1 Samuel 17:19

19 They are with Saul and all of the men of Israel. They are in the Valley of Elah. They are fighting against 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 said to his son David, "Get at least half a bushel of grain that has been cooked. Also get ten loaves of bread. Take all of it to your brothers. Hurry to their camp.

18 Take along these ten chunks of cheese to the commander of their company. Find out how your brothers are doing. Bring me back some word about them.

19 They are with Saul and all of the men of Israel. They are in the Valley of Elah. They are fighting against the Philistines."

20 Early in the morning David left his father's flock in the care of a shepherd. David loaded up the food and started out, just as Jesse had directed. David reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions. The soldiers were shouting the war cry.

21 Israel and the Philistines were lining up their armies for battle. The armies were facing each other.