Saul and the men of Israel assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah, arraying themselves for battle against the Philistines. Saul and the men of IsraelThis phrase introduces us to the central figures of Israel's military force, led by King Saul. Saul, the first king of Israel, was chosen by God to lead His people. The "men of Israel" refers to the collective tribes of Israel, united under Saul's leadership. Historically, this period marks a time when Israel was transitioning from a loose confederation of tribes to a more centralized monarchy. The Hebrew root for "Israel" (יִשְׂרָאֵל, Yisra'el) means "God prevails," signifying the divine favor and covenant relationship between God and His chosen people. assembled and camped
The act of assembling and camping indicates a strategic military preparation. In ancient warfare, assembling troops was a critical step in organizing for battle. The Hebrew word for "assembled" (אָסַף, asaph) implies gathering together for a purpose, highlighting the unity and readiness of Israel's forces. "Camped" (חָנָה, chanah) suggests a temporary settlement, a common practice in military campaigns, where soldiers would establish a base of operations. in the Valley of Elah
The Valley of Elah is a significant geographical location in biblical history. Situated in the Shephelah region of Judah, it served as a natural battleground due to its open terrain. The name "Elah" (אֵלָה) means "terebinth," a type of tree common in the area, symbolizing strength and endurance. Archaeological evidence supports the Valley of Elah as a historical site, providing a tangible connection to the biblical narrative. This valley becomes the stage for the famous encounter between David and Goliath, underscoring the theme of divine intervention in seemingly impossible situations. drew up a battle line
This phrase describes the tactical arrangement of troops in preparation for combat. The Hebrew term for "drew up" (עָרַךְ, arakh) conveys the idea of setting in order or arranging, emphasizing the organized and deliberate approach to warfare. The "battle line" (מַעֲרָכָה, ma'arakhah) represents the front line of soldiers, ready to engage the enemy. This preparation reflects the seriousness of the impending conflict and the need for discipline and courage among the troops. to meet the Philistines
The Philistines were a formidable adversary of Israel, often depicted as a symbol of opposition to God's people. Historically, the Philistines were a seafaring people who settled along the coastal regions of Canaan. Their advanced military technology, including iron weaponry, posed a significant threat to Israel. The phrase "to meet the Philistines" indicates the inevitability of confrontation, as Israel was called to defend their land and uphold God's promises. This encounter sets the stage for God's deliverance through David, foreshadowing the ultimate victory of good over evil. Persons / Places / Events 1. SaulThe first king of Israel, chosen by God but later rejected due to disobedience. He leads the Israelites in battle against the Philistines. 2. Men of IsraelThe army of Israel, representing the people of God, who are preparing to face their enemies, the Philistines. 3. Valley of ElahA significant geographical location where the battle between the Israelites and the Philistines takes place. It is a strategic site for military encounters. 4. PhilistinesA perennial enemy of Israel, representing opposition to God's people. They are known for their military prowess and hostility towards Israel. 5. Battle FormationThe strategic arrangement of troops in preparation for combat, indicating readiness and organization for the impending conflict. Teaching Points Preparation and ReadinessJust as the Israelites prepared for battle, Christians are called to be spiritually prepared to face challenges and opposition in life. Leadership and ResponsibilitySaul's role as a leader highlights the importance of godly leadership and the responsibility to guide others in faith and action. Facing OppositionThe Philistines represent the challenges and adversaries believers encounter. Trust in God is essential when facing such opposition. Strategic PositioningThe choice of the Valley of Elah as a battleground underscores the importance of strategic thinking and positioning in spiritual warfare. Community and UnityThe assembly of the men of Israel emphasizes the strength found in community and unity among believers when confronting common challenges. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the preparation of the Israelites for battle in 1 Samuel 17:2 inspire you to prepare for spiritual battles in your own life? 2. In what ways can Saul's leadership be seen as both a positive and negative example for Christian leaders today? 3. How can the concept of "battle formation" be applied to organizing and strengthening your spiritual life and community? 4. What are some modern-day "Philistines" or challenges that you face, and how can you rely on God to overcome them? 5. How does the unity of the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah encourage you to seek and foster community within your church or faith group? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 16Provides context for Saul's kingship and the anointing of David, setting the stage for the events in chapter 17. Ephesians 6:10-18Discusses the spiritual armor of God, drawing a parallel to the physical battle preparations of the Israelites. Psalm 23Reflects on God's guidance and protection, relevant to the Israelites' reliance on God in battle. Joshua 1:9Encourages strength and courage, applicable to the Israelites as they face the Philistines. People Abinadab, Abner, David, Elah, Eliab, Ephah, Goliath, Israelites, Jesse, Saul, ShammahPlaces Azekah, Bethlehem, Ekron, Ephes-dammim, Gath, Jerusalem, Shaaraim, Socoh, Valley of ElahTopics Array, Assembled, Battle, Camped, Drew, Elah, Encamp, Encamped, Encounter, Forces, Gathered, Israelites, Line, Meet, Order, Philistines, Pitched, Position, Saul, Terebinths, Vale, ValleyDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 17:2 5213 assembly
5814 confrontation 1 Samuel 17:1-2 4207 land, divine gift
8728 enemies, of Israel and Judah 1 Samuel 17:1-3 4290 valleys Library The victory of Unarmed Faith
'And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. 33. And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. 34. And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock; 35. And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureApril the Thirtieth the Test of victory
"David behaveth himself wisely." --1 SAMUEL xvii. 55--xviii. 5. The hour of victory is a more severe moral test than the hour of defeat. Many a man can brave the perils of adversity who succumbs to the seductions of prosperity. He can stand the cold better than the heat! He is enriched by failure, but "spoilt by success." To test the real quality of a man, let us regard him just when he has slain Goliath! "David behaved himself wisely"! He was not "eaten up with pride." He developed no "side." …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year April the Twenty-Ninth the Mood of Triumph
"I come to thee in the name of the Lord of Hosts." --1 SAMUEL xvii. 38-54. The man who comes up to his foes with this assurance will fight and win. Reasonable confidence is one of the most important weapons in the warrior's armoury. Fear is always wasteful. The man who calmly expects to win has already begun to conquer. Our mood has so much to do with our might. And therefore does the Word of God counsel us to attend to our dispositions, lest, having carefully collected our material implements, …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year The Call of David.
