1 Samuel 17:22

And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.

And David {H1732} left {H5203} his carriage {H3627} in the hand {H3027} of the keeper {H8104} of the carriage {H3627}, and ran {H7323} into the army {H4634}, and came {H935} and saluted {H7592}{H7965} his brethren {H251}.

David left his equipment in charge of the equipment guard, ran to the troops, went to his brothers and asked if they were well.

Then David left his supplies in the care of the quartermaster and ran to the battle line. When he arrived, he asked his brothers how they were doing.

And David left his baggage in the hand of the keeper of the baggage, and ran to the army, and came and saluted his brethren.

Commentary

Context

This verse finds David, a young shepherd, arriving at the battlefield where the Israelite army, led by King Saul, is stalemated against the Philistines. David has been sent by his father Jesse to deliver provisions to his elder brothers and their commander, a mission highlighted in 1 Samuel 17:17. Upon his arrival, David quickly attends to his immediate duty—safely depositing his supplies—before eagerly engaging with his family and the broader situation at the front lines. This seemingly minor action sets the stage for the dramatic events that are about to unfold, bringing David face-to-face with the Philistine giant, Goliath.

Linguistic Insights

The word "carriage" in the King James Version (KJV) text of 1 Samuel 17:22 does not refer to a wheeled vehicle as it commonly does today. Instead, it signifies baggage, equipment, or supplies. This archaic usage is important for understanding the scene: David was not arriving in a chariot, but rather dismounting and entrusting the provisions he carried (like bread and cheese for his brothers) to a designated keeper. This detail emphasizes David's humble role and his direct, unencumbered movement into the heart of the Israelite encampment.

Key Themes

  • Diligence and Obedience: David faithfully executes the task given to him by his father, ensuring the provisions are secured before moving on. This highlights his reliability and sense of duty.
  • Eagerness and Engagement: His immediate action of "running into the army" and "saluting his brethren" shows his youthful energy and genuine concern for his family and the state of the Israelite forces. He doesn't linger but dives straight into the environment.
  • Divine Positioning: This verse, though brief, is crucial because it describes the precise moment David enters the scene where he will soon hear Goliath's defiant challenge. His obedience to a simple, familial errand places him exactly where God intends for him to be to fulfill a greater purpose.

Practical Application

1 Samuel 17:22 reminds us that faithfulness in seemingly small or mundane tasks can lead to significant opportunities. David's diligence in delivering supplies and his immediate engagement with the situation at hand prepared him to hear and respond to Goliath's blasphemy. For believers today, this can encourage us to:

  • Be Faithful in the Little Things: God often uses our obedience and reliability in everyday duties to open doors for larger callings.
  • Be Present and Engaged: Actively participating in our communities and being attentive to the needs around us can reveal divine appointments.
  • Trust God's Timing and Placement: Even when we are simply carrying out routine responsibilities, God can be working behind the scenes to position us for His extraordinary plans, much like David's journey from the sheepfold to the battlefield, as prophesied in 1 Samuel 16:12.
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

  • Luke 10:5

    And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace [be] to this house.

  • Luke 10:6

    And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.

  • Genesis 37:14

    And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.

  • Matthew 10:12

    And when ye come into an house, salute it.

  • Matthew 10:13

    And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.

  • Judges 18:15

    And they turned thitherward, and came to the house of the young man the Levite, [even] unto the house of Micah, and saluted him.

  • Isaiah 10:28

    He is come to Aiath, he is passed to Migron; at Michmash he hath laid up his carriages:
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