1 Samuel 17

In 1 Samuel 17, we witness one of the most famous stories in the Bible: David and Goliath. The chapter sets up the dramatic confrontation between the Philistine giant, Goliath, and the young shepherd, David. The narrative reveals the courage and faith of David as he relies on God's strength to defeat Goliath, showing that faith in God can overcome seemingly impossible odds.

1 Samuel 17:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Now the Philistines gathered their armies together to battle, and were gathered at Socoh, which belongs to Judah; they encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes Dammim.
2 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and they encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in battle array against the Philistines.
3 The Philistines stood on a mountain on one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side, with a valley between them.
4 And a champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.
5 He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze.

The Philistines and Israelites are preparing for battle in the Valley of Elah, with both sides standing on opposing mountains. The introduction of Goliath, a massive warrior from Gath, sets the stage for the conflict. His impressive height and heavy armor emphasize his physical strength, making him an intimidating opponent. The contrast between the armies highlights the challenge Israel faces, as Goliath represents not just military might but also fear and intimidation.

1 Samuel 17:6-7 (NKJV)
6 And he had bronze armor on his legs and a bronze javelin between his shoulders.
7 Now the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his iron spearhead weighed six hundred shekels; and a shield-bearer went before him.

Goliath’s weaponry further amplifies his fearsome image. His spear is compared to a weaver's beam, signifying its enormous size, and the spearhead’s weight indicates the immense strength needed to wield it. The presence of a shield-bearer adds to the sense of overwhelming power. Goliath is portrayed as a seemingly invincible force, reinforcing the challenge David will later face.

1 Samuel 17:8-10 (NKJV)
8 Then he stood and cried out to the armies of Israel, and said to them, “Why have you come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me.
9 If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.”
10 And the Philistine said, “I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.”

Goliath taunts the Israelites, issuing a challenge for a one-on-one combat, with the outcome determining the fate of both nations. His words are intended to provoke fear and undermine the morale of Israel’s army. By framing the conflict as a duel, Goliath seeks to demonstrate his dominance and humiliate the Israelites. His defiance sets the tone for the impending showdown with David.

1 Samuel 17:11 (NKJV)
11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.

Saul and the Israelite army react with fear to Goliath's challenge. Their dismay highlights the psychological impact of Goliath’s presence and words, illustrating how fear can paralyze even the strongest of armies. Saul, who was once seen as a mighty king, is also shaken, indicating that the situation seems hopeless from a human perspective.

1 Samuel 17:12-15 (NKJV)
12 Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem Judah, whose name was Jesse, and who had eight sons. And the man was old, advanced in years, in the days of Saul.
13 The three oldest sons of Jesse had gone to follow Saul to the battle. The names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.
14 David was the youngest. And the three oldest followed Saul.
15 But David occasionally went and returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.

David, the youngest son of Jesse, is introduced in contrast to his older brothers who are already at the battlefield. David’s role as a shepherd and his back-and-forth trips between home and the battlefield illustrate his humble position. This setup serves as a backdrop for David’s unexpected rise as a hero in the story.

1 Samuel 17:16 (NKJV)
16 And the Philistine drew near and presented himself forty days, morning and evening.

For forty days, Goliath continues to taunt and challenge Israel, further demoralizing them. This prolonged period of intimidation suggests that the Israelites are becoming more hopeless as time goes on. The number forty often symbolizes a period of testing or trial in the Bible, indicating that this challenge is a significant test for Israel.

1 Samuel 17:17-18 (NKJV)
17 Then Jesse said to his son David, “Take now for your brothers an ephah of this dried grain and these ten loaves, and run to your brothers at the camp.
18 And carry these ten cheeses to the captain of their thousand, and see how your brothers fare, and bring back news of them.”

David’s father, Jesse, sends him to the battlefield with provisions for his brothers and their captain. David’s task is simple: to deliver food and check on the welfare of his brothers. This scene emphasizes David’s obedient and responsible nature. He is not there to fight but to serve, yet this journey will lead him to his defining moment.

1 Samuel 17:19-20 (NKJV)
19 Now Saul and they and all the men of Israel were in the Valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.
20 So David rose early in the morning, left the sheep with a keeper, and took the things and went as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the camp as the army was going out to the fight and shouting for the battle.

David dutifully follows his father’s instructions and arrives at the battlefield as the Israelite army is preparing to engage the Philistines. The noise and excitement of the army's movements show the tension and anticipation of the battle. David’s timely arrival places him at the heart of the action, although he remains unaware of the role he will soon play.

1 Samuel 17:21-23 (NKJV)
21 For Israel and the Philistines had drawn up in battle array, army against army.
22 And David left his supplies in the hand of the supply keeper, ran to the army, and came and greeted his brothers.
23 Then as he talked with them, there was the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, coming up from the armies of the Philistines; and he spoke according to the same words. So David heard them.

David arrives just as the battle lines are drawn, and he witnesses Goliath's challenge firsthand. While interacting with his brothers, David hears Goliath’s taunts for the first time. This moment marks the beginning of David's personal involvement in the conflict, as he is now directly exposed to the threat that has been intimidating Israel.

1 Samuel 17:24-25 (NKJV)
24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully afraid.
25 So the men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel; and it shall be that the man who kills him the king will enrich with great riches, will give him his daughter, and give his father’s house exemption from taxes in Israel.”

