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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 1 Samuel 17:1–11. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
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 occasion to use him for the relief of his distemper, though, being anointed, he had a very good private reason, and, having a grant of the place of Saul's armour-bearer, he had a very plausible pretence to have continued his attendance, as a retainer to the court, yet he went home to Bethlehem, and returned to keep his father's sheep; this was a rare instance, in a young man that stood so fair for preferment, of humility and affection to his parents. He knew better than most do how to come down again after he had begun to rise, and strangely preferred the retirements of the pastoral life before all the pleasures and gaieties of the court. None more fit for honour than he, nor that deserved it better, and yet none more dead to it.
II.How they defied Israel with their champion Goliath, whom they were almost as proud of as he was of himself, hoping by him to recover their reputation and dominion. Perhaps the army of the Israelites was superior in number and strength to that of the Philistines, which made the Philistines decline a battle, and stand at bay with them, desiring rather to put the issue upon a single combat, in which, having such a champion, they hoped to gain the victory. Now concerning this champion observe,
1.His prodigious size. He was of the sons of Anak, who at Gath kept their ground in Joshua's time (Jos 11:22), and kept up a race of giants there, of which Goliath was one, and, it is probable, one of the largest. He was in height six cubits and a span, v. 4. They learned bishop Cumberland has made it out that the scripture-cubit was above twenty-one inches (above three inches more than our half-yard) and a span was half a cubit, by which computation Goliath wanted but eight inches of four yard in height, eleven feet and four inches, a monstrous stature, and which made him very formidable, especially if he had strength and spirit proportionable.
2.His armour. Art, as well as nature, made him terrible. He was well furnished with defensive armour (Sa1 17:5, Sa1 17:6): A helmet of brass on his head, a coat of mail, made of brass plates laid over one another, like the scales of a fish; and, because his legs would lie most within the reach of an ordinary man, he wore brass boots, and had a large corselet of brass about his neck. The coat is said to weigh 5000 shekels, and a shekel was half an ounce avoirdupois, a vast weight for a man to carry, all the other parts of his armour being proportionable. But some think it should be translated, not the weight of the coat, but the value of it, was 5000 shekels; so much it cost. His offensive weapons were extraordinary, of which his spear only is here described, Sa1 17:7. It was like a weaver's beam. His arm could manage that which an ordinary man could scarcely heave. His shield only, which was the lightest of all his accoutrements, was carried before him by his esquire, probably for state; for he that was clad in brass little needed a shield.
3.His challenge. The Philistines having chosen him for their champion, to save themselves from the hazard of battle, he here throws down the gauntlet, and bids defiance to the armies of Israel, Sa1 17:8-10. He came into the valley that lay between the camps, and, his voice probably being as much stronger than other people's as his arm was, he cried so as to make them all hear him, Give me a man, that we may fight together. He looked upon himself with admiration, because he was so much taller and stronger than all about him; his heart (says bishop Hall) nothing but a lump of proud flesh. He looked upon Israel with disdain, because they had none among them of such a monstrous bulk, and defies them to find a man among them bold enough to enter the list with him. (1.) He upbraids them with their folly in drawing an army together: "Why have you come to set the battle in array? How dare you oppose the mighty Philistines?" Or, "Why should the two armies engage, when the controversy may be sooner decided, with only the expense of one life and the hazard of another?" (2.) He offers to put the war entirely upon the issue of the duel he proposes: "If your champion kill me, we will be your servants; if I kill him, you shall be ours." This, says bishop Patrick, was only a bravado, for no nation would be willing thus to venture its all upon the success of one man, nor is it justifiable; notwithstanding Goliath's stipulation here, when he was killed the Philistines did not stand to his word, nor submit themselves as servants to Israel. When he boasts, I am a Philistine, and you are servants to Saul, he would have it thought a great piece of condescension in him, who was a chief ruler, to enter the lists with an Israelite; for he looked on them as no better than slaves. The Chaldee paraphrase brings him in boasting that he was the man that had killed Hophni and Phinehas and taken the ark prisoner, but that the Philistines had never given him so much as the command of a regiment in recompence of his services, whereas Saul had been made king for his services: "Let him therefore take up the challenge."
