1 Samuel 17

1 Samuel 17

Chart from recommended resource Jensen's Survey of the OT - used by permission 1 Samuel Chart from Charles Swindoll TIMELINE OF THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, KINGS & CHRONICLES 1107 1011 971 931 853 722 586 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 1 Kings 2 Kings 31 1-4 5-10 11-20 21-24 1-11 12-22 1-17 18-25 1 Chronicles 10 1 Chr 11-19 1 Chr 20-29 2 Chronicles 1-9 2 Chronicles 10-20 2 Chronicles 21-36 Legend: B.C. dates at top of timeline are approximate. Note that 931BC marks the division of the Kingdom into Southern Tribes (Judah and Benjamin) and Ten Northern Tribes. To avoid confusion be aware that after the division of the Kingdom in 931BC, the Southern Kingdom is most often designated in Scripture as "Judah" and the Northern Kingdom as "Israel." Finally, note that 1 Chronicles 1-9 is not identified on the timeline because these chapters are records of genealogy. The Ryrie Study Bible Map on Left ESV Global Study Bible, on right Jensen's Survey of the OT Overlappings in 1 Samuel First Three Kings of Israel Main Characters in 1 Samuel 1 Samuel 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle; and they were gathered at Socoh which belongs to Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. gathered: 1Sa 7:7 1Sa 13:5 1Sa 14:46,52 Jdg 3:3 Socoh: Jos 15:35, 2Ch 11:7, 2Ch 28:18, Azekah: Jos 10:10,11 15:35 Jer 34:7 Ephes-dammim: or, the coast of Dammim, 1Ch 11:13 1 Samuel 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Battle of Elah - ESV Global Study Bible THE GATHERING BEFORE THE SLAYING We might subtitle this chapter "Small Man with a Giant Faith!" Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle - The passage suggests that the Philistines are the aggressors for this battle. Recall that Saul had an opportunity to annihilate the Philistines in the Battle of Michmash, but made a foolish vow requiring his soldiers to fast all day until they had won the victory. The result was they were famished and weakened and unable to obliterate the fleeing Philistines. 1Sa 14:46 says Saul gave pursuing the Philistines. Saul's sin of a foolish oath and his foolish decision to not pursue the enemy had consequences, as sin always does, so that in 1Sa 14:52 we read that "Now the war against the Philistines was severe all the days of Saul." So chapter 17 recalls one of those "severe days," but as only God can do, He will use this consequence of Saul's sin to elevate the young man David into a leadership role in Saul's regime. The armies were camped on either side of the Elah Valley, 15 mi (24 km) W of Bethlehem. The Philistines were apparently on the hill to the S of the valley, and the Israelites were on the hill to the N. Israel’s ground would never have been footing for Philistine armies if Israel had been faithful to their God. The Philistines (it is probable) had heard that Samuel had fallen out with Saul and forsaken him, and no longer assisted and advised him, and that Saul had grown melancholy and unfit for business, and this news encouraged them to make this attempt for the retrieving of the credit they had lately lost. and they were gathered at Socoh which belongs to Judah (map), and they camped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim - See the map above for these locations situated in the Valley of Elah. Note the ominous sounding name Ephes-dammim which means "edge of blood" or "boundary of blood"! ISBE says "The deep red color of the newly plowed earth in this situation is noticeable and may have given origin to the idea of "blood"" Easton's Dictionary says "It was probably so called as having been the scene of frequent sanguinary conflicts between Israel and the Philistines. It is called Pas-dammim (1 Chr. 11:13)." John Kitto - The Sling and Stone—I Samuel 17 Among the events which have, during the past week, been considered, the combat of David with Goliath stands forth most prominently; and to some of the circumstances of that great deed, our attention may this day be profitably directed. Although we do not, with some, think that “these things are an allegory,” or that this great combat was a type of our Lord’s victory over Satan, or even of man’s combat with the enemy of his soul—it is impossible for the experienced Christian to read it without being reminded of eventful passages in his own spiritual history. There is no doubt some mysterious connection between even the external things of scripture history, and the inner things of our spiritual life, which “the wise” are enabled, by the Spirit’s teaching, to discern, and which renders the seemingly least spiritual parts of the holy writ richly nourishing to their souls. The reader will remember the feelings with which the son of Jesse undertook this combat. Its is with precisely the same feeling that we should advance to the contest with the enemy of our souls. He is far more powerful than we; and those who have not faith to oppose him with the invincible weapons of the Spirit of God, waver and tremble as he advances. But the experienced Christian, whose faith is unshaken, looks around him, and beholds with wonder so many of his brethren tremble before the defier of God’s sacramental host. Their fear is unknown to him. He inquires with David—“What shall be done to the man who takes away the reproach from Israel?” And the answer is—“The man that killeth him, the king shall enrich with great riches,”—the “riches of the glory of his inheritance.” “He that overcometh,” saith the Lord, “shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” (Rev 21:7+) Faith (BELIEVING GOD'S