1 Samuel 17:24

KJV

And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.

KJV (with Strong's)

And all the men {H376} of Israel {H3478}, when they saw {H7200} the man {H376}, fled {H5127} from him {H6440}, and were sore {H3966} afraid {H3372}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When the soldiers from Isra'el saw the man, they all ran away from him, terrified.

Berean Standard Bible

When all the men of Israel saw Goliath, they fled from him in great fear.

American Standard Version

And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 17:24 vividly captures the paralyzing terror that gripped the entire Israelite army in the Valley of Elah. Faced with the formidable Philistine champion, Goliath, the soldiers of King Saul’s army repeatedly fled in abject fear, highlighting their utter human inadequacy and spiritual vulnerability in the face of such a daunting challenge. This moment of widespread fear and helplessness sets the crucial stage for the dramatic entrance of David, whose unwavering faith and courage will soon demonstrate God's power to deliver through the most unexpected means.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial turning point within the broader narrative of 1 Samuel 17, immediately following Goliath's repeated challenge and preceding David's arrival at the battlefield. For forty days, Goliath has presented himself twice daily, taunting Israel and demanding a champion. Verses [1 Samuel 17:8-10](/1_samuel/17-8 "1 Samuel 17:8-10 - Goliath's Challenge") detail Goliath's specific challenge for single combat, a common ancient practice to avoid large-scale bloodshed. The preceding verses establish Goliath's intimidating stature and weaponry, while the subsequent narrative introduces David, sent by his father Jesse to bring provisions to his brothers, and his indignant response to Goliath's blasphemy. Thus, [1 Samuel 17:24](/1_samuel/17-24 "1 Samuel 17:24 - Israel's Fear") serves as a stark portrayal of Israel's collective failure and fear, setting the stage for David's faith-filled intervention and highlighting the dramatic contrast between human weakness and divine strength.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Valley of Elah, where this confrontation took place, was a strategic border region between Philistine and Israelite territories, making it a frequent site of conflict. The Philistines, a powerful seafaring people who had settled on the southwestern coast of Canaan, were technologically superior, possessing iron weaponry, which the Israelites largely lacked. The practice of single combat, as proposed by Goliath, was a recognized method of resolving disputes between armies in the ancient Near East, designed to minimize casualties. However, the Philistine champion's immense size (over nine feet tall by some estimates) and formidable armor, described in [1 Samuel 17:4-7](/1_samuel/17-4 "1 Samuel 17:4-7 - Description of Goliath"), made him an unparalleled threat. The Israelite army, under King Saul, was expected to represent God's people, yet their fear and inability to respond reflected a deeper spiritual crisis, a lack of trust in their covenant God, which was particularly egregious given Saul's own imposing stature and initial anointing as a deliverer.
* **Key Themes:** The pervasive fear depicted in [1 Samuel 17:24](/1_samuel/17-24 "1 Samuel 17:24 - Israel's Fear") underscores several key themes within 1 Samuel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **failure of human leadership and military might** when confronted with a spiritual challenge. King Saul, chosen for his physical prowess and initially empowered by the Spirit, is conspicuously absent from the front lines and unable to inspire his troops, demonstrating the limitations of a kingdom built on human strength rather than divine reliance (compare with [1 Samuel 8](/1_samuel/8 "1 Samuel 8 - Israel Demands a King")). Secondly, the verse emphasizes the **paralyzing nature of fear** and its capacity to render even a large, divinely-chosen army utterly ineffective. This stands in stark contrast to the theme of **faith and courage in the face of overwhelming odds**, which David will soon embody, demonstrating that true victory comes not through human strength or numbers, but through unwavering trust in the Lord of Hosts, as articulated later in [1 Samuel 17:47](/1_samuel/17-47 "1 Samuel 17:47 - The Battle is the Lord's").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fled (Hebrew, _nûs'_):** The Hebrew verb נוּס (_nûs_) means "to flee," "to escape," or "to take flight." In this context, it denotes a panicked, disorderly retreat driven by terror. It's not a strategic withdrawal but an instinctive reaction to overwhelming fear. The repetition of this action ("fled from him") emphasizes the consistent and complete demoralization of the Israelite army, highlighting their utter lack of courage and resolve. This word choice vividly paints a picture of disarray and a complete breakdown of military discipline.
