1 Samuel 17:12

KJV

¶ Now David [was] the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name [was] Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men [for] an old man in the days of Saul.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now David {H1732} was the son {H1121} of that Ephrathite {H376}{H673} of Bethlehemjudah {H1035}{H3063}, whose name {H8034} was Jesse {H3448}; and he had eight {H8083} sons {H1121}: and the man {H376} went {H935} among men {H582} for an old man {H2204} in the days {H3117} of Saul {H7586}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now David was the son of that Efrati from Beit-Lechem in Y'hudah named Yishai. He had eight sons; and in the time of Sha'ul he was old - the years had taken their toll.

Berean Standard Bible

Now David was the son of a man named Jesse, an Ephrathite from Bethlehem of Judah who had eight sons in the days of Saul. And Jesse was old and well along in years.

American Standard Version

Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Beth-lehem-judah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man was an old man in the days of Saul, stricken in years among men.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 17:12 serves as a pivotal reintroduction to David, anchoring him firmly in his familial and geographical origins just prior to his iconic confrontation with Goliath. This verse meticulously establishes David's identity as the son of Jesse, an Ephrathite from Bethlehem-Judah, highlighting his humble background within a large family. It also subtly sets the stage by noting Jesse's advanced age, implying why David, the youngest, might still be tending sheep while his older brothers served in Saul's army, thus preparing the reader for his unexpected emergence as Israel's deliverer.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the detailed account of Goliath's challenge to Israel and Saul's fear, setting a dire national backdrop. It precedes the narrative of David's arrival at the battlefield and his subsequent victory over the Philistine giant. While [1 Samuel 16](/1_samuel/16 "1 Samuel 16 - David's Anointing and Service to Saul") had already introduced David as the one secretly anointed by Samuel and as a musician in Saul's court, this verse acts as a crucial re-orientation for the reader. It reminds us of David's primary identity as a shepherd from Bethlehem, emphasizing his ordinary status before his extraordinary calling. The repetition of his lineage and hometown serves to ground the upcoming dramatic events in the reality of God's sovereign choice of an unlikely hero.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period described is "in the days of Saul," indicating a time when Israel was transitioning from a tribal confederacy to a monarchy, albeit one still struggling with external threats, particularly from the Philistines. Warfare was common, and armies were often composed of conscripted men, with older sons typically serving. The mention of Jesse being "an old man" explains why his younger son, David, might be left to tend the flock while his older brothers were with the army, a common practice in ancient Israelite society. Bethlehem-Judah, though small, held historical significance as the birthplace of Boaz and Naomi's story in [the book of Ruth](/ruth/1 "Ruth 1 - Naomi and Ruth"), and prophetically, it would later be known as the "city of David," a detail that resonates deeply with the future messianic hope.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully reinforces several key themes prevalent in the book of Samuel and throughout biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **God's choice of the humble and overlooked**. David is not presented as a prince or a mighty warrior, but as the son of a seemingly ordinary man from a small town, aligning with God's pattern of choosing the weak to shame the strong, as seen in [1 Corinthians 1:27](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27 - God Chooses the Foolish"). Secondly, the mention of Jesse's "eight sons" highlights the theme of **divine election and sovereignty**, as David, the youngest, was chosen over his older, more outwardly impressive brothers, a narrative detailed in [1 Samuel 16:6-12](/1_samuel/16-6 "1 Samuel 16:6-12 - God Looks at the Heart"). Finally, the explicit identification of Bethlehem-Judah emphasizes the **significance of place and lineage in salvation history**, prophetically foreshadowing its future role as the birthplace of the Messiah, a truth later articulated in [Micah 5:2](/micah/5-2 "Micah 5:2 - Prophecy of Bethlehem's Messiah").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ephrathite (Hebrew, _'ephrati'_):** This term identifies Jesse as a native or descendant of Ephrathah, an older name for Bethlehem (cf. [Genesis 35:19](/genesis/35-19 "Genesis 35:19 - Rachel's Burial in Ephrath")). Its inclusion firmly roots David's family in this specific Judean town, emphasizing his provincial, rather than royal, origins. This seemingly minor detail carries immense prophetic weight, connecting David's lineage to a place destined for messianic significance.
