

16 The Pelishti drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.

17 Yishai said to David his son, Take now for your brothers an efah of this parched grain, and these ten loaves, and carry [them] quickly to the camp to your brothers;

18 and bring these ten cheeses to the captain of their thousand, and look how your brothers fare, and take their pledge.

19 Now Sha'ul, and they, and all the men of Yisra'el, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Pelishtim.

20 David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Yishai had commanded him; and he came to the place of the wagons, as the host which was going forth to the fight shouted for the battle.

21 Yisra'el and the Pelishtim put the battle in array, army against army.

22 David left his baggage in the hand of the keeper of the baggage, and ran to the army, and came and greeted his brothers.

23 As he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Pelishti of Gat, Golyat by name, out of the ranks of the Pelishtim, and spoke according to the same words: and David heard them.

24 All the men of Yisra'el, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.

1 Samuel 17:14-24 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.