* **Sore afraid (Hebrew, _yārē'_):** The Hebrew verb יָרֵא (_yārē_) primarily means "to fear," "to be afraid," or "to dread." While it can also carry the positive connotation of "to revere" or "to stand in awe of" (as in the fear of God), here it unequivocally signifies intense terror, dread, and panic. The KJV's "sore afraid" aptly captures the severity of this fear – it was not a mild apprehension but a deep, visceral, and debilitating terror that permeated every soldier. This fear was so profound that it led directly to their flight, indicating a complete loss of morale and trust in their own capabilities or in God's deliverance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And all the men of Israel":** This phrase emphasizes the universality of the fear. It was not just a few individuals or a specific unit, but the entire fighting force of Israel, representing the chosen people of God, who succumbed to terror. This collective fear underscores the magnitude of the challenge posed by Goliath and the spiritual weakness pervading the nation under Saul's leadership.
* **"when they saw the man":** This highlights the immediate and direct cause of their fear – the visual presence of Goliath. His imposing size, formidable armor, and blasphemous taunts were enough to trigger an instantaneous and overwhelming reaction. It suggests that their fear was not merely intellectual but deeply visceral, a primal response to a perceived existential threat.
* **"fled from him":** This clause describes the physical manifestation of their fear. Their response was not to stand their ground, strategize, or trust in God, but to turn and run. This act of fleeing signifies their complete surrender to intimidation and their inability to fulfill their role as God's army. It also sets up a dramatic contrast with David's later approach.
* **"and were sore afraid":** This final clause reiterates and intensifies the emotional state that drove their flight. It confirms that their flight was a direct consequence of profound terror, emphasizing the psychological and spiritual grip Goliath had on the Israelite forces. This phrase serves as a powerful summary of their demoralized condition, underscoring the spiritual vacuum that had developed within Israel.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey the depth of Israel's fear. **Repetition** is evident in the implied recurrence of their flight ("fled from him, and were sore afraid," suggesting this happened whenever Goliath appeared), emphasizing the chronic nature of their terror and the prolonged stalemate. **Hyperbole** is present in "all the men of Israel," suggesting a complete and universal paralysis, even if a few individuals might have felt otherwise, it conveys the overwhelming collective sentiment. This widespread fear also serves as **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for the dramatic contrast with David's singular courage and faith, which will highlight the inadequacy of human strength and the necessity of divine intervention. Finally, the verse creates a stark **Contrast** between the ideal of God's chosen army, meant to be courageous and victorious, and their actual state of abject terror and retreat, underscoring the spiritual decline under Saul's leadership.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 17:24 profoundly illustrates the destructive power of fear when faith is absent, serving as a powerful theological statement about human inadequacy versus divine omnipotence. The collective terror of the Israelite army, despite being God's covenant people, reveals a critical spiritual deficit – their reliance on human strength and conventional warfare rather than the Lord of Hosts. This fear paralyzes them, preventing them from fulfilling their divine mandate and exposing the limitations of a kingdom founded on human might rather than unwavering trust in God. The scene sets the stage for a crucial theological lesson: God often chooses to work through the weak and overlooked, demonstrating His power most clearly when human efforts fail completely, thereby ensuring that the glory belongs to Him alone. This moment of Israel's utter helplessness is the perfect backdrop for God to display His faithfulness through an unexpected champion.