* **Jesse (Hebrew, _yishay'_):** David's father, whose name means "my gift" or "I possess." Jesse is presented as a man of some standing, with eight sons, yet not of the elite or ruling class. His role as the father of the future king highlights God's sovereign choice extending to entire families and lineages, establishing the foundation for the Davidic dynasty and covenant.
* **Eight sons (Hebrew, _sh'monah banim'_):** The specific number "eight" is significant. In ancient Israelite society, the firstborn typically held preeminence. David, as the youngest of eight, would have been the least expected to be chosen for greatness. This detail underscores the divine paradox of God's ways, where the last becomes first, and the humble are exalted.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now David [was] the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name [was] Jesse;":** This clause re-establishes David's identity, linking him directly to his father, Jesse, and his hometown, Bethlehem in the territory of Judah. The term "Ephrathite" serves to emphasize the deep, historical connection to Bethlehem, signaling David's humble but divinely appointed origins. This re-introduction grounds the extraordinary events to follow in a tangible, relatable context.
* **"and he had eight sons:":** This detail highlights the size of Jesse's family and, by implication, David's position as the youngest. It sets up the contrast with David's older, more conventionally impressive brothers, who are mentioned later in the chapter as being with Saul's army. This numerical detail subtly reinforces the theme of God's unconventional choice, as the least likely son is the one chosen for a divine purpose.
* **"and the man went among men [for] an old man in the days of Saul.":** This final clause refers to Jesse, indicating his advanced age. This explains why Jesse himself was not serving in Saul's army, and why David, the youngest, was left to tend the sheep. It provides a practical reason for David's presence away from the battlefield, setting the stage for his unexpected arrival and intervention in the Goliath narrative. It also firmly places the events within the reign of King Saul, emphasizing the historical transition taking place.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to achieve its effect. **Repetition** and **Recall** are evident as it reiterates details about David's lineage and hometown previously mentioned in [1 Samuel 16](/1_samuel/16 "1 Samuel 16 - David's Anointing"). This serves to re-orient the reader and underscore the significance of David's humble origins. **Foreshadowing** is subtly present through the mention of Bethlehem-Judah, a geographical detail that would later become profoundly significant for the birthplace of the Messiah, connecting David's story to the broader arc of salvation history. There is also an element of **Irony**, as the seemingly insignificant "son of that Ephrathite" is about to become the nation's hero and future king, contrasting sharply with the mighty but fearful King Saul. Finally, the detail about Jesse being "an old man" provides **Exposition** by explaining the practical circumstances that led to David's presence at home rather than on the battlefield with his older brothers.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 17:12 is far more than a genealogical footnote; it is a profound theological statement on God's methods and priorities. It reinforces the biblical principle that God often chooses those who are overlooked, humble, or seemingly unqualified by human standards to accomplish His greatest purposes. David's identity as the youngest of eight sons from a small town underscores that divine favor is not based on human merit, social standing, or outward appearance, but on God's sovereign election and His assessment of the heart. This verse sets the stage for a dramatic display of God's power working through human weakness, a recurring motif throughout scripture.

