Then the men of Israel and Judah charged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. And the bodies of the Philistines were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. Then the men of Israel and Judah aroseThis phrase marks a pivotal moment of unity and action among the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "arose" is "קוּם" (qum), which signifies rising up, standing, or establishing oneself. This action follows David's victory over Goliath, symbolizing a collective awakening and empowerment among the Israelites. Historically, Israel and Judah were often divided, but here they are united in purpose, reflecting the power of faith and divine intervention to bring about unity. shouted
The Hebrew word for "shouted" is "רָנַן" (ranan), which can mean to cry out, rejoice, or sing. This shout is not just a battle cry but an expression of triumph and renewed confidence. It signifies the Israelites' shift from fear to faith, inspired by David's trust in God. The shout is both a physical and spiritual declaration of victory, echoing throughout the valley as a testament to God's deliverance. and pursued the Philistines
"Pursued" comes from the Hebrew "רָדַף" (radaph), meaning to chase or follow after. This pursuit indicates a complete reversal of roles; the once-dominant Philistines are now fleeing. It highlights the transformative power of faith and courage, as the Israelites, emboldened by David's example, take the offensive. This pursuit is not just a military action but a spiritual reclaiming of territory and identity. to the entrance of the valley and to the gates of Ekron
The "entrance of the valley" and "gates of Ekron" provide geographical markers that underscore the extent of the Israelites' victory. Ekron was one of the five major Philistine cities, and reaching its gates signifies a deep penetration into enemy territory. Archaeologically, Ekron is identified with modern Tel Miqne, and its gates symbolize both a physical and spiritual boundary being breached by the Israelites, demonstrating God's power to overcome formidable obstacles. Their bodies were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron
The imagery of bodies "strewn" along the road paints a vivid picture of the Philistines' defeat. "Shaaraim" means "two gates" in Hebrew, possibly indicating a strategic location or a place of passage. The road to "Gath and Ekron" signifies the retreat path of the Philistines, leading back to their strongholds. This scene serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of opposing God's people and the fulfillment of divine justice. Historically, Gath was another major Philistine city, further emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the victory. Persons / Places / Events 1. Men of Israel and JudahThe combined forces of the Israelites, representing the tribes of Israel and Judah, who were initially fearful but gained courage after David's victory over Goliath. 2. PhilistinesThe enemies of Israel, who were defeated in this battle after their champion, Goliath, was slain by David. 3. ValleyRefers to the Valley of Elah, where the battle between David and Goliath took place. 4. EkronOne of the five major cities of the Philistines, to which the Israelites pursued their enemies. 5. Shaaraim road to Gath and EkronThe route along which the Philistines fled and were defeated, indicating the thoroughness of Israel's victory. Teaching Points Courage from FaithThe Israelites' newfound courage came from witnessing God's power through David. Our faith can inspire others to overcome fear and take action. God's DeliveranceJust as God delivered Israel from the Philistines, He delivers us from our spiritual battles. Trust in His power and timing. Unity in VictoryThe men of Israel and Judah rallied together. Unity among believers is crucial for overcoming challenges and achieving victory. Pursuing the EnemyAfter the initial victory, the Israelites pursued their enemies. In our spiritual lives, we must not only resist sin but actively pursue righteousness. Remembering God's Past VictoriesReflecting on past victories strengthens our faith for future battles. Keep a record of God's faithfulness in your life. Bible Study Questions 1. How did the victory over Goliath change the attitude and actions of the Israelite army, and what does this teach us about the impact of faith-driven leadership? 2. In what ways can we apply the concept of "pursuing the enemy" in our spiritual lives today? 3. How does the unity of Israel and Judah in this passage reflect the importance of unity in the church? 4. What are some personal "Goliaths" you have faced, and how has God helped you overcome them? 5. How can remembering past victories in your life encourage you in current or future challenges? Consider writing down a testimony of God's faithfulness. Connections to Other Scriptures Joshua 10:10-11This passage describes a similar pursuit and defeat of Israel's enemies, highlighting God's intervention and the Israelites' victory. Judges 7:22-23Gideon's victory over the Midianites, where the enemy fled and was pursued, showing a pattern of God delivering Israel from overwhelming odds. Psalm 18:37-42David's psalm of victory, where he speaks of pursuing and defeating his enemies, reflecting the same divine empowerment seen in 1 Samuel 17:52. People Abinadab, Abner, David, Elah, Eliab, Ephah, Goliath, Israelites, Jesse, Saul, ShammahPlaces Azekah, Bethlehem, Ekron, Ephes-dammim, Gath, Jerusalem, Shaaraim, Socoh, Valley of ElahTopics Along, Comest, Cry, Dead, Doors, Ekron, Enter, Entrance, Fall, Falling, Fell, Forward, Gai, Gates, Gath, Got, Judah, Lay, Philistines, Pursue, Pursued, Ravine, Rise, Road, Rose, Shaaraim, Sha-ara'im, Shout, Shouted, Slain, Strewn, Surged, Till, Town, Valley, WoundedDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 17:52 5323 gate
5505 roads
7266 tribes of Israel 1 Samuel 17:32-54 5086 David, rise of 1 Samuel 17:51-53 7236 Israel, united kingdom 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 17:52 NIV1 Samuel 17:52 NLT1 Samuel 17:52 ESV1 Samuel 17:52 NASB1 Samuel 17:52 KJV
1 Samuel 17:52 Commentaries
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