1 Samuel 17:46-47

46 "This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the ¹dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, ²that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel,

47 and that all this assembly may know that ³the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; ⁴for the battle is the LORD'S and He will give you into our hands."

1 Samuel 17:46-47 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.

Cross References

• 1. Deuteronomy 28:26
• 2. Joshua 4:24; 1 Kings 8:43; 1 Kings 18:36; 2 Kings 19:19; Isaiah 37:20
• 3. 1 Samuel 14:6; 2 Chronicles 14:11; 2 Chronicles 20:15; Psalms 44:6; Hosea 1:7; Zechariah 4:6
• 4. 2 Chronicles 20:15