1 Samuel 17:13

And the three eldest sons of Jesse went [and] followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle [were] Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.

And the three {H7969} eldest {H1419} sons {H1121} of Jesse {H3448} went {H3212} and followed {H310} Saul {H7586} to the battle {H4421}: and the names {H8034} of his three {H7969} sons {H1121} that went {H1980} to the battle {H4421} were Eliab {H446} the firstborn {H1060}, and next {H4932} unto him Abinadab {H41}, and the third {H7992} Shammah {H8048}.

Yishai's three oldest sons had followed Sha'ul to battle; the names of his three sons who went to battle were Eli'av the firstborn, next to him Avinadav, and the third Shammah.

The three older sons of Jesse had followed Saul into battle: The firstborn was Eliab, the second was Abinadab, and the third was Shammah.

And the three eldest sons of Jesse had gone after Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the first-born, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.

Commentary

1 Samuel 17:13 introduces the three eldest sons of Jesse—Eliab, Abinadab, and Shammah—who had joined King Saul’s army in the intensifying conflict with the Philistines. This verse is crucial as it sets the immediate family context for the dramatic events of the Valley of Elah, where David would soon face Goliath.

Context of 1 Samuel 17:13

This verse provides an important snapshot of Jesse’s household and the military situation in ancient Israel. The nation of Israel, led by King Saul, was entrenched in a significant standoff with the Philistine army, as detailed in the opening verses of 1 Samuel 17. It was customary for able-bodied men to serve in the army, especially during times of national crisis. Eliab, as the firstborn, along with his two younger brothers, Abinadab and Shammah, were fulfilling this duty, signifying their active participation in the defense of Israel. This detail also subtly highlights David’s absence from the battlefield at this point, as he was still tending his father’s sheep, setting the stage for his unexpected arrival.

Key Themes in 1 Samuel 17:13

  • Family Duty and Military Service: The verse underscores the societal expectation for men, particularly the eldest, to contribute to the nation’s defense. Jesse’s sons were fulfilling their obligation to serve in King Saul's forces.
  • Introduction of Key Characters: Eliab, Abinadab, and Shammah are named, establishing them as direct participants in the war. Eliab, in particular, will later play a role in criticizing David upon his arrival at the camp (1 Samuel 17:28), recalling how he was initially considered by Samuel as a potential king, only for God to emphasize looking at the heart rather than outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7).
  • Setting the Stage for David: By explicitly stating that the three eldest sons were at battle, the narrative implicitly highlights David's current role as a shepherd, preparing the reader for his eventual, providential appearance on the scene, which will dramatically alter the course of the battle.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV text uses the phrase "went [and] followed Saul to the battle." The original Hebrew simply conveys that they "went after Saul to the battle," indicating their enlistment and deployment under the king's command. The names themselves, Eliab (meaning "My God is Father"), Abinadab (meaning "My Father is Noble" or "My Father is Willing"), and Shammah (meaning "Astonishment" or "Desolation"), are typical Hebrew names of the period but do not carry specific prophetic weight in this context beyond identifying the individuals.

Significance and Application

1 Samuel 17:13 is more than just a list of names; it’s a vital piece of the narrative puzzle. It paints a picture of the Israelite army and the immediate family dynamics of David. For readers, it highlights the stark contrast between those expected to fight (Jesse's older, physically imposing sons) and the one God would ultimately use for victory (the young shepherd David). This verse reminds us that God's plans often unfold in unexpected ways, using those who might seem insignificant by worldly standards to achieve His great purposes, a theme powerfully illustrated by God choosing the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. It sets the stage for God's divine intervention through David, not through the strength or stature of Jesse's other sons.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Chronicles 2:13

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

  • 2 Samuel 21:21

    And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew him.

  • 2 Samuel 13:3

    But Amnon had a friend, whose name [was] Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab [was] a very subtil man.

  • 1 Samuel 17:28

    And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.

  • 2 Samuel 13:32

    And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose [that] they have slain all the young men the king's sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.

  • 1 Samuel 16:6

    ¶ And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed [is] before him.

  • 1 Samuel 16:9

    Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
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