1 Samuel 17:9-19

9 If he is able to fight with me and to overcome me, then will we be your slaves, but if I prevail against him and overcome him, then ye shall be our slaves and serve us.

10 And the Philistine said, I have dishonoured the ranks of Israel today; give me a man that we may fight together.

11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.

12 And David was the son of an Ephrathite man of Bethlehem of Judah, whose name was Jesse, and he had eight sons, and this man was old in the days of Saul and of advanced age among men.

13 And the three eldest sons of Jesse had gone and followed Saul to the battle. And the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab, the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab and the third Shammah.

14 And David was the youngest, the three eldest having gone after Saul.

15 But David had gone and returned from being with Saul to feed his father’s sheep in Bethlehem.

16 And the Philistine drew near morning and evening and presented himself for forty days.

17 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched grain and these ten loaves and run to the camp to thy brethren

18 and carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand and look how thy brethren fare and take their pledge.

19 Now Saul and they and all the men of Israel were in the valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.

1 Samuel 17:9-19 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.