1 Samuel 17

17:1 The Philistines presented an ongoing threat throughout Saul’s reign (see 14:47-52). • Socoh in Judah was fourteen miles west of Bethlehem toward Philistine territory. • Azekah was a few miles northwest of Socoh (the precise location of Ephes-dammim is unknown). The Philistines were encroaching on Israelite territory.

17:2 The valley of Elah was a fertile area that ran east–west, fifteen miles southwest of Bethlehem.

17:4 champion: In ancient times, rival forces would sometimes agree to let selected individuals from each side decide a conflict. This reduced casualties and other costs. The same kind of combat is reflected in 2 Sam 2:12-17. • Gath was one of five Philistine cities with a reputation for having giants as citizens (2 Sam 21:15-22).

17:5-7 Although Goliath was a fully armored warrior of terrifying size, he did not have God—a far mightier warrior—on his side (17:45-47).

17:12 Ephrathite: Ephrath is a name for Bethlehem (Gen 35:19; 1 Chr 4:4).

17:15 went back and forth: David apparently served as a musician and armor bearer in Saul’s court (see 16:19-23) while maintaining his duties at home. The intermittent nature of David’s service might explain why Saul was unfamiliar with David during the encounter with Goliath (see 17:55-58).

17:26 What will a man get: Cp. 18:17-27. David’s interest in a reward was overshadowed by his determination to silence Goliath’s defiance of God (17:45-47). • pagan: Literally uncircumcised. See study note on 14:6.

17:28 Eliab . . . was angry, perhaps resentful that David, rather than he, was anointed to be king (16:6-13).

17:32 I’ll go fight him! David’s courage stands in contrast to Saul’s fear (17:11).

17:40 A stream flowed through the valley of Elah (17:2). • A sling was a leather pouch attached to two leather thongs. When the sling containing a stone was whirled rapidly, one of the thongs could be released, sending the stone toward its target. David probably became deadly accurate with a sling as a shepherd, but the sling was used by warriors as well (Judg 20:16).

17:42 ruddy-faced: The same Hebrew word is translated “dark” (16:12) and “very red” (Gen 25:25). Here, it emphasizes David’s youthfulness and inexperience. • boy: Saul had expressed similar disbelief (1 Sam 17:33). As a champion, Goliath expected to be met by an Israelite warrior of similar rank.

17:43 a dog: A metaphor for a compliant, bowing servant (cp. 2 Sam 9:8). • a stick: David had concealed his sling, and Goliath could see only his staff. • by the names of his gods: Since Goliath appealed to his gods, David’s victory over Goliath would also symbolize God’s victory over Dagon, the chief god of the Philistines (1 Sam 5:2, 5).

17:44 A corpse left to scavengers such as birds and wild animals was grievously cursed (cp. Deut 21:23; 28:26).

17:45-47 the Lord of Heaven’s Armies: See study note on 1:3. Despite the Philistines’ apparent military advantage, David knew that Israel had the supreme advantage in the one true God.

17:49 Goliath’s forehead remained exposed beneath his enormous helmet. • stumbled and fell face down: The stone only incapacitated Goliath; David killed him by decapitating him (17:51).

17:52 The Israelites chased the Philistines to Gath, some six miles to the west. • Ekron was a Philistine city five miles north of Gath. • Shaaraim was a city of Judah near Azekah (17:1).

17:53 Unless expressly prohibited (e.g., 15:3; Josh 6:18), victory in battle allowed for the taking of war spoils (Deut 2:35; Josh 8:2).

17:54 Jerusalem became an Israelite city later, when David captured it from the Jebusites (2 Sam 5:6-7). Jerusalem was probably the final destination of Goliath’s head, after David had become king. But David might have taken it to Jerusalem earlier to intimidate the non-Israelite occupants.

17:55-58 In light of 16:14-23, it is surprising that neither Saul nor Abner knew who David was. It is possible that the events of ch 17 happened either before or long after David’s tenure of intermittent service mentioned in ch 16 (Saul probably served as king for forty-two years, 13:1).