* [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart") - "For the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart."
* [Psalm 78:70-72](/psalm/78-70 "Psalm 78:70-72 - God Chose David") - "He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands."
* [1 Corinthians 1:27-29](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27-29 - God Chooses the Weak") - "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty... That no flesh should glory in his presence."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This seemingly simple verse offers a powerful and enduring message for believers today. It reminds us that God's perspective on potential and purpose often differs radically from our own. We might feel insignificant, overlooked, or unqualified due to our background, family circumstances, or perceived lack of status, much like David, the youngest son from a small town. Yet, God's choosing of David from Bethlehem, a place of no great renown, and from a large family where he was the least expected, reveals His consistent pattern of elevating the humble and using the ordinary for extraordinary ends. This should instill profound encouragement: our perceived limitations are not barriers to God's plan for us. Instead, they can become the very platforms upon which His power and wisdom are most clearly displayed. It challenges us to embrace humility, trust in God's sovereign hand, and remain faithful in the "small things," knowing that faithfulness in obscurity often precedes God's call to greater spheres of influence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be underestimating my own potential or significance in God's eyes, based on my background or perceived limitations?**
* **How does David's humble origin challenge my assumptions about who God uses for His purposes?**
* **What "small things" or seemingly insignificant roles am I called to be faithful in today, knowing that God often works through such beginnings?**
* **How can I better trust God's sovereign choice and timing in my life, even when my path seems unconventional or unclear?**

### FAQ

**Why is David's family and hometown reiterated here, especially since he was already introduced in 1 Samuel 16?**

Answer: The reiteration of David's family and hometown in [1 Samuel 17:12](/1_samuel/17-12 "1 Samuel 17:12 - David's Reintroduction") serves several crucial purposes. Firstly, it re-establishes David's identity for the reader, grounding him in his humble origins just before his monumental public debut against Goliath. While [1 Samuel 16](/1_samuel/16 "1 Samuel 16 - David's Anointing") introduced him as Samuel's anointed and Saul's musician, this verse reminds us that his primary role was still that of a simple shepherd from Bethlehem. Secondly, it emphasizes the divine paradox: God chooses an unlikely, overlooked individual from a small, provincial town, rather than someone from the elite or military class, to deliver Israel. This highlights God's sovereign hand and His pattern of working through the humble. Finally, the mention of Bethlehem-Judah carries prophetic weight, subtly connecting David's lineage to the future birthplace of the Messiah, a detail that would become profoundly significant centuries later (cf. [Micah 5:2](/micah/5-2 "Micah 5:2 - Prophecy of Bethlehem")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 17:12, though seemingly a simple genealogical note, resonates deeply with the person and work of Jesus Christ, revealing a profound Christ-centered fulfillment. David, the son of Jesse from Bethlehem, foreshadows Jesus, who is repeatedly identified as the "Son of David" (e.g., [Matthew 1:1](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Genealogy of Jesus Christ"), [Matthew 9:27](/matthew/9-27 "Matthew 9:27 - Two Blind Men Call on Jesus")) and who was also born in Bethlehem-Judah, as prophesied in [Micah 5:2](/micah/5-2 "Micah 5:2 - Prophecy of Bethlehem's Messiah") and fulfilled in [Matthew 2:1](/matthew/2-1 "Matthew 2:1 - The Birth of Jesus"). Just as David emerged from obscurity to deliver Israel, Jesus, the greater Son of David, came from humble beginnings in Nazareth (cf. [John 1:46](/john/1-46 "John 1:46 - Can Anything Good Come Out of Nazareth?")) to accomplish the ultimate deliverance for humanity. The mention of Jesse's "eight sons" and David being the youngest reflects God's pattern of choosing the overlooked and humble, a pattern supremely exemplified in Christ's incarnation and ministry, where the King of Glory emptied Himself to take on the form of a servant (cf. [Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humility")). Thus, this verse not only grounds David in his historical context but also subtly points forward to the ultimate King and Deliverer, Jesus Christ, whose lineage and birthplace are inextricably linked to David's.

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.

Cross-References

Genesis 35:19

And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which [is] Bethlehem.

1 Samuel 16:10

Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.

1 Samuel 16:11

And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all [thy] children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.

1 Samuel 16:18

Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, [that is] cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD [is] with him.

1 Chronicles 2:13

And Jesse begat his firstborn Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimma the third,

1 Chronicles 2:16

Whose sisters [were] Zeruiah, and Abigail. And the sons of Zeruiah; Abishai, and Joab, and Asahel, three.

1 Samuel 17:58

And Saul said to him, Whose son [art] thou, [thou] young man? And David answered, I [am] the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.