1 Samuel 17:47

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle [is] the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.

Complete Jewish Bible:

and everyone assembled here will know that ADONAI does not save by sword or spear. For this is ADONAI's battle, and he will hand you over to us."

Berean Standard Bible:

And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”

American Standard Version:

and that all this assembly may know that Jehovah saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is Jehovah’s, and he will give you into our hand.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And all this assembly^{H6951} shall know^{H3045} that the LORD^{H3068} saveth^{H3467} not with sword^{H2719} and spear^{H2595}: for the battle^{H4421} is the LORD'S^{H3068}, and he will give^{H5414} you into our hands^{H3027}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for 1 Samuel 17:47

1 Samuel 17:47 is a verse that captures a pivotal moment in the famous biblical account of David and Goliath. Set in the context of an ancient battle between the Israelites and the Philistines, this verse is part of David's bold declaration to Goliath, the Philistine champion. David, a young shepherd who has come to the battlefield to deliver food to his brothers, volunteers to face Goliath after witnessing the fear that the giant's challenge has instilled in the Israelite army and even in King Saul's court.

In this verse, David proclaims that the outcome of the battle will demonstrate to all present that victory does not come from military might alone—"not with sword and spear." Instead, David asserts that the battle belongs to the Lord, implying that God's power and will are the ultimate determinants of victory. By stating that God will deliver Goliath into their hands, David expresses his unwavering faith in God's protection and sovereignty over human affairs, particularly in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

The themes present in this verse include the power of faith, the sovereignty of God, and the idea that God can use the weak and insignificant in the world's eyes to accomplish His purposes. It also highlights the contrast between human reliance on physical strength and military technology versus trust in the divine. This moment in the narrative serves to foreshadow the unexpected victory that David will achieve over Goliath, a story that has become emblematic of overcoming great challenges through faith and the assurance that God is with those who trust in Him. Historically, this event would have bolstered the morale of the Israelites and reinforced their national identity as a people chosen and protected by God.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H6951
   There are 116 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָהָל
   Transliteration: qâhâl
   Pronunciation: kaw-hawl'
   Description: from קָהַל; assemblage (usually concretely); assembly, company, congregation, multitude.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3045
   There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָדַע
   Transliteration: yâdaʻ
   Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
   Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3467
   There are 198 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָשַׁע
   Transliteration: yâshaʻ
   Pronunciation: yaw-shah'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor; [idiom] at all, avenging, defend, deliver(-er), help, preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation, save(-iour), get victory.
   
5. Strong's Number: H2719
   There are 372 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֶרֶב
   Transliteration: chereb
   Pronunciation: kheh'-reb
   Description: from חָרַב; drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement; axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool.
   
6. Strong's Number: H2595
   There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֲנִית
   Transliteration: chănîyth
   Pronunciation: khan-eeth'
   Description: lemma חֲניִת second vowel, corrected to חֲנִית; from חָנָה; a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent); javelin, spear.
   
7. Strong's Number: H4421
   There are 308 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִלְחָמָה
   Transliteration: milchâmâh
   Pronunciation: mil-khaw-maw'
   Description: from לָחַם (in the sense of fighting); a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare); battle, fight(-ing), war(-rior).
   
8. Strong's Number: H5414
   There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָתַן
   Transliteration: nâthan
   Pronunciation: naw-than'
   Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield.
   
9. Strong's Number: H3027
   There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָד
   Transliteration: yâd
   Pronunciation: yawd
   Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.