"So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone."--1 Samuel xvii. 50. These words, which are taken from the chapter which you heard read just now in the course of the Service[1], declare the victory which David, the man after God's own heart, gained over Goliath, who came out of the army of the Philistines to defy the Living God; and they declare the manner of his gaining it. He gained it with a sling and with a stone; that is, by means, which to man might seem weak and …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII How David Prevailed.
"So David prevailed over the Philistine!"--1 SAMUEL xvii. 50. Yes, he did, but he would not have done so if he had remained as quiet as the other Israelites. David was one of those who could not be easy so long as the enemies of his country were in the ascendant. To see a Philistine strutting about, defying the armies of the living God, was more than he could bear. Is not this the spirit which should animate Christians to-day? It is not one GOLIATH merely, there are many. DRUNKENNESS, PROFANITY, …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread Knox -- the First Temptation of Christ
John Knox, the great Scottish reformer, was born at Giffordgate, four miles from Haddington, Scotland, in 1505. He first made his appearance as a preacher in Edinburgh, where he thundered against popery, but was imprisoned and sent to the galleys in 1546. In 1547 Edward VI secured his release and made him a royal chaplain, when he acquired the friendship of Cranmer and other reformers. On the accession of Mary (1553) he took refuge on the Continent. In 1556 he accepted the charge of a church in Geneva, …
Various—The World's Great Sermons, Volume I Hwochow Women's Bible Training School
COURSE OF STUDY FIRST TERM Book of Genesis. Gospel according to St. Luke or St. Mark. Acts of the Apostles, chapters i. to ix. "A Synopsis of the Central Themes of the Holy Bible." Reading Lessons, with necessary Explanation and Writing of Chinese Character. Arithmetic. Singing and Memorisation of Hymns. SECOND TERM Book of Exodus, Numbers, and 1 Samuel i. to xvi. The Gospel according to St. John. The Epistle of St James. "A Synopsis of the Central Themes of the Holy Bible"--(continued). Reading …
A. Mildred Cable—The Fulfilment of a Dream of Pastor Hsi's He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh The Shepherd-King
'And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt them mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel! fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite: for I have provided Me a king among his sons. 2. And Samuel said, How can I go? If Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the Lord said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the Lord. 3. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Temporal Advantages.
"We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."--1 Tim. vi. 7, 8. Every age has its own special sins and temptations. Impatience with their lot, murmuring, grudging, unthankfulness, discontent, are sins common to men at all times, but I suppose one of those sins which belongs to our age more than to another, is desire of a greater portion of worldly goods than God has given us,--ambition and covetousness …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII The Quotation in Matt. Ii. 6.
Several interpreters, Paulus especially, have asserted that the interpretation of Micah which is here given, was that of the Sanhedrim only, and not of the Evangelist, who merely recorded what happened and was said. But this assertion is at once refuted when we consider the object which Matthew has in view in his entire representation of the early life of Jesus. His object in recording the early life of Jesus is not like that of Luke, viz., to communicate historical information to his readers. …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
Ver. 8. "Judah, thou, thy brethren shall praise thee; thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; before thee shall bow down the sons of thy father. Ver. 9. A lion's whelp is Judah; from the prey, my son, thou goest up; he stoopeth down, he coucheth as a lion, and as a full-grown lion, who shall rouse him up? Ver. 10. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come, and unto Him the people shall adhere." Thus does dying Jacob, in announcing …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
A BRIEF AND FAITHFUL RELATION OF THE EXCEEDING MERCY OF GOD IN CHRIST TO HIS POOR SERVANT, JOHN BUNYAN; WHEREIN IS PARTICULARLY SHOWED THE MANNER OF HIS CONVERSION, HIS SIGHT AND TROUBLE FOR SIN, HIS DREADFUL TEMPTATIONS, ALSO HOW HE DESPAIRED OF GOD'S MERCY, AND HOW THE LORD AT LENGTH THROUGH CHRIST DID DELIVER HIM FROM ALL THE GUILT AND TERROR THAT LAY UPON HIM. Whereunto is added a brief relation of his call to the work of the ministry, of his temptations therein, as also what he hath met with …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Man's Chief End
Q-I: WHAT IS THE CHIEF END OF MAN? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever. Here are two ends of life specified. 1: The glorifying of God. 2: The enjoying of God. I. The glorifying of God, I Pet 4:4: That God in all things may be glorified.' The glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions. I Cor 10:01. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Everything works to some end in things natural and artificial; …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Samuel 17:2 NIV1 Samuel 17:2 NLT1 Samuel 17:2 ESV1 Samuel 17:2 NASB1 Samuel 17:2 KJV
1 Samuel 17:2 Commentaries
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