1 Samuel 17:11

KJV

When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 17:11 captures the profound and widespread fear that gripped King Saul and the entire Israelite army upon hearing the defiant challenge of Goliath, the Philistine champion. This verse marks a critical juncture in the narrative, revealing the psychological and spiritual paralysis of God's chosen people and their king, setting the stage for the dramatic intervention of David and the demonstration of divine power against overwhelming human weakness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the opening scene of the iconic confrontation between David and Goliath in [1 Samuel 17](/1_samuel/17 "1 Samuel 17 - David and Goliath"). Following Goliath's initial, terrifying challenge to the Israelite army (see [1 Samuel 17:4-10](/1_samuel/17-4 "1 Samuel 17:4 - Goliath's appearance") and [1 Samuel 17:8-10](/1_samuel/17-8 "1 Samuel 17:8-10 - Goliath's challenge to single combat")), verse 11 serves as the direct response, highlighting the immediate and overwhelming impact of his words. It contrasts sharply with the bold faith and courage that David will soon display, emphasizing the dire state of Israel's morale and leadership before David's arrival. The narrative meticulously builds the tension, portraying the Philistine's dominance and Israel's helplessness, thereby magnifying the significance of David's eventual victory.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The standoff between the Philistines and Israelites occurred in the [Valley of Elah](/1_samuel/17-2 "1 Samuel 17:2 - The armies gather in the Valley of Elah"), a strategic border region southwest of Jerusalem, frequently contested between the two peoples. The Philistines, a technologically superior and militarily formidable force, often clashed with Israel, especially during Saul's reign. The practice of "champion combat," where two armies agree to let their fate be decided by a duel between their strongest warriors, though rare, was known in ancient warfare as a way to minimize casualties. Goliath's challenge, however, was not merely a military tactic but a psychological weapon, designed to demoralize and break the spirit of the Israelite army. For Saul, Israel's king and military leader, his and his army's fear represented a significant failure of leadership and a lack of trust in the God who had appointed him to deliver Israel.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully introduces several key themes central to the book of 1 Samuel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Fear and Paralysis**, demonstrating how overwhelming fear can render an entire army, including its king, utterly helpless despite numerical strength. This fear is not merely tactical but deeply spiritual, revealing a lack of faith in God's ability to deliver. Secondly, it highlights the **Crisis of Leadership** under King Saul. Saul, chosen by God to lead Israel, is shown to be as terrified as his men, unable to inspire courage or rely on God, a stark contrast to the leadership soon to be demonstrated by David, who would later declare that [the battle is the LORD's](/1_samuel/17-47 "1 Samuel 17:47 - The battle is the LORD's"). Thirdly, the verse sets the stage for the dramatic display of **Human Weakness vs. Divine Power**. The collective fear of the Israelite army emphasizes the limitations of human strength, strategy, and courage when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds, preparing the reader for the subsequent narrative where God grants victory through an unlikely and seemingly insignificant champion, demonstrating that [God does not save by sword and spear](/1_samuel/17-47 "1 Samuel 17:47 - God does not save by sword and spear").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Dismayed (Hebrew, _ḥāṯaṯ'_):** This verb signifies to be broken, shattered, or terrified. It conveys a profound sense of losing courage, resolve, and feeling utterly helpless. It suggests a psychological and spiritual collapse, not just a momentary fright, but a deep-seated despair that incapacitates action. The Israelites were not just afraid; their spirit was broken.
* **Greatly Afraid (Hebrew, _yārēʾ_ with intensification):** The root *yārēʾ* means to fear, dread, or be in awe. The addition of the intensifying adverb (often implied by context or accompanying words) indicates a pervasive, overwhelming terror that had seized their hearts and minds. It suggests a fear so profound that it led to paralysis, preventing any individual or the collective army from responding to Goliath's challenge. This was not a rational assessment of risk, but a debilitating dread.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine":** This clause establishes the immediate cause of their reaction: Goliath's specific challenge (see [1 Samuel 17:8-10](/1_samuel/17-8 "1 Samuel 17:8-10 - Goliath's challenge")). The inclusion of "Saul and all Israel" emphasizes the universality of the fear, from the highest authority to the common soldier. It highlights a crisis of leadership as much as a crisis of morale.
* **"they were dismayed":** This signifies the internal, psychological impact. Their courage was broken, their resolve shattered. They lost heart, indicating a profound spiritual and emotional defeat even before a physical battle had begun. This points to a deeper issue than just facing a strong opponent; it suggests a failure of faith.
* **"and greatly afraid":** This clause reinforces and intensifies the previous one, describing the outward manifestation and depth of their terror. It was not a slight apprehension but a deep, paralyzing dread that rendered them immobile and incapable of action. This fear was so overwhelming that it prevented any of them from accepting Goliath's challenge for forty days (see [1 Samuel 17:16](/1_samuel/17-16 "1 Samuel 17:16 - Goliath's 40-day challenge")).

