Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 17

144 catchwords780 parallels

← 1 Samuel | ← Ch 16 | Ch 18 →

1 Samuel 17 . 1 , The armies of the Israelites and Philistines being ready to battle , 1 Samuel 17 . 4 , Goliath challenges a combat; 1 Samuel 17 . 12 , David , sent by his father to visit his brethren , takes the challenge; 1 Samuel 17 . 28 , Eliab chides him; 1 Samuel 17 . 30 , He is brought to Saul; 1 Samuel 17 . 32 , shews the reason of his confidence; 1 Samuel 17 . 38 , and slays the giant; 1 Samuel 17 . 55 , Saul takes notice of David.

1 Samuel 17:1

Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war at Socoh in Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim.

1 Samuel 17:1 · BSB

gathered5 parallels

Shochoh3 parallels

Azekah4 parallels

Ephesdammim1 parallel

or , the coast of Dammim

Reciprocal6 parallels

1 Samuel 17:2

Saul and the men of Israel assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah, arraying themselves for battle against the Philistines.

1 Samuel 17:2 · BSB

the valley2 parallels

Reciprocal1 parallel

set the battle in array Heb. ranged the battle

1 Samuel 17:3

The Philistines stood on one hill and the Israelites stood on another, with the valley between them.

1 Samuel 17:3 · BSB

Reciprocal1 parallel

1 Samuel 17:4

Then a champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out from the Philistine camp. He was six cubits and a span in height,

1 Samuel 17:4 · BSB

Goliath5 parallels

of Gath4 parallels

whose height3 parallels

Reciprocal9 parallels

six cubits According to Bp. Cumberland's calculation , the height of Goliath was about eleven feet ten inches; but Parkhurst estimating the ordinary cubit at seventeen inches and a half , calculates that he was nine feet six inches high. Few instances can be produced of men who can be compared with him. Pliny says , "The tallest man that hath been seen in our days was one name Gabara , who , in the days of Claudius , the late Emperor , was brought out of Arabia . he was nine feet nine inches." Josephus mentions a Jew , named Eleazar , whom Vitellius sent to Rome , who was seven cubits , or ten feet two inches high. Becanus saw a man near ten feet , and a woman that was full ten feet. And , to mention no more , a man of the name of John Middleton , born at Hale , near Warrington , in Lancashire , in the reign of James the First , was more than nine feet high. Dr. Plott , in his history of Staffordshire , says , that "his hand , from the carpus to the end of the middle finger , was seventeen inches , his palms eight inches and a half broad , and his whole height was nine feet three inches; wanting but six inches of the height of Goliath of Gath.

1 Samuel 17:5

and he had a bronze helmet on his head. He wore a bronze coat of mail weighing five thousand shekels,

1 Samuel 17:5 · BSB

armed1 parallel

Heb. clothed

Reciprocal2 parallels

1 Samuel 17:6

and he had armor of bronze on his legs and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders.

1 Samuel 17:6 · BSB

target of brass2 parallels

or , gorget

Reciprocal1 parallel

1 Samuel 17:7

The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. In addition, his shield bearer went before him.

1 Samuel 17:7 · BSB

the staff3 parallels

1 Samuel 17:8

And Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and array yourselves for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose one of your men and have him come down against me.

1 Samuel 17:8 · BSB

servants to Saul4 parallels

Reciprocal4 parallels

1 Samuel 17:9

If he is able to fight me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and labor for us.”

1 Samuel 17:9 · BSB

and serve us1 parallel

Reciprocal1 parallel

1 Samuel 17:10

Then the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day! Give me a man to fight!”

1 Samuel 17:10 · BSB

I defy9 parallels

give me6 parallels

Reciprocal4 parallels

1 Samuel 17:11

On hearing the words of the Philistine, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and greatly afraid.

1 Samuel 17:11 · BSB

dismayed7 parallels

Reciprocal2 parallels

1 Samuel 17:12

Now David was the son of a man named Jesse, an Ephrathite from Bethlehem of Judah who had eight sons in the days of Saul. And Jesse was old and well along in years.

1 Samuel 17:12 · BSB

David7 parallels

Ephrathite5 parallels

eight sons3 parallels

Reciprocal7 parallels

1 Samuel 17:13

The three older sons of Jesse had followed Saul into battle: The firstborn was Eliab, the second was Abinadab, and the third was Shammah.

1 Samuel 17:13 · BSB

the names3 parallels

Shammah3 parallels

Reciprocal4 parallels

1 Samuel 17:14

And David was the youngest. The three oldest had followed Saul,

1 Samuel 17:14 · BSB

the youngest2 parallels

1 Samuel 17:15

but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep in Bethlehem.

1 Samuel 17:15 · BSB

returned2 parallels

Reciprocal6 parallels

1 Samuel 17:16

For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening to take his stand.