* [Deuteronomy 20:8](/deuteronomy/20-8 "Deuteronomy 20:8 - Those who are fearful and fainthearted")
* [Psalm 27:1](/psalm/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 - Fear not, for I am with you")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene of the Israelite army fleeing in terror from Goliath offers a profound mirror for our own lives. Just as Goliath represented an overwhelming, seemingly insurmountable challenge to Israel, we too face "giants" in our contemporary world—whether they are personal struggles, societal pressures, spiritual adversaries, or global crises. This verse challenges us to honestly assess the nature of our fears: are we allowing the perceived size and strength of our problems to dictate our actions, leading us to retreat in paralysis rather than stepping forward in faith? The Israelites' fear was not merely a lack of courage, but a symptom of a deeper spiritual issue—a failure to trust in God's power and promises. Our response to life's intimidating challenges reveals the true object of our confidence. When we rely on our own strength, resources, or wisdom, we are prone to the same terror that gripped Israel. However, when we anchor our hope in the sovereign power of God, knowing that He is greater than any "giant," we are empowered to face challenges with courage, believing that the battle truly belongs to the Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "giants" in your life or in the world cause you to feel "sore afraid" and tempted to flee?**
* **How might your fear be a symptom of placing your trust in human strength or circumstances rather than in God's unfailing power?**
* **What specific promises of God can you cling to when facing overwhelming odds, transforming fear into faith?**

### FAQ
**Why were all the men of Israel so afraid of one man, Goliath?**

Answer: The fear of the Israelite army was multifaceted and deeply rooted. Firstly, Goliath was not just "one man" but a giant of extraordinary size and strength, described in [1 Samuel 17:4-7](/1_samuel/17-4 "1 Samuel 17:4-7 - Description of Goliath") as over nine feet tall, clad in heavy bronze armor, and wielding a spear like a weaver's beam. His appearance alone was terrifying. Secondly, he was a champion of the Philistines, a formidable enemy known for their military prowess and iron weaponry, which the Israelites largely lacked. Thirdly, Goliath's repeated taunts and blasphemies against the armies of Israel and their God, as seen in [1 Samuel 17:8-10](/1_samuel/17-8 "1 Samuel 17:8-10 - Goliath's Challenge"), were designed to demoralize and intimidate. Culturally, the challenge of single combat meant that one man's defeat could decide the fate of the entire nation, placing immense pressure on any potential champion. Most significantly, the Israelites, including King Saul, had lost their spiritual courage and trust in God. Their fear was not just a physical reaction but a spiritual failure, indicating a lack of faith in the Lord of Hosts to deliver them, as He had done so many times before (e.g., [Exodus 14:13-14](/exodus/14-13 "Exodus 14:13-14 - Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The paralyzing fear of the Israelite army in [1 Samuel 17:24](/1_samuel/17-24 "1 Samuel 17:24 - Israel's Fear") powerfully foreshadows humanity's universal predicament before the ultimate "giant" of sin and death. Just as no Israelite champion could stand against Goliath, no human effort, law, or good deed could overcome the power of sin that held humanity captive. This spiritual helplessness is echoed in the New Testament's depiction of humanity's inability to save itself (e.g., [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God")). Into this scene of utter human inadequacy steps not a king or a seasoned warrior, but the unassuming shepherd boy, David, who, through faith, defeats the giant. This serves as a profound type of Christ, the true and ultimate champion. Jesus, though appearing humble and unthreatening, perfectly embodies the faith and obedience that Israel lacked. He alone confronted and conquered the spiritual forces of darkness, sin, and death, not with physical might, but through His sacrificial death and resurrection (cf. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumphing over them by the cross") and [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus destroys the one who has the power of death")). The victory over Goliath, achieved by an unlikely hero trusting in God, points directly to the cross of Christ, where the Lamb of God, seemingly weak, utterly defeated the powers that held humanity in fear and bondage, offering true freedom and eternal life to all who believe (cf. [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") and [1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory over death")).

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

Numbers 13:33

And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, [which come] of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

1 Samuel 17:11

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

Deuteronomy 32:30

How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?

Leviticus 26:36

And upon them that are left [alive] of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth.

Isaiah 7:2

And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.

Isaiah 30:17

One thousand [shall flee] at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill.

1 Samuel 13:6

When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.