1 Samuel 17:47

47 and that all this assembly may know that the LORD doesn't save with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hand.

1 Samuel 17:47 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 17:47

And all this assembly shall know
The congregation of Israel, and church of the living God, great part of which were now gathered together, and were spectators of this wonderful event:

that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear;
that is, by outward means and instruments, by arms and armed men; he does not save by them only, or by them always; he can save as well without them as with them:

for the battle [is] the Lord's;
it is under his direction; the issue and event of it depend on his will, and are owing to him; or, as the Targum,

``from the Lord is the victory of wars,''

it is he that gives it to whom he pleases:

and he will give you into our hands;
not only this Philistine into the hands of David, but the army of them into the hands of the Israelites; David knew, and was assured of this by the Lord, and it was on this he relied, and was what animated him to engage with this champion in the manner he did.

1 Samuel 17:47 In-Context

45 Then said David to the Pelishti, You come to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a javelin: but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Yisra'el, whom you have defied.

46 This day will the LORD deliver you into my hand; and I will strike you, and take your head from off you; and I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Pelishtim this day to the birds of the sky, and to the wild animals of the eretz; that all the eretz may know that there is a God in Yisra'el,

47 and that all this assembly may know that the LORD doesn't save with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hand.

48 It happened, when the Pelishti arose, and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried, and ran toward the army to meet the Pelishti.

49 David put his hand in his bag, and took there a stone, and slang it, and struck the Pelishti in his forehead; and the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the eretz.