King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.
Complete Jewish Bible:
When Sha'ul and all Isra'el heard those words of the P'lishti, they were shaken and terrified.
Berean Standard Bible:
On hearing the words of the Philistine, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and greatly afraid.
American Standard Version:
And when Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
When Saul{H7586} and all Israel{H3478} heard{H8085} those words{H1697} of the Philistine{H6430}, they were dismayed{H2865}, and greatly{H3966} afraid{H3372}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Joshua 1:9
- Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Deuteronomy 31:8
- And the LORD, he [it is] that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
Isaiah 51:12
- I, [even] I, [am] he that comforteth you: who [art] thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man [that] shall die, and of the son of man [which] shall be made [as] grass;
Isaiah 51:13
- And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where [is] the fury of the oppressor?
Isaiah 57:11
- And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid [it] to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?
Proverbs 28:1
- ¶ The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Psalms 27:1
- ¶ [A Psalm] of David. The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 1 Samuel 17:11
1 Samuel 17:11 is a verse set within the famous narrative of David and Goliath. This verse specifically captures the reaction of the Israelite army, led by King Saul, to the taunts of Goliath, the Philistine champion. The historical context is the ongoing conflict between the Israelites and the Philistines, with this particular encounter taking place in the Valley of Elah.
In the verse, "Saul and all Israel" represent the collective fear and demoralization of the entire Israelite army in the face of Goliath's challenge. The Philistine giant has been mocking the Israelites and their God, proposing a one-on-one combat to decide the outcome of the battle, thereby avoiding a full-scale war that would result in unnecessary bloodshed on both sides. The Israelites' response of being "dismayed, and greatly afraid" underscores their lack of faith and the paralyzing effect of Goliath's intimidation. It highlights the themes of fear versus faith, the underestimation of the Lord's power, and the importance of courage and trust in God in the face of overwhelming odds.
This moment of collective despair sets the stage for the young David to emerge as the unexpected hero, not relying on human strength or armor, but on his unwavering faith in God's ability to deliver. His willingness to face Goliath becomes a powerful testament to the theme that with God, the seemingly weak can overcome the mighty. The verse encapsulates the human tendency to rely on visible strength and to be overwhelmed by the magnitude of challenges, contrasting sharply with the divine strength that is later exemplified through David's actions.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7586
There are 335 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁאוּל
Transliteration: Shâʼûwl
Pronunciation: shaw-ool'
Description: passive participle of שָׁאַל; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites; Saul, Shaul. - Strong's Number: H3478
There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel. - Strong's Number: H8085
There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמַע
Transliteration: shâmaʻ
Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. - Strong's Number: H1697
There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּבָר
Transliteration: dâbâr
Pronunciation: daw-baw'
Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. - Strong's Number: H6430
There are 244 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פְּלִשְׁתִּי
Transliteration: Pᵉlishtîy
Pronunciation: pel-ish-tee'
Description: patrial from פְּלֶשֶׁת; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth; Philistine. - Strong's Number: H2865
There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָתַת
Transliteration: châthath
Pronunciation: khaw-thath'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear; abolish, affright, be (make) afraid, amaze, beat down, discourage, (cause to) dismay, go down, scare, terrify. - Strong's Number: H3966
There are 278 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מְאֹד
Transliteration: mᵉʼôd
Pronunciation: meh-ode'
Description: from the same as אוּד; properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or superlative; especially when repeated); diligently, especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), [idiom] louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so) sore, utterly, very ([phrase] much, sore), well. - Strong's Number: H3372
There are 305 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָרֵא
Transliteration: yârêʼ
Pronunciation: yaw-ray'
Description: a primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten; affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in) fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), [idiom] see, terrible (act, -ness, thing).