1 Samuel 17:19

19 Forsooth Saul, and they, and all the sons of Israel in the valley of Terebinth fought against the Philistines. (Now Saul, and David's brothers, and all the Israelites were in the Elah Valley 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 And Jesse said to David his son, Take thou to thy brethren meat made of meal, the measure of ephah, and these ten loaves, and run thou in to the tents to thy brethren; (And Jesse said to his son David, Take thou to thy brothers this meal of roasted grain, an ephah in measure, and these ten loaves, and run thou to thy brothers? camp;)

18 and thou shalt bare to the tribune these ten small cheeses; and thou shalt visit thy brethren, whether they do rightly (and see if all is well), and learn thou, with which men they be ordained.

19 Forsooth Saul, and they, and all the sons of Israel in the valley of Terebinth fought against the Philistines. (Now Saul, and David's brothers, and all the Israelites were in the Elah Valley fighting against the Philistines.)

20 And so David rose (up) early, and he betook the flock to a keeper, and he went charged, as Jesse commanded to him; and he came to the place of Magal, and to the host, the which host went out to the fight, and it cried [out] in the fighting (and he came to the place of the circle of the camp, and to the army, who were going out to the battle, and were shouting out the war-cry).

21 For Israel had ordained (the) battle array; and even against them, the Philistines were ready also (and opposite them, the Philistines were also ready).