I Samuel 17
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Now the Philistines gathered together - Calmet thinks that this war happened eight years after the anointing of David, and ten or twelve years after the war with the Amalekites. We have already seen that there was war between Saul and the Philistines all his days. See Sa1 14:52. Shochoh and Azekah - Places which lay to the south of Jerusalem and to the west of Bethlehem; about five leagues from the former. Ephes-dammim was somewhere in the vicinity, but it is not known where. See Calmet.
Open source ↗THE ISRAELITES AND PHILISTINES BEING READY TO BATTLE. (Sa1 17:1-3) the Philistines gathered together their armies--twenty-seven years after their overthrow at Michmash. Having now recovered their spirits and strength, they sought an opportunity of wiping out the infamy of that national disaster, as well as to regain their lost ascendency over Israel. Shocoh--now Shuweikeh, a town in the western plains of Judah (Jos 15:35), nine Roman miles from Eleutheropolis, toward Jerusalem [ROBINSON]. Azekah--a small place in the neighborhood. Ephes-dammim--or, "Pas-dammim" (Ch1 11:13), "the portion" or "effusion of blood," situated between the other two.
Open source ↗Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle,.... Josephus (s) says this was not long after the things related in the preceding chapter were transacted; and very probably they had heard of the melancholy and distraction of Saul, and thought it a proper opportunity of avenging themselves on Israel for their last slaughter of them, and for that purpose gathered together their dispersed troops: and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah; a city of the tribe of Judah, Jos 15:35, which shows that, notwithstanding their last defeat, they had great footing in the land of Israel, or however had penetrated far into it in this march of theirs: and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah; which were both in the same tribe, and near one another, of which See Gill on Jos 10:10; see Gill on Jos 15:35. in Ephesdammim; which, by an apocope of the first letter, is called Pasdammim, Ch1 11:13 which the Jews (t) say had this name because there blood ceased. (s) Antiqu. l. 6. c. 9. sect. 1. (t) Midrash Ruth, fol. 48. 2. Kimchi in loc.
Open source ↗A war between the Philistines and the Israelites furnished David with the opportunity of displaying before Saul and all Israel, and greatly to the terror of the enemies of his people, that heroic power which was firmly based upon his bold and pious trust in the omnipotence of the faithful covenant God (Sa1 17:1-3). A powerful giant, named Goliath, came forward from the ranks of the Philistines, and scornfully challenged the Israelites to produce a man who would decide the war by a single combat with him (Sa1 17:4-11). David, who had returned home for a time from the court of Saul, and had just been sent into the camp by his father with provisions for his elder brothers who were serving in the army, as soon as he heard the challenge and the scornful words of the Philistine, offered to fight with him (vv. 15-37), and killed the giant with a stone from a sling; whereupon the Philistines took to flight, and were pursued by the Israelites to Gath and Ekron (vv. 38-54). Sa1 17:1-11 Some time after David first came to Saul for the purpose of playing, and when he had gone back to his father to Bethlehem, probably because Saul's condition had improved, the Philistines made a fresh attempt to subjugate the Israelites. They collected their army together (machaneh, as in Exo 14:24; Jdg 4:16) to war at Shochoh, the present Shuweikeh, in the Wady Sumt, three hours and a half to the south-west of Jerusalem, in the hilly region between the mountains of Judah and the plain of Philistia (see at Jos 15:35), and encamped between Shochoh and Azekah, at Ephes-dammim, which has been preserved in the ruins of Damm, about an hour and a half east by north of Shuweikeh; so that Azekah, which has not yet been certainly traced, must be sought for to the east or north-east of Damm (see at Jos 10:10)…
