1 Samuel 17:1-8

1 Now the Pelishtim gathered together their armies to battle; and they were gathered together at Sokho, which belongs to Yehudah, and encamped between Sokho and `Azeka, in Efes-Dammim.

2 Sha'ul and the men of Yisra'el were gathered together, and encamped in the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Pelishtim.

3 The Pelishtim stood on the mountain on the one side, and Yisra'el stood on the mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.

4 There went out a champion out of the camp of the Pelishtim, named Golyat, of Gat, whose height was six cubits and a span.

5 He had a helmet of brass on his head, and he was clad with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.

6 He had brass shin-armor on his legs, and a javelin of brass between his shoulders.

7 The staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head [weighed] six hundred shekels of iron: and his shield-bearer went before him.

8 He stood and cried to the armies of Yisra'el, and said to them, Why are you come out to set your battle in array? am I not a Pelishti, and you servants to Sha'ul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.

1 Samuel 17:1-8 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.