The Israelite soldiers continue to react in fear, running away whenever Goliath appears. They acknowledge that Goliath is challenging not just individuals but the entire nation of Israel. The king’s offer of wealth, marriage to his daughter, and tax exemption demonstrates how desperate Saul is to find someone willing to confront Goliath, yet no one has the courage to step forward.

1 Samuel 17:26-27 (NKJV)
26 Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
27 And the people answered him in this manner, saying, “So shall it be done for the man who kills him.”

David, upon hearing Goliath’s challenge, is indignant that this Philistine would dare to defy the armies of God. His question shows his faith in God, contrasting with the fear of the Israelite soldiers. He is not concerned with the rewards as much as the insult to God’s people. The people's response highlights the incentives offered by Saul, which David will soon disregard in favor of defending God’s honor.

1 Samuel 17:28-30 (NKJV)
28 Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was aroused against David, and he said, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.”
29 And David said, “What have I done now? Is there not a cause?”
30 Then he turned from him toward another and said the same thing; and these people answered him as the first ones did.

Eliab’s reaction is one of frustration, perhaps fueled by jealousy or shame for not stepping up to face Goliath himself. He accuses David of arrogance, but David’s response is simple and sincere, questioning why Eliab would criticize him when a great cause is at stake. David remains undeterred by his brother’s words and continues to ask about Goliath, determined to take action.

1 Samuel 17:31-33 (NKJV)
31 Now when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul; and he sent for him.
32 Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”
33 And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”

David’s courage catches the attention of Saul, who calls for him. Despite Saul’s doubts due to David’s young age and inexperience, David offers himself to fight Goliath, displaying confidence in God rather than in his own abilities. Saul's response reflects the prevailing attitude: that Goliath is unbeatable due to his lifelong experience as a warrior, but David’s faith is about to prove otherwise.

1 Samuel 17:34-37 (NKJV)
34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock,
35 I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it.
36 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.”
37 Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”

David recounts his past experiences as a shepherd, where he fought off lions and bears to protect his flock. These experiences of divine protection in dangerous situations give him confidence that God will deliver him from Goliath as well. David’s unwavering faith in God’s power convinces Saul, who reluctantly agrees to let David face Goliath, though he likely doubts the outcome.

1 Samuel 17:38-40 (NKJV)
38 So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail.
39 David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off.
40 Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine.

Saul tries to equip David with armor and weapons, but David finds them cumbersome and unfamiliar. Rather than relying on physical protection, David chooses to approach the battle with the tools he is accustomed to as a shepherd: his staff, a sling, and five smooth stones. This scene emphasizes that David’s trust is not in armor or weapons but in God’s ability to deliver him.

1 Samuel 17:41-44 (NKJV)
41 So the Philistine came, and began drawing near to David, and the man who bore the shield went before him.
42 And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking.
43 So the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
44 And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!”

As Goliath approaches, he is insulted by David’s youthful appearance and the fact that David carries no real weapons. Goliath mocks David, viewing him as no more than a boy and cursing him by his gods. His confidence in his own strength blinds him to the real threat David poses through his faith. Goliath’s taunts are aimed at humiliating David, but they will soon be his undoing.

1 Samuel 17:45-47 (NKJV)
45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
47 Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”

David boldly declares that his strength is not in physical weapons but in the name of the Lord. His confidence stems from his relationship with God, and he prophesies Goliath’s defeat. David’s words reflect his understanding that the battle is not about human might but about God’s power. His purpose is not just to defeat Goliath but to show the world that Israel’s God is the true and living God.

1 Samuel 17:48-49 (NKJV)
48 So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
49 Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth.

As Goliath moves toward David, the young shepherd runs quickly to meet him, not hesitating for a moment. David uses his sling, a tool he is familiar with, and with one well-aimed stone, he strikes Goliath on the forehead. The stone sinks into Goliath’s head, and the giant falls face-first to the ground. David’s simple act, empowered by God, brings down the seemingly invincible warrior.

1 Samuel 17:50-51 (NKJV)
50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David.
51 Therefore David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.

David’s victory over Goliath is completed with Goliath’s own sword. Without a sword of his own, David uses Goliath’s weapon to behead him, sealing the victory. The sight of their fallen champion causes the Philistines to panic and flee, as their confidence was entirely placed in Goliath. David’s triumph demonstrates the power of God to bring victory in the face of overwhelming odds.

1 Samuel 17:52-54 (NKJV)
52 Now the men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted, and pursued the Philistines as far as the entrance of the valley and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell along the road to Shaaraim, even as far as Gath and Ekron.
53 Then the children of Israel returned from chasing the Philistines, and they plundered their tents.
54 And David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his armor in his tent.

With Goliath dead, the Israelite army is emboldened and pursues the Philistines, defeating them and plundering their camp. David, as a symbol of his victory, brings Goliath’s head to Jerusalem, while keeping the giant’s armor as a personal trophy. The reversal of fortune for Israel underscores how David’s faith turned the tide of the battle, leading to a decisive victory for God’s people.

1 Samuel 17:55-58 (NKJV)
55 When Saul saw David going out against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this youth?” And Abner said, “As your soul lives, O king, I do not know.”
56 So the king said, “Inquire whose son this young man is.”
57 Then, as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand.
58 And Saul said to him, “Whose son are you, young man?” So David answered, “I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.”

Saul, astonished by David’s victory, inquires about his family. Despite David’s service in Saul’s court, Saul seems unfamiliar with his background. This moment of recognition marks the beginning of David’s rise in prominence. David humbly identifies himself as the son of Jesse, maintaining his humility even after such a great victory. This chapter sets the stage for David’s future role as Israel’s king.