Open source ↗It was not long ago that the Philistines were soundly beaten, and put to the worse, before Israel, and they would have been totally routed if Saul's rashness had not prevented; but here we have them making head again. Observe, I. How they defied Israel with their armies, Sa1 17:1. They made a descent upon the Israelites' country, and possessed themselves, as it should seem, of some part of it, for they encamped in a place which belonged to Judah. Israel's ground would never have been footing for Philistine-armies if Israel had been faithful to their God. The Philistines (it is probable) had heard that Samuel had fallen out with Saul and forsaken him, and no longer assisted and advised him, and that Saul had grown melancholy and unfit for business, and this news encouraged them to make this attempt for the retrieving of the credit they had lately lost. The enemies of the church are watchful to take all advantages, and they never have greater advantages than when her protectors have provoked God's Spirit and prophets to leave them. Saul mustered his forces, and faced them, Sa1 17:2, Sa1 17:3. And here we must take notice, 1. That the evil spirit, for the present, had left Saul, Sa1 16:23. David's harp having given him some relief, perhaps the alarms and affairs of the war prevented the return of the distemper. Business is a good antidote against melancholy. Let the mind have something without to fasten on and employ itself about, and it will be the less in danger of preying upon itself. God, in mercy to Israel, suspended the judgment for a while; for how distracted must the affairs of the public have been if at this juncture the prince had been distracted! 2. That David for the present had returned to Bethlehem, and had left the court, Sa1 17:15. When Saul had no further…
Open source ↗17:1 The Philistines presented an ongoing threat throughout Saul’s reign (see 14:47-52). • Socoh in Judah was fourteen miles west of Bethlehem toward Philistine territory. • Azekah was a few miles northwest of Socoh (the precise location of Ephes-dammim is unknown). The Philistines were encroaching on Israelite territory.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
פְּלִשְׁתִּי (Pᵉlishtîy, H6430) — a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… מַחֲנֶה (machăneh, H4264) — an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or… מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) שׂוֹכֹה (Sôwkôh, H7755) — Sokoh or Soko, the name of two places in Palestine יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… חָנָה (chânâh, H2583) — properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening);… עֲזֵקָה (ʻĂzêqâh, H5825) — Azekah, a place in Palestine אֶפֶס דַּמִּים (ʼEpheç Dammîym, H658) — Ephes-Dammim, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… חָנָה (chânâh, H2583) — properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening);… עֵמֶק (ʻêmeq, H6010) — a vale (i.e. broad depression) אֵלָה (ʼÊlâh, H425) — Elah, the name of an Edomite, of four Israelites, and also of a place in Palestine מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) עָרַךְ (ʻârak, H6186) — to set in a row, i.e. arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications) קִרְאָה (qirʼâh, H7125) — an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite) פְּלִשְׁתִּי (Pᵉlishtîy, H6430) — a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth
Open source ↗פְּלִשְׁתִּי (Pᵉlishtîy, H6430) — a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity גַּיְא (gayʼ, H1516) — a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)
Open source ↗יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… בֵּנַיִם (bênayim, H1143) — a double interval, i.e. the space between two armies מַחֲנֶה (machăneh, H4264) — an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or… פְּלִשְׁתִּי (Pᵉlishtîy, H6430) — a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… גׇּלְיַת (Golyath, H1555) — Goljath, a Philistine גַּת (Gath, H1661) — Gath, a Philistine city גֹּבַהּ (gôbahh, H1363) — elation, grandeur, arrogance שֵׁשׁ (shêsh, H8337) — six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth אַמָּה (ʼammâh, H520) — properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a… זֶרֶת (zereth, H2239) — the spread of the fingers, i.e. a span
Open source ↗כּוֹבַע (kôwbaʻ, H3553) — a helmet (as arched) נְחֹשֶׁת (nᵉchôsheth, H5178) — copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… לָבַשׁ (lâbash, H3847) — properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on agarment or clothe (oneself, or… שִׁרְיוֹן (shiryôwn, H8302) — a corslet (as if twisted) קַשְׂקֶשֶׂת (qasqeseth, H7193) — a scale (of a fish); hence a coat of mail (as composed of or covered with jointed plates… מִשְׁקָל (mishqâl, H4948) — weight (numerically estimated); hence, weighing (the act) חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… שֶׁקֶל (sheqel, H8255) — probably a weight; used as a commercial standard
Open source ↗מִצְחָה (mitschâh, H4697) — a shinpiece of armor (as prominent), only plural נְחֹשֶׁת (nᵉchôsheth, H5178) — copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as… רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda כִּידוֹן (kîydôwn, H3591) — properly, something to strike with, i.e. a dart כָּתֵף (kâthêph, H3802) — the shoulder (proper, i.e. upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments…
