The Philistines stood on one hill and the Israelites stood on another, with the valley between them. The PhilistinesThe Philistines were a significant and persistent enemy of Israel throughout the Old Testament. Their origins trace back to the Aegean region, and they were part of the Sea Peoples who settled along the coastal plains of Canaan. Archaeological findings, such as pottery and inscriptions, confirm their presence and influence in the region. In the biblical narrative, the Philistines often symbolize the worldly opposition to God's people, representing challenges that require faith and divine intervention to overcome. stood on one hill
The act of standing on a hill signifies a strategic military position. In ancient warfare, high ground provided a tactical advantage, offering visibility and defensive strength. Hills in biblical literature often symbolize places of encounter, decision, and revelation. The Philistines' position on the hill reflects their confidence and readiness for battle, yet it also sets the stage for God to demonstrate His power through unexpected means. the Israelites
The Israelites, God's chosen people, are central to the biblical narrative. Their identity is rooted in the covenant with Yahweh, and their history is marked by cycles of faithfulness and rebellion. In this context, the Israelites are facing a formidable enemy, and their response will test their reliance on God. The Israelites' presence on the battlefield underscores the ongoing spiritual and physical battles they face as they strive to fulfill their divine calling. stood on another
The Israelites' position on a separate hill highlights the standoff between the two armies. This separation not only represents the physical distance but also the spiritual and cultural divide between the people of God and their adversaries. The imagery of standing on a hill can also evoke the idea of being set apart, a recurring theme in Scripture where God's people are called to be distinct and holy. with the valley between them
The valley serves as a literal and metaphorical space of confrontation. Valleys in the Bible often symbolize places of testing, decision, and divine intervention. This particular valley, the Valley of Elah, becomes the stage for one of the most famous biblical battles, where David's faith and God's power triumph over Goliath's might. The valley represents the challenges and trials believers face, where faith is tested, and God's deliverance is revealed. Persons / Places / Events 1. PhilistinesA significant enemy of Israel during the time of the Old Testament, known for their military prowess and frequent conflicts with the Israelites. 2. IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, led by King Saul at this time, who were often in conflict with surrounding nations, including the Philistines. 3. Valley of ElahThe geographical location where the battle between the Philistines and Israelites took place. It served as the setting for the famous encounter between David and Goliath. 4. HillThe strategic high ground occupied by both armies, symbolizing the standoff and tension between the two forces. 5. BattleThe impending conflict between the Philistines and Israelites, setting the stage for David's confrontation with Goliath. Teaching Points Strategic PositioningJust as the Israelites and Philistines positioned themselves strategically, Christians must be aware of their spiritual positioning. Are we standing firm in our faith, ready to face challenges? Facing the ValleyThe valley represents challenges and trials. As believers, we must trust God to guide us through our valleys, knowing that He is with us even in difficult times. Preparation for BattleThe standoff between the two armies reminds us of the importance of preparation. Are we preparing ourselves spiritually through prayer, scripture, and fellowship to face the battles in our lives? Trust in God's DeliveranceThe account of David and Goliath, which follows this verse, teaches us to trust in God's power rather than our own strength. Are we relying on God to deliver us from our giants? Unity and CommunityThe Israelites stood together as a community. In our spiritual battles, we must not stand alone but seek the support and encouragement of our Christian community. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the strategic positioning of the Philistines and Israelites teach us about preparing for spiritual battles in our own lives? 2. How can the concept of the "valley" in this passage be applied to the challenges we face today? What valleys are you currently facing? 3. In what ways can we ensure that we are spiritually prepared for the battles we encounter, drawing from the example of the Israelites? 4. How does the account of David and Goliath, which follows this verse, encourage us to trust in God's power rather than our own abilities? 5. What role does community play in facing spiritual battles, and how can we foster a supportive Christian community in our own lives? Connections to Other Scriptures Joshua 15:33-36Provides background on the Valley of Elah, situating it within the territory of Judah, which is significant for understanding the strategic importance of the location. 1 Samuel 17:45-47Highlights David's faith and reliance on God, contrasting the physical standoff with the spiritual battle that David engages in. Ephesians 6:12Connects the physical battle in 1 Samuel 17 to the spiritual battles Christians face, emphasizing the need for spiritual armor. People Abinadab, Abner, David, Elah, Eliab, Ephah, Goliath, Israelites, Jesse, Saul, ShammahPlaces Azekah, Bethlehem, Ekron, Ephes-dammim, Gath, Jerusalem, Shaaraim, Socoh, Valley of ElahTopics Hill, Israelites, Mountain, Occupied, Philistines, Ravine, Standing, Stationed, Stood, ValleyDictionary of Bible Themes 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 17:3 NIV1 Samuel 17:3 NLT1 Samuel 17:3 ESV1 Samuel 17:3 NASB1 Samuel 17:3 KJV
1 Samuel 17:3 Commentaries
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