4.The terror this struck upon Israel: Saul and his army were greatly afraid, Sa1 17:11. The people would not have been dismayed but that they observed Saul's courage failed him; and it is not to be expected that, if the leader be a coward, the followers should be bold. We found before, when the Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul (Sa1 11:6), none could be more daring nor forward to answer the challenge of Nahash the Ammonite, but now that the Spirit of the Lord had departed from him even the big looks and big words of a single Philistine make him change colour. But where was Jonathan all this while? Why did not he accept the challenge, who, in the last war, had so bravely engaged a whole army of Philistines? Doubtless he did not feel himself stirred up of God to it, as he did in the former case. As the best, so the bravest men, are no more than what God makes them. Jonathan must now sit still, because the honour of engaging Goliath is reserved for David. In great and good actions, the wind of the Spirit blows when and where he listeth. Now the pious Israelites lament their king's breach with Samuel.
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Summary
1 Samuel 17:1 meticulously establishes the volatile geopolitical landscape of ancient Israel by detailing the strategic assembly of the Philistine army for a decisive battle. This foundational verse precisely locates their encampment at Shochoh, a town explicitly noted as belonging to Judah, and specifies their tactical position between Shochoh and Azekah, within the region known as Ephesdammim. It immediately plunges the reader into the high-stakes, ongoing conflict between Israel and their formidable Philistine adversaries, underscoring the critical territorial dispute and setting the stage for one of the most pivotal and iconic confrontations in biblical history.
Context
Literary Context
This verse serves as an abrupt and dramatic shift in the narrative of 1 Samuel. It immediately follows the private anointing of David by Samuel in 1 Samuel 16, an act of divine appointment that remained hidden from public view while Saul still reigned. Concurrently, Saul's spiritual and mental state has deteriorated, plagued by an evil spirit, with David having been introduced to the court as a soothing musician. Chapter 17, therefore, pivots sharply from the internal, spiritual dynamics of Saul's declining kingship and David's nascent anointing to an urgent, external national crisis. The Philistine mobilization described here is not a mere border skirmish but a full-scale military offensive, strategically designed to challenge Israel's sovereignty and perhaps exploit Saul's perceived weakness. This precise geographical setting of the armies in the Valley of Elah, as further elaborated in 1 Samuel 17:2-3, creates the perfect dramatic backdrop for the introduction of Goliath and David's subsequent, divinely empowered victory, demonstrating God's sovereign hand in Israel's history.
Historical & Cultural Context
The early period of the united monarchy under Saul was characterized by persistent and often brutal conflict with the Philistines. These "Sea Peoples," who had settled on the coastal plain of Canaan, possessed superior iron technology and a highly organized military, posing a constant existential threat to the fledgling Israelite kingdom. The locations mentioned—Shochoh (modern Khirbet Shuweikeh) and Azekah (modern Tell Zakariya)—were strategically vital strongholds in the Shephelah, the low hills bordering the Judean highlands. Their control was crucial for both Philistine expansion into the heartland of Judah and for Israel's defense against such incursions. The Valley of Elah, situated between these two points, served as a natural corridor and a common battleground, making its control paramount. The Philistines' encampment "between Shochoh and Azekah" indicates a well-chosen defensive and offensive position, likely on a ridge overlooking the valley, facing the Israelite forces. This geographical precision underscores the historical veracity and the high stakes of the impending battle, reflecting the constant struggle for dominance in the region.