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to powerfully convey the Israelite army's state. **Hyperbole** is evident in "all Israel," emphasizing the collective and pervasive nature of the fear, suggesting that not a single person was exempt from this terror, from the king down. This exaggeration underscores the severity of the situation. **Foreshadowing** is also present, as the profound fear and paralysis of Saul and Israel set the stage for the dramatic entrance of David, whose courage and faith will stand in stark contrast to the army's cowardice, thereby magnifying God's power working through an unlikely champion. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Contrast** by juxtaposing Goliath's intimidating words and physical prowess with the complete demoralization and inaction of the Israelite forces, highlighting the spiritual and leadership void that David will soon fill.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound fear exhibited by Saul and all Israel in 1 Samuel 17:11 serves as a stark theological commentary on the state of God's people when their trust shifts from divine power to human assessment of strength. Their dismay was not merely a natural reaction to a formidable foe but a spiritual failure, indicating a lack of faith in the God who had repeatedly delivered Israel from superior enemies. This moment highlights the biblical truth that true security and courage come not from physical might or strategic advantage, but from an unwavering reliance on the Lord. It underscores the danger of allowing fear to paralyze faith, demonstrating how a people called by God can become ineffective when they forget His covenant promises and His ability to fight their battles. This spiritual paralysis sets the stage for God to raise up an unexpected deliverer, emphasizing that His strength is made perfect in weakness.

* [Deuteronomy 20:8](/deuteronomy/20-8 "Deuteronomy 20:8 - Those who are fearful and fainthearted are sent home from battle")
* [Psalm 27:1](/psalms/27-1 "Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?")
* [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - Do not fear, for I am with you")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in 1 Samuel 17:11 is a timeless mirror reflecting our own human tendencies when faced with overwhelming challenges. Just as Saul and Israel were paralyzed by the "giant" Goliath, we too can become "dismayed and greatly afraid" when confronted by seemingly insurmountable obstacles in our lives—be they financial crises, health battles, relational conflicts, or spiritual attacks. This verse challenges us to examine the source of our fear: Is it a natural human reaction, or does it stem from a deeper spiritual deficiency, a lack of trust in God's sovereign power and faithfulness? The paralysis of Israel serves as a powerful reminder that fear, left unchecked, can lead to inaction and spiritual stagnation, preventing us from stepping into the victories God intends for us. It calls us to cultivate a faith that looks beyond the size of the "giant" to the omnipotence of our God, remembering that He equips and empowers His people to face any challenge.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "giants" in your life currently cause you to feel dismayed and greatly afraid, leading to paralysis or inaction?**
* **How does your initial reaction to overwhelming challenges reflect your reliance on human strength and resources versus divine power and promises?**
* **In what ways can a crisis of faith or leadership in a community manifest as fear and paralysis, and what steps can be taken to restore courage and trust in God?**

### FAQ
**Why were Saul and all Israel so afraid, despite being a large army?**

Answer: Their fear stemmed from a combination of factors, but primarily a spiritual one. Goliath was indeed a formidable physical specimen and a champion of a militarily superior Philistine army, and his psychological warfare was effective. However, the core issue was a crisis of faith and leadership. Saul, who had been chosen by God to lead Israel and had previously demonstrated courage, was now operating without the empowering presence of the Spirit of the Lord, which had departed from him (see [1 Samuel 16:14](/1_samuel/16-14 "1 Samuel 16:14 - The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul")). A king's fear would naturally permeate his army. Without a leader who trusted God to deliver, and with a collective memory of past Philistine dominance, the Israelite army succumbed to fear, forgetting God's past victories and His covenant promises to fight for His people (see [Deuteronomy 3:22](/deuteronomy/3-22 "Deuteronomy 3:22 - Do not fear them, for the LORD your God is the one fighting for you")).

**Does this verse suggest a failure of God's people?**

Answer: Yes, absolutely. This verse is a poignant portrayal of a profound spiritual and leadership failure within God's chosen people. It highlights their inability to trust in God's power and promises when faced with a seemingly overwhelming human threat. Instead of remembering God's mighty acts of deliverance (e.g., the Exodus, the conquest of Canaan), they succumbed to human fear and despair. This failure of faith and courage, particularly on the part of King Saul, sets the stage for God to demonstrate His sovereignty by raising up an unlikely champion in David. It underscores the biblical principle that God's people are called to walk by faith, not by sight, and that human weakness often serves as a backdrop for the display of divine strength.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound fear and paralysis of Saul and all Israel in the face of Goliath foreshadow the ultimate human predicament: humanity's utter helplessness against the "giants" of sin, death, and the devil. Just as Israel needed a deliverer to face a foe they could not conquer, so too humanity desperately needed a champion to overcome the spiritual enemies that held them captive. Jesus Christ is that ultimate champion. Unlike Saul, who was "dismayed and greatly afraid," Jesus, the true and perfect King, faced the ultimate adversary—Satan and the power of death—without fear. Through His life of perfect obedience, His sacrificial death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection, He disarmed the powers and authorities (see [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ disarmed the powers and authorities")) and destroyed the one who has the power of death (see [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus destroys the one who has the power of death")). Where human strength and courage fail, Christ's victory is absolute. He declares, "In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world" (see [John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Jesus overcomes the world")). Through Him, believers are empowered to face their own "giants" not with dismay and fear, but with the courage and peace that comes from knowing the battle has already been won by their sovereign King.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.