1 Samuel 17:47

KJV

And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle [is] the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.

KJV (with Strong's)

And all this assembly {H6951} shall know {H3045} that the LORD {H3068} saveth {H3467} not with sword {H2719} and spear {H2595}: for the battle {H4421} is the LORD'S {H3068}, and he will give {H5414} you into our hands {H3027}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and everyone assembled here will know that ADONAI does not save by sword or spear. For this is ADONAI's battle, and he will hand you over to us."

Berean Standard Bible

And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”

American Standard Version

and that all this assembly may know that Jehovah saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is Jehovah’s, and he will give you into our hand.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 17:47 stands as David's profound theological declaration before confronting Goliath, asserting that divine power, not human weaponry or might, determines the outcome of battle. It encapsulates David's unwavering faith in Yahweh's sovereignty and His unique methods of deliverance, serving as a public proclamation to both the Israelite and Philistine armies that the impending victory would be solely attributed to God, thereby revealing His glory to all.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is uttered at the climax of David's initial interaction with Goliath and the Israelite army. Having arrived at the battlefield to bring provisions to his brothers, David witnesses Goliath's daily taunts and the paralyzing fear gripping King Saul and his soldiers (see [1 Samuel 17:1-11](/1_samuel/17 "1 Samuel 17 - David and Goliath")). Outraged by Goliath's defiance of the living God, David volunteers to fight, despite his youth and lack of military experience. His bold declaration in verse 47 directly challenges Goliath's reliance on physical might and armor (as seen in [1 Samuel 17:45](/1_samuel/17-45 "1 Samuel 17:45 - David's Declaration to Goliath")), setting the stage for a dramatic display of God's power through an unlikely champion. The narrative immediately following this verse details David's unconventional victory, fulfilling his prophetic words.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The confrontation between David and Goliath takes place in the Valley of Elah, a strategic border region between Philistine and Israelite territories. The Philistines, a formidable Aegean people who had settled on the coastal plain, were a persistent military threat to Israel, often possessing superior iron weaponry and military organization. The practice of "champion combat," where two armies would send out their strongest warriors to fight on behalf of their respective nations, was a known ancient Near Eastern custom, intended to minimize overall casualties. Goliath, described as a giant of immense stature and heavily armed (see [1 Samuel 17:4-7](/1_samuel/17-4 "1 Samuel 17:4-7 - Description of Goliath")), was the Philistine champion. The Israelite army, led by King Saul, was at a significant disadvantage, both in morale and perhaps equipment. David, a shepherd, represents the antithesis of a conventional warrior, highlighting the cultural expectation that strength and military prowess were prerequisites for battle, an expectation David subverts through his faith.

* **Key Themes:** 1 Samuel 17:47 powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book of Samuel and the broader Old Testament narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Deliverance**, emphasizing that God is the ultimate actor in human affairs and battles, not human strength or weaponry. David's declaration, "the battle is the LORD'S," asserts Yahweh's ownership and active participation in the conflict, contrasting with the Philistines' reliance on their gods and military might. This ties into the theme of **Faith Over Human Might**, where God frequently chooses the weak and unassuming to accomplish His purposes, demonstrating that His power is made perfect in weakness (as seen in [1 Corinthians 1:27-29](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27-29 - God Chooses the Weak")). Furthermore, the verse highlights **God's Glory Revealed to All Nations**, as David explicitly states "all this assembly shall know" God's saving power. The victory would not merely be an Israelite triumph but a public demonstration of Yahweh's supremacy over pagan deities and human limitations, echoing themes found in [Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Crossing of the Red Sea") where God's power was displayed to both Israel and Egypt.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Saveth (Hebrew, _yāšaʿ_):** This verb signifies "to deliver," "to rescue," "to preserve," or "to grant victory." It carries a strong theological connotation, often referring to God's act of bringing salvation or deliverance to His people from enemies or oppression. David's use of this word emphasizes that true deliverance comes from God alone, not from human instruments of war like swords and spears, highlighting a spiritual and divine source of victory.
* **Battle (Hebrew, _milḥāmāh_):** This noun refers to a "war," "fight," or "conflict." In this context, it specifically denotes the physical engagement between armies. The declaration "the battle is the LORD'S" transforms a conventional military conflict into a divine contest, asserting God's proprietorship over the entire engagement, from its initiation to its outcome. It implies that the human participants are merely instruments in a larger divine plan.
* **LORD'S (Hebrew, _la-YHWH_):** The preposition "to" or "belonging to" combined with the divine name YHWH (Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel) is a powerful statement of ownership and authority. It signifies that the battle is not merely *for* the LORD, but *belongs to* Him. He is the one who initiates, directs, and ultimately wins the conflict, asserting His absolute sovereignty and control over all circumstances, including warfare.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And all this assembly shall know":** David's declaration is not a private thought but a public proclamation intended for both the Israelite and Philistine armies. The phrase "all this assembly" underscores the universal scope of God's impending revelation. David desires that God's power and character be made manifest to everyone present, serving as a powerful testimony to His unique identity as the living God, distinct from the idols of the Philistines.
* **"that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear":** This clause directly challenges the conventional wisdom of military might. Swords and spears were the primary weapons of warfare in ancient times, symbolizing human strength, tactical prowess, and technological advantage. David asserts that Yahweh's saving power is not dependent on, limited by, or even associated with these human instruments. This highlights God's transcendence and His ability to work through unconventional, often seemingly weak, means to achieve His purposes, thereby ensuring that the glory belongs solely to Him.
* **"for the battle [is] the LORD'S":** This is the central theological assertion of the verse. It declares God's absolute sovereignty and ownership over the conflict. The battle is not a human endeavor that God merely assists; rather, it is His battle, fought on His terms, for His glory. This phrase transforms the human conflict into a divine one, where God Himself is the primary warrior and strategist, fighting on behalf of His people.
* **"and he will give you into our hands":** This is a prophetic declaration of victory, spoken with absolute confidence in God's power. "You" refers to Goliath and, by extension, the entire Philistine army. "Our hands" refers to the hands of the Israelites, but implicitly, it is God who will perform the act of "giving." This statement is not a boast of human capability but a confident prediction based on the premise that the battle belongs to the LORD, and He will ensure His people's triumph.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. **Contrast** is central, starkly juxtaposing human military might ("sword and spear") with divine power and methods ("the LORD saveth," "the battle is the LORD'S"). This highlights the radical difference between worldly strength and God's unconventional, sovereign deliverance. The phrase "the battle is the LORD'S" functions as a powerful **Theological Statement**, a concise declaration of fundamental truth about God's nature and His active involvement in the world. David's words also carry the weight of **Prophetic Declaration**, as he confidently foretells Goliath's defeat, not as a personal boast, but as a divinely assured outcome. This declaration also serves as a form of **Exhortation**, implicitly calling the assembled armies to recognize and trust in God's power rather than their own fears or conventional strategies.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 17:47 is a foundational text for understanding God's active role as a divine warrior and deliverer throughout biblical history. It underscores the profound truth that victory in life's greatest battles—whether physical, spiritual, or personal—is not achieved through human strength, wisdom, or resources, but through the sovereign power and intervention of God. This principle challenges humanity's innate tendency to rely on its own capabilities and instead calls for radical dependence on the Almighty. David's faith-filled declaration prefigures countless instances where God works through unexpected means and unlikely individuals to accomplish His purposes, ensuring that all glory redounds to Him alone. This verse serves as an enduring reminder that when we face overwhelming odds, our trust must be placed in the One who owns the battle and guarantees the victory.