Key Themes
1 Samuel 17:1 immediately introduces several critical themes that permeate the entire narrative of David and Goliath and indeed the broader book of Samuel. Firstly, it highlights the persistent threat of the Philistines to Israel's existence and sovereignty, setting the stage for a confrontation where national survival is at stake. Secondly, the verse emphasizes the strategic nature of warfare in this period, with precise geographical details underscoring the importance of territorial control and military positioning. The fact that Shochoh "belongeth to Judah" explicitly frames the conflict as a territorial dispute, emphasizing the Philistine encroachment. Most significantly, this verse serves as the initial setup for divine intervention and God's sovereignty. While it describes a purely human military gathering, it meticulously positions the adversaries, preparing the scene for God to demonstrate His power not through conventional human might (which Israel notably lacked in comparison to the Philistines, as seen in 1 Samuel 13:19-22), but through an unexpected, divinely chosen champion. This foreshadows the Lord's deliverance in battle, as declared later in 1 Samuel 17:47, where David proclaims that "the battle is the Lord's."
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term refers to the dominant non-Israelite power residing in the coastal plain during the early Israelite monarchy. As a patrial from Pelesheth, they were a formidable, technologically advanced people (possessing superior iron weaponry, unlike Israel) and militarily organized, often serving as a persistent challenge to Israel's faith and obedience. Their gathering here signifies a major, strategic offensive, not a mere raid, indicating a well-planned military operation.
This name, meaning "hedge" or "thicket," refers to a fortified city located in the Shephelah, the low hills that served as a buffer zone between the Judean highlands and the Philistine plain. Its explicit mention as belonging "to Judah" emphasizes the Philistine incursion into Israelite territory, highlighting the territorial dispute at the heart of the conflict. Its strategic location made it a crucial point for controlling access to the Judean heartland.
This place name is highly evocative, derived from "boundary of blood-drops." This powerful imagery directly foreshadows the bloody conflict about to unfold in the valley below. The name itself adds a layer of ominous significance to the chosen battleground, hinting at the violent and decisive nature of the confrontation that will take place.
Verse Breakdown
"Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle"
This opening clause immediately establishes the primary antagonists and their hostile intent. The phrase "gathered together their armies" (Hebrew: אָסְפוּ צְבָאוֹת, 'asfu ts'va'ot') indicates a full-scale military mobilization, suggesting a well-organized and formidable force, not merely a raiding party. Their explicit purpose is "to battle," signifying a decisive confrontation aimed at achieving a significant military objective.
"and were gathered together at Shochoh, which [belongeth] to Judah"
This specifies the initial point of assembly for the Philistine forces. Shochoh's designation as belonging "to Judah" is crucial, underscoring that the Philistines are encroaching upon Israelite territory. This highlights the territorial and existential threat posed by the Philistines to the nascent Israelite kingdom and, specifically, to the tribe of Judah, emphasizing the direct challenge to Israel's sovereignty.
"and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim"
This provides the precise geographical location of the Philistine encampment. "Pitched" (Hebrew: וַיַּחֲנוּ, vayyachanū, from chânâh meaning "to encamp") indicates they set up their military camp, signifying a prepared position for sustained engagement. Shochoh and Azekah were two key fortified towns in the Shephelah, flanking the Valley of Elah. Their position "between" these two towns places them directly in the strategic valley, allowing them to control the corridor and face the Israelite forces. The mention of "Ephesdammim" further localizes their exact position within this strategic area, adding to the historical precision of the account and, as noted in Key Word Analysis, powerfully foreshadowing the bloody outcome.
Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several Literary Devices to set the scene and heighten anticipation. Geographical Precision is paramount, with the naming of Shochoh, Azekah, and Ephesdammim. This meticulous detail grounds the narrative in historical reality, lending verisimilitude to the account and allowing the reader to visualize the strategic battleground. The very name Ephesdammim functions as a powerful form of Foreshadowing, as its potential meaning ("boundary of blood-drops") eerily predicts the violent and decisive conflict that is about to unfold. This adds a layer of dramatic irony and thematic depth, as the chosen battleground itself seems to whisper of the coming bloodshed. Furthermore, the abrupt opening with the immediate declaration of the Philistine mobilization creates a strong sense of Anticipation and immediate crisis, drawing the reader directly into the high stakes of the narrative without preamble. The narrative also employs Contrast by implicitly setting the formidable, organized Philistine army against the later revelation of Israel's fear and lack of a champion, highlighting the disparity in strength that only divine intervention can overcome.
