1 Samuel 17:19

19 They, along with Saul and all the soldiers of Israel, are in the Elah Valley fighting the Philistines."

1 Samuel 17:19 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 17:19

Now Saul, and they
That is, the sons of Jesse, and brethren of David:

and all the men of Israel;
the soldiers in the army:

were in the valley Elah;
or "by" it, near unto it; for they were set in array on the mountain on the side of it:

fighting with the Philistines;
not actually engaged in battle, but drawn up for it; prepared and in readiness to engage whenever it was necessary, or they were obliged to it; and perhaps there might be now and then some skirmishes in the outer parts of the camp.

1 Samuel 17:19 In-Context

17 Jesse told his son David, "Take this half-bushel of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread to your brothers. Take them to your brothers in the camp right away.

18 And take these ten cheeses to the captain of the regiment. See how your brothers are doing, and bring back some news about them.

19 They, along with Saul and all the soldiers of Israel, are in the Elah Valley fighting the Philistines."

20 David got up early in the morning and had someone else watch [the sheep]. He took [the food] and went, as Jesse ordered him. He went to the camp as the army was going out to the battle line shouting their war cry.

21 Israel and the Philistines formed their battle lines facing each other.