Open source ↗עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) חֵץ (chêts, H2671) — properly, a piercer, i.e. an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of God)… חֲנִית (chănîyth, H2595) — a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent) אָרַג (ʼârag, H707) — to plait or weave מָנוֹר (mânôwr, H4500) — a yoke (properly, for plowing), i.e. the frame of aloom לֶהָבָה (lehâbâh, H3852) — {a flash; figuratively, a sharply polished blade or point of aweapon} שֵׁשׁ (shêsh, H8337) — six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction שֶׁקֶל (sheqel, H8255) — probably a weight; used as a commercial standard בַּרְזֶל (barzel, H1270) — iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative צִנָּה (tsinnâh, H6793) — a hook (as pointed); also a (large) shield (as if guarding by prickliness); also cold (as… הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… מַעֲרָכָה (maʻărâkâh, H4634) — an arrangement; concretely, a pile; specifically a military array יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) עָרַךְ (ʻârak, H6186) — to set in a row, i.e. arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications) פְּלִשְׁתִּי (Pᵉlishtîy, H6430) — a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites בָּרָה (bârâh, H1262) — to select; to feed; to render clear אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the…
Open source ↗יָכֹל (yâkôl, H3201) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might) לָחַם (lâcham, H3898) — to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction) נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.
Open source ↗פְּלִשְׁתִּי (Pᵉlishtîy, H6430) — a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) חָרַף (châraph, H2778) — to pull off, i.e. (by implication) to expose (as by stripping); specifically, to betroth… מַעֲרָכָה (maʻărâkâh, H4634) — an arrangement; concretely, a pile; specifically a military array יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… לָחַם (lâcham, H3898) — to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction) יַחַד (yachad, H3162) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly
Open source ↗שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause פְּלִשְׁתִּי (Pᵉlishtîy, H6430) — a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth חָתַת (châthath, H2865) — properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or… מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אֶפְרָתִי (ʼEphrâthîy, H673) — an Ephrathite or an Ephraimite בֵּית לֶחֶם (Bêyth Lechem, H1035) — Beth-Lechem, a place in Palestine יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… יִשַׁי (Yishay, H3448) — Jishai, David's father שְׁמֹנֶה (shᵉmôneh, H8083) — a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal)… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) זָקֵן (zâqên, H2204) — to be old יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites
Open source ↗שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשַׁי (Yishay, H3448) — Jishai, David's father יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) אֱלִיאָב (ʼĔlîyʼâb, H446) — Eliab, the name of six Israelites בְּכוֹר (bᵉkôwr, H1060) — firstborn; hence, chief מִשְׁנֶה (mishneh, H4932) — properly, a repetition, i.e. a duplicate (copy of a document), or a double (in amount);… אֲבִינָדָב (ʼĂbîynâdâb, H41) — Abinadab, the name of four Israelites
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse קָטָן (qâṭân, H6996) — abbreviated, i.e. diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in… שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah,
He was with David at Pas-dammim when the Philistines gathered there for battle. At the place with a field full of barley, the troops fled from the Philistines.
Now the Philistines assembled to fight against Israel with three thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.
The Philistines had also raided the cities of the foothills and the Negev of Judah, capturing and occupying Beth-shemesh, Aijalon, and Gederoth, as well as Soco, Timnah, and Gimzo with their villages.
the five rulers of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who lived in the mountains of Lebanon from Mount Baal-hermon to Lebo-hamath.
as the army of the king of Babylon was fighting against Jerusalem and the remaining cities of Judah—against Lachish and Azekah. For these were the only fortified cities remaining in Judah.
Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam,
Then Saul gave up his pursuit of the Philistines, and the Philistines returned to their own land.
When the Philistines heard that the Israelites had gathered at Mizpah, their rulers marched up toward Israel. And when the Israelites learned of this, they feared the Philistines
And the war with the Philistines was fierce for all the days of Saul. So whenever he noticed any strong or brave man, Saul would enlist him.