Theological and Thematic Connections
This foundational verse, by detailing the formidable Philistine threat and their strategic positioning, immediately establishes the context for a profound theological truth: God's sovereignty over all human events, even military conflicts. The Philistine gathering is not merely a random act of war but an orchestrated event within God's larger plan to demonstrate His power and to elevate His chosen champion, David. It highlights that even when human forces seem overwhelming and strategically superior, the ultimate outcome rests in the hands of the Lord. This conflict, therefore, becomes a test of Israel's faith and a stage for God to reveal His faithfulness and strength through unexpected means, emphasizing that salvation does not come by sword or spear, but by the Lord, as David himself would later declare.
Reflection and Application
1 Samuel 17:1 serves as a powerful reminder that significant, life-altering events often begin with seemingly mundane or threatening preparations. Just as the Philistines meticulously gathered their forces, we too face "battles" in life—challenges, crises, and overwhelming circumstances that seem to position themselves strategically against us. This verse calls us to recognize that even in the most daunting scenarios, God is sovereignly at work, orchestrating events for His purposes. Our spiritual readiness is paramount, not in our own strength, but in understanding the spiritual forces at play and trusting in God's ultimate control. The detailed setting of the Philistine encampment underscores that God is intimately involved in the specifics of our trials, preparing the way for His intervention and demonstration of power. This can offer profound comfort: even when we feel surrounded by overwhelming odds, the stage is set, the players are positioned, and God is already working out His larger, redemptive plan, much like He was preparing the way for David's rise and Israel's ultimate deliverance. It encourages us to look beyond the immediate threat to the sovereign hand of God, who uses even the most formidable adversaries to display His glory and fulfill His promises.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who were the Philistines and why were they a constant threat to Israel?
The Philistines were a powerful, non-Semitic people who settled on the southwestern coast of Canaan (modern-day Gaza Strip and surrounding areas) around the 12th century BC. They are widely believed to be one of the "Sea Peoples" who migrated from the Aegean region. Their constant threat to Israel stemmed from several interconnected factors: they possessed superior military technology, particularly iron weaponry, which Israel largely lacked (1 Samuel 13:19-22); they were highly organized politically and militarily, ruled by five lords of their major cities (Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Gath, Ekron); and they sought to expand their territory eastward into the fertile Shephelah and Judean highlands, which directly conflicted with Israelite settlement and control. This territorial ambition led to frequent and intense battles, making them the primary external adversary for Israel during the period of the Judges and the early monarchy, as seen throughout the books of Judges and 1 Samuel. Their presence represented a continuous challenge to Israel's security and its very existence as a nation.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
1 Samuel 17:1, with its stark depiction of a formidable enemy arrayed against God's people in a strategic valley, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate spiritual conflict and the triumph achieved through God's chosen champion, Jesus Christ. Just as the Philistines gathered their armies, humanity stands under the shadow of a far greater adversary: sin, death, and the spiritual forces of evil that seek to enslave and destroy (Ephesians 6:12). Israel's inability to confront Goliath, despite their king and army, mirrors humanity's utter helplessness to overcome sin and death through its own strength or adherence to the law (Romans 3:20). David, the shepherd boy, emerges as God's unexpected champion, fighting not with conventional weapons but with unwavering faith in the Lord of Hosts, securing a miraculous victory for his people. This points directly to Christ, the true and greater Son of David, who, though seemingly humble and unassuming in His earthly form, confronted the ultimate Goliath—Satan and the power of sin and death—not with earthly might, but through His perfect obedience, sacrificial death on the cross, and glorious resurrection (Colossians 2:15). The decisive victory in the Valley of Elah, won by one man for all Israel, prefigures the cosmic victory achieved by Christ, who, as the Lamb of God, takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29) and delivers all who believe from the dominion of darkness into His marvelous light (Colossians 1:13-14). Thus, 1 Samuel 17:1 sets the stage for a physical battle that ultimately points to the spiritual warfare and ultimate, eternal triumph of our Lord Jesus Christ.