WORD/PROMISES, ACTING ON GOD'S WORD!) in this promise, and hope (ABSOLUTE ASSURANCE OF FUTURE GOOD BY GOD!) to attain the reward, impel him to exertion. He heeds not the reproaches of the fearful brother who dares not resist the enemy (James 4:7+); he will not listen to those who would persuade him that his strength is not equal to the enterprise; for he knows that the strength on which he relies is not his own, but that of the All-strong—the Strengthener (Eph 6:10-12+, 2Ti 2:1+). Firmly, therefore, he advances to the conflict, exclaiming—“I come to thee in the name of the Jehovah Sabaoth, LORD of hosts (of armies), the God of Israel, Whom thou least defied.” (PLAY MIGHTY IS OUR GOD) This, and no other, is the spirit with which we must struggle with all the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil (2Ti 1:7+). “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God.” (2Cor 3:5+) With this sufficiency we can do everything required of us. “I can (NOTE: PAUL'S RESPONSIBILITY),” says Paul, “do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me (GOD'S SOVEREIGN PROVISION OF POWER! ~ principle of 100/100).” (Php 4:13+) So can we. But we must remember, that from the moment we renounce His strength and rely upon our own, we are no longer to be compared to the commissioned servant of God, executing his purposes upon the evil and impious; but are rather like the simple unguarded youth which David would have been, had he acted on no other confidence than his own. Although the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (2Cor 10:3-5+), yet we must use such weapons as we have—such as we best know how to use. The power and courage which David possessed would have availed him little without his sling and his stone; and the powers of resistance which God has graciously consented to afford us, will be equally useless unless we apply them through the appointed means—these are prayer, watchfulness, resistance to sin, resolutions of holiness, and a frequent participation of the means of grace. The gifts of God avail us nothing without the disposition to use them, and this disposition is also his gift, which will not be refused to any that diligently seek it. So God gives the sun, the rain, the soil, the seed—but man must till the field and sow the ground, or else there will be no harvest (GOD'S PART/OUR PART). It is God that gives the increase; but yet Paul must plant and Apollos water (1Co 3:6,7+). It is God who gives the talents; but man must put them out to the exchangers, or else Christ at his coming will not receive his own with usury. The grace of God is an invincible weapon; but we must employ it, (GOD'S PROVISION/OUR RESPONSIBILITY) or it will rust—will no more fight our spiritual battle, than a sword will defend us while we delay to draw it, or than the stones of the brook could avail David while they only lay in the sling. Again, the sling and the stone would both have been useless, had not the Spirit of God, guided the hand of David; and in like manner must the Christian be convinced that the means which are given to him of contending with sin, are only efficacious because “it is God that worketh in us to will and to do.” Philippians 2:13+. The certainty that all our strength is from above, and the determination actively to employ that strength, must go together; neither will effect anything without the other; but the two combined will, by the blessing of God, finally beat down Satan under our feet. (Ro 16:20+). If there be any who, like Eliab, are not only afraid to engage in the contest themselves, but are ready to reproach its with “pride and naughtiness of heart,” because we have determined to follow the Lord wholly (2Chr 16:9), and to subject our conversation to a rule of severer holiness than they can bring themselves to bear—let us answer with David, “Is there not a cause?” There is every conceivable cause. “There is gratitude for love which eternity could never repay; there is love which eternity could never satisfy; and there is even private interest, which is more effectually promoted by the service of God than by any other assignable means.” There may, again, be some who, like Saul, will tell us that we are too weak to contend with all the difficulties which lie before us—and they will offer us, as Saul offered David his armor, a panoply of worldly precepts and maxims for the conduct of life, taken from their own experience, and adapted to persons like themselves; but which, not being founded on the strict and undeviating model of Christ’s law, are no more fitted to our use, than the massive and cumbersome armor of Saul became the slender and unaccustomed David. Our answer must be, we “cannot go with these.” We “have not proved them;” and did we prove them, we should find them useless indeed. We must go in the might of the Lord, and in that alone; and with this, we shall go forth conquering and to conquer the enemies of our peace, till we receive the end of our faith—the salvation of our souls. (ED: HE IS NOT IMPLYING OUR WORKS MERIT SALVATION BUT ULTIMATELY THAT OUR WORKS DEMONSTRATE WE ARE TRULY SAVED AND THUS WE PERSEVERE TO THE END BECAUSE GOD IN US ENABLES US TO PERSEVERE! THERE IS NO OTHER WAY BELOVED!) 