1 Samuel 17:15

But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.

But David {H1732} went {H1980} and returned {H7725} from Saul {H7586} to feed {H7462} his father's {H1} sheep {H6629} at Bethlehem {H1035}.

David went back and forth from Sha'ul to pasture his father's sheep at Beit-Lechem.

but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep in Bethlehem.

Now David went to and fro from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Beth-lehem.

Commentary

1 Samuel 17:15 reveals a crucial detail about David's life just before his famous encounter with Goliath. It highlights his dual role and humble circumstances, underscoring God's way of preparing individuals for significant callings.

Context

This verse provides an important temporal clarification within the narrative. While David had previously been introduced to King Saul and served as his armor-bearer and musician (1 Samuel 16:21, 1 Samuel 16:23), this verse shows that his service was not yet permanent. David would periodically return to his family home in Bethlehem, the city of his father, Jesse, to resume his duties as a shepherd. This back-and-forth movement explains why David was at home when his brothers were with Saul's army, setting the stage for his arrival at the battlefield in 1 Samuel 17:17.

Key Themes

  • Faithfulness in Humble Duties: David, though anointed by Samuel as the future king (1 Samuel 16:13), remained diligently committed to his ordinary, unglamorous task of tending sheep. This faithfulness in small matters is often a prerequisite for greater responsibilities (Luke 16:10).
  • God's Preparation in Obscurity: The sheepfolds of Bethlehem were David's training ground. Here, he developed courage against lions and bears (1 Samuel 17:34-36), honed his slingshot skills, and deepened his reliance on God. This period of quiet preparation was essential for the challenges he would face as a warrior and king.
  • Bethlehem's Significance: The mention of Bethlehem is noteworthy. It is not only David's hometown, the "city of David," but centuries later, it would be recognized as the prophetic birthplace of the Messiah, Jesus Christ (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:1).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "went and returned" simply conveys David's routine commuting between his service to Saul and his family duties. There isn't a complex Hebrew term here; the emphasis is on the practical reality of his life. The Hebrew verb for "feed" (רָעָה, ra'ah) means to shepherd, tend, or pasture, reinforcing his role as a humble and responsible caretaker of his father's flock.

Practical Application

David's story in 1 Samuel 17:15 reminds us that God often prepares us in unexpected and seemingly insignificant places. Our faithfulness in daily, ordinary tasks builds character and skills that will be vital for future callings. It teaches us to embrace the present, trusting that God is at work even when our path seems obscure or mundane. Just as David was being prepared for kingship while tending sheep, we are being shaped for our divine purposes in our current circumstances.

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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 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 16:19

    Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which [is] with the sheep.

  • 1 Samuel 16:23

    And it came to pass, when the [evil] spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
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