* [Exodus 14:14](/exodus/14-14 "Exodus 14:14 - The LORD will fight for you")
* [Deuteronomy 20:4](/deuteronomy/20-4 "Deuteronomy 20:4 - God Fights for Israel")
* [Psalm 20:7](/psalm/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the LORD")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's declaration in 1 Samuel 17:47 offers profound encouragement and a vital paradigm for believers navigating the challenges of contemporary life. In a world that often values self-reliance, strategic planning, and material resources, this verse calls us to a counter-cultural trust in God's sovereign power. It reminds us that our most daunting "Goliaths"—whether they be spiritual strongholds, seemingly insurmountable personal obstacles, systemic injustices, or overwhelming anxieties—are not ours to conquer in our own strength. Instead, we are invited to surrender these battles to the Lord, recognizing that He is the true warrior who fights on our behalf. This doesn't negate our responsibility to act in faith, but it reorients our perspective, shifting our focus from our limited capabilities to His infinite power. When we allow God to take ownership of our battles, the outcome serves as a powerful testimony to His faithfulness and might, not only transforming our circumstances but also revealing His glory to a watching world, just as it did for the assembly in the Valley of Elah.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Goliaths" or overwhelming challenges are you currently facing that you have been trying to conquer in your own strength?**
* **How might acknowledging that "the battle is the LORD'S" change your approach to these challenges?**
* **In what ways does God typically "save not with sword and spear" in your life, using unconventional methods to bring about His purposes?**
* **How can your reliance on God in difficult situations serve as a testimony to "all this assembly" (those around you) about His character and power?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean for "the battle to be the LORD'S" in a practical sense for believers today?**

Answer: Practically, "the battle is the LORD'S" means that as believers, we are called to surrender our struggles, conflicts, and challenges to God, trusting in His sovereign power and wisdom rather than relying solely on our own strength, strategies, or resources. It implies that God is actively involved in our lives and fights on our behalf. This doesn't mean passive inaction; rather, it means acting in faith, obedience, and prayer, while recognizing that the ultimate victory and deliverance come from Him. For instance, in spiritual warfare, we are reminded that [our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Spiritual Warfare"), and thus, the victory belongs to God through Christ. It encourages us to seek God's guidance, rely on His strength, and give Him the glory for every triumph, big or small.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 17:47 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. David, the shepherd boy who defeated the giant not by human might but by divine power, serves as a powerful foreshadowing of the true [Son of David](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Genealogy of Jesus Christ"), Jesus, who came to fight the ultimate battle against sin, death, and the devil. Just as David declared that the LORD saves "not with sword and spear," Jesus accomplished humanity's salvation not through military conquest or worldly power, but through His sacrificial death on the cross, a seemingly weak and foolish act in human eyes (as described in [1 Corinthians 1:18](/1_corinthians/1-18 "1 Corinthians 1:18 - The Message of the Cross")). The "battle" against humanity's greatest enemies—sin, death, and Satan—was truly the LORD'S, and Jesus, as the divine warrior, decisively triumphed over them at Calvary, disarming the powers and authorities (see [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). His resurrection confirms that the victory belongs to God, providing eternal deliverance and demonstrating that God's saving power transcends all human limitations and expectations, offering salvation to "all this assembly" who believe in Him (as promised in [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")).

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

Psalms 44:6

For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.

Psalms 44:7

But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.

Zechariah 4:6

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This [is] the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

Hosea 1:7

But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.

Proverbs 21:30

¶ [There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

Proverbs 21:31

The horse [is] prepared against the day of battle: but safety [is] of the LORD.

1 Samuel 14:6

And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for [there is] no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.