1 Samuel 17:2 Saul and the men of Israel were gathered and camped in the valley of Elah, and drew up in battle array to encounter the Philistines. the valley: 1Sa 17:19 21:9 set the battle in array: Heb. ranged the battle 1 Samuel 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Valley of Elah on the left and large Terebinth in the valley on the right DOWN IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH Saul and the men of Israel were gathered and camped in the valley of Elah, and drew up in battle array to encounter the Philistines - Elah means terebinth or oak. Easton's Dictionary writes "The terebinths from which the valley of Elah takes its name still cling to their ancient soil. On the west side of the valley, near Shochoh, there is a very large and ancient tree of this kind known as the 'terebinth of Wady Sur,' 55 feet in height, its trunk 17 feet in circumference, and the breadth of its shade no less than 75 feet. It marks the upper end of the Elah valley, and forms a noted object, being one of the largest terebinths in Palestine." Wikipedia has an interesting note on the Valley of Elah - is a long, shallow valley in Israel and the West Bank best known as the place described in the Hebrew Bible (or Old Testament of Christianity) where the Israelites were encamped when David fought Goliath (1 Samuel 17:2; 1 Samuel 17:19). It is home to several important archaeological sites, including those identified as the ancient towns of Azekah and Socho (1 Samuel 17:1). Rising up from the valley on its extreme southeast end lies the hilltop ruin Adullam, and on its north lie the ruins of the ancient fortress city of Khirbet Qeiyafa, which is identified with the ancient town of Sha'araim (1 Samuel 17:52). The valley is named after the large and shady terebinth trees (Pistacia atlantica) which are indigenous to it. 1 Samuel 17:3 The Philistines stood on the mountain on one side while Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with the valley between them. 1 Samuel 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Valley of Elah - ESV Global Study Bible PHILISTINES ARRAYED AGAINST ISRAEL IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH The Philistines stood on the mountain on one side while Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with the valley between them - The mountain would give both sides an advantageous view of the adversary. Smith - The Philistines occupied the western slope of the Elah Valley and the Israelites were on the east. In the middle of this broad valley (עֵמֶק, ˓ēmeq) was a valley (גַיְא, gay˒), the narrow stream bed. (1-2 Samuel - College Press) Paul Apple - Only fight battles that the Lord has a stake in winning; make sure our battles are important to the Lord. Examine our priorities. How will victory in this battle glorify our God? In what area is Satan marshalling his forces to try to defy God and destroy God's program? The lines between the people of God and God's enemies were clearly drawn (1Sa 17:1-3)--no gray area here-- "the battle is the Lord's" (1Sa 17:47) 1 Samuel 17:4 Then a champion came out from the armies of the Philistines named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. BGT 1 Samuel 17:4 καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἀνὴρ δυνατὸς ἐκ τῆς παρατάξεως τῶν ἀλλοφύλων Γολιαθ ὄνομα αὐτῷ ἐκ Γεθ ὕψος αὐτοῦ τεσσάρων πήχεων καὶ σπιθαμῆς LXE 1 Samuel 17:4 And there went forth a mighty man out of the army of the Philistines, Goliath, by name, out of Geth, his height was four cubits and a span. KJV 1 Samuel 17:4 And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. NET 1 Samuel 17:4 Then a champion came out from the camp of the Philistines. His name was Goliath; he was from Gath. He was close to seven feet tall. CSB 1 Samuel 17:4 Then a champion named Goliath, from Gath, came out from the Philistine camp. He was nine feet, nine inches tall ESV 1 Samuel 17:4 And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. NIV 1 Samuel 17:4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. He was over nine feet tall. NLT 1 Samuel 17:4 Then Goliath, a Philistine champion from Gath, came out of the Philistine ranks to face the forces of Israel. He was over nine feet tall! NRS 1 Samuel 17:4 And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. NJB 1 Samuel 17:4 A champion stepped out from the Philistine ranks; his name was Goliath, from Gath; he was six cubits and one span tall. NAB 1 Samuel 17:4 A champion named Goliath of Gath came out from the Philistine camp; he was six and a half feet tall. YLT 1 Samuel 17:4 And there goeth out a man of the duellists from the camps of the Philistines, Goliath is his name, from Gath; his height is six cubits and a span, RSV 1 Samuel 17:4 And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. NKJ 1 Samuel 17:4 And a champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. ASV 1 Samuel 17:4 And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. DBY 1 Samuel 17:4 And there went out a champion from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. GWN 1 Samuel 17:4 The Philistine army's champion came out of their camp. His name was Goliath from Gath. He was ten feet tall. BBE 1 Samuel 17:4 And a fighter came out from the tents of the Philistines, named Goliath of Gath; he was more than six cubits tall. Goliath: 1Sa 17:23 21:9,10 2Sa 21:19 1Ch 20:5 Gath: 1Sa 27:4 Jos 11:22 2Sa 21:16-22 1Ch 20:4-8 whose height: De 3:11 1Ch 11:23 Am 2:9 1 Samuel 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Tallest Modern Man - 8'11.1" GOLIATH A GIANT OF A MAN! Then a champion came out from the armies of the Philistines named Goliath, from Gath - Hebrew = "the man of the space between the two [armies]." He was a man that stood in the space between the two opposing armies, and thus described a single soldier who was willing to represent his entire army in one on one combat. The Septuagint translates "champion" with two words, aner meaning man and dunatos meaning mighty, this a "mighty man."