1 Samuel 17:16 · BSB

forty days2 parallels

Reciprocal1 parallel

1 Samuel 17:17

One day Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp.

1 Samuel 17:17 · BSB

Take now2 parallels

parched corn3 parallels

Reciprocal3 parallels

1 Samuel 17:18

Take also these ten portions of cheese to the commander of their unit. Check on the welfare of your brothers and bring back an assurance from them.

1 Samuel 17:18 · BSB

carry1 parallel

cheeses2 parallels

Heb. cheeses of milk

look4 parallels

Reciprocal7 parallels

their thousand Heb. a thousand

1 Samuel 17:19

They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.”

1 Samuel 17:19 · BSB

the valley1 parallel

Dr. Richardson says , that in about twenty minutes , in an easterly direction , form the cave of St. John . which is about two hours or six miles , in a westerly direction , from Jerusalem they came to the valley of Elah; which position seems to agree with that of Shochoh and Azekah. He describes it as "a small valley , and the place of the encampment is pointed out where it narrows into a broad , deep ravine; part of it was in crop , and part of it was under the plough , which was drawn by a couple of oxen. A small stream , which had shrunk almost under its stony bed , passes through it from east to west , from which we are informed that David chose out five smooth stones , and hasted and ran to meet the haughty champion of Gath. A well of water under the bank , with a few olive trees above , on the north side of the valley , are said to mark the spot of the shepherd's triumph over his boasting antagonist. Saul and his men probably occupied the side of the valley which is nearest to Jerusalem , on which the ground is higher and more rugged than on the other side."

Reciprocal1 parallel

1 Samuel 17:20

So David got up early in the morning, left the flock with a keeper, loaded up, and set out as Jesse had instructed him. He reached the camp as the army was marching out to its position and shouting the battle cry.

1 Samuel 17:20 · BSB

left the sheep3 parallels

trench2 parallels

or , place of the carriage

Reciprocal4 parallels

fight or , battle array , or place of fight

1 Samuel 17:21

And Israel and the Philistines arrayed in formation against each other.

1 Samuel 17:21 · BSB

Reciprocal2 parallels

1 Samuel 17:22

Then David left his supplies in the care of the quartermaster and ran to the battle line. When he arrived, he asked his brothers how they were doing.

1 Samuel 17:22 · BSB

saluted his brethren6 parallels

Heb. asked his brethren of peace

Reciprocal7 parallels

his carriage Heb. the vessels from upon him

1 Samuel 17:23

And as he was speaking with them, suddenly the champion named Goliath, the Philistine from Gath, came forward from the Philistines and shouted his usual words, which David also heard.

1 Samuel 17:23 · BSB

according1 parallel

Reciprocal1 parallel

1 Samuel 17:24

When all the men of Israel saw Goliath, they fled from him in great fear.

1 Samuel 17:24 · BSB

him2 parallels

Heb. his face

sore6 parallels

Reciprocal1 parallel

1 Samuel 17:25

Now the men of Israel had been saying, “Do you see this man who keeps coming out to defy Israel? To the man who kills him the king will give great riches. And he will give him his daughter in marriage and exempt his father’s house from taxation in Israel.”

1 Samuel 17:25 · BSB

the king7 parallels

free in Israel2 parallels

Reciprocal13 parallels

1 Samuel 17:26

David asked the men who were standing with him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Just who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

1 Samuel 17:26 · BSB

reproach10 parallels

uncircumcised2 parallels

defy5 parallels

Reciprocal34 parallels

1 Samuel 17:27

The people told him about the offer, saying, “That is what will be done for the man who kills him.”

1 Samuel 17:27 · BSB

So shall it1 parallel

Reciprocal2 parallels

1 Samuel 17:28

Now when David’s oldest brother Eliab heard him speaking to the men, his anger burned against David. “Why have you come down here?” he asked. “And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and wickedness of heart—you have come down to see the battle!”

1 Samuel 17:28 · BSB

Eliab's anger10 parallels

with1 parallel

I know3 parallels

Reciprocal15 parallels

1 Samuel 17:29

“What have I done now?” said David. “Was it not just a question?”

1 Samuel 17:29 · BSB

the whole verse4 parallels

Reciprocal8 parallels

1 Samuel 17:30

Then he turned from him toward another and asked about the offer, and those people answered him just as the first ones had answered.

1 Samuel 17:30 · BSB

manner2 parallels

Heb. word

1 Samuel 17:31

Now David’s words were overheard and reported to Saul, who called for him.

1 Samuel 17:31 · BSB

sent for him12 parallels

Heb. took him

  • Proverbs 22:29 The preceding twenty #### Verses , from the
  • 1 Samuel 17:12 to the
  • 1 Samuel 17:31 inclusive , the
  • 1 Samuel 17:41 and from the
  • 1 Samuel 17:54 to the end of this chapter , with the first
  • 1 Samuel 18:1 and the
  • 1 Samuel 18:9 10th , 11th
  • 1 Samuel 18:17 18th , and 19th , of chapter 18 , are all wanting in the Vatican copy of the LXX; and they are supposed by Dr. Kennicott , and others , to be an interpolation. But , as Bp. Horsley observes , it appears , from many circumstances of the story , that David's combat with Goliath was many years prior to Saul's madness , and David's introduction to him as a musician. In the first place , David was quite a youth when he engaged with Goliath
  • 1 Samuel 17:33 and 1 Samuel 17 . 42. When introduced to Saul he was of full age . 1 Samuel 16 . 18. Again , this combat was his first appearance in public life , and his first military exploit
  • 1 Samuel 17:36
  • 1 Samuel 17:38 1 Samuel 17 . 39. When introduced as a musician , he was a man of established character , and a man of war . 1 Samuel 16 . 18. Now the just conclusion is , that the last ten #### Verses of
  • 1 Samuel 16:14 have been misplaced; their true place being between the ninth and tenth #### Verses of Joshua 18 . 9. Let them be removed there , and the whole apparent disorder will be removed

Reciprocal1 parallel

1 Samuel 17:32

And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail on account of this Philistine. Your servant will go and fight him!”

1 Samuel 17:32 · BSB

Let5 parallels

thy5 parallels

Reciprocal3 parallels

1 Samuel 17:33

But Saul replied, “You cannot go out against this Philistine to fight him. You are just a boy, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”

1 Samuel 17:33 · BSB

Thou art not4 parallels

for thou art but2 parallels

Reciprocal5 parallels

1 Samuel 17:34

David replied, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock,

1 Samuel 17:34 · BSB

Reciprocal15 parallels

lamb or , kid

1 Samuel 17:35

I went after it, struck it down, and delivered the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it.

1 Samuel 17:35 · BSB

smote him9 parallels

Reciprocal8 parallels

1 Samuel 17:36

Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”

1 Samuel 17:36 · BSB

this5 parallels

seeing19 parallels

Reciprocal34 parallels

1 Samuel 17:37

David added, “The LORD, who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear, will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” “Go,” said Saul, “and may the LORD be with you.”

1 Samuel 17:37 · BSB

The Lord13 parallels

Go6 parallels

Reciprocal12 parallels

1 Samuel 17:38

Then Saul clothed David in his own tunic, put a bronze helmet on his head, and dressed him in armor.

1 Samuel 17:38 · BSB

armed David with his armour1 parallel

Heb. clothed David with his clothes

Reciprocal1 parallel

1 Samuel 17:39

David strapped his sword over the tunic and tried to walk, but he was not accustomed to them. “I cannot walk in these,” David said to Saul. “I am not accustomed to them.” So David took them off.

1 Samuel 17:39 · BSB

put them off4 parallels

Reciprocal3 parallels

1 Samuel 17:40

And David took his staff in his hand, selected five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag. And with his sling in hand, he approached the Philistine.

1 Samuel 17:40 · BSB

staff6 parallels

bag1 parallel

Heb. vessel

Reciprocal3 parallels

brook or , valley

1 Samuel 17:41

Now the Philistine came closer and closer to David, with his shield-bearer before him.

1 Samuel 17:41 · BSB

Reciprocal2 parallels

1 Samuel 17:42

When the Philistine looked and saw David, he despised him because he was just a boy, ruddy and handsome.

1 Samuel 17:42 · BSB

disdained7 parallels

a youth2 parallels

Reciprocal5 parallels

1 Samuel 17:43

“Am I a dog,” he said to David, “that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

1 Samuel 17:43 · BSB

Am5 parallels

cursed6 parallels

Reciprocal6 parallels

1 Samuel 17:44

“Come here,” he called to David, “and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!”

1 Samuel 17:44 · BSB

Come to me10 parallels

Reciprocal15 parallels

I will give Parallel instances of vaunting occur in some writers of a more recent date. . The conspirators against the emperor Maximinus having slain him , his son , and several of his best friends , threw out their bodies to be devoured by dogs and the fowls of the air. This custom appears to have been frequently threatened; and , however shocking to human feelings , was often carried into effect.

1 Samuel 17:45

But David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

1 Samuel 17:45 · BSB

Thou comest1 parallel

in the name15 parallels

defied5 parallels

Reciprocal25 parallels

1 Samuel 17:46

This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand. This day I will strike you down, cut off your head, and give the carcasses of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the creatures of the earth. Then the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.

1 Samuel 17:46 · BSB

will the Lord5 parallels

deliver thee1 parallel

Heb. shut thee up

take thine1 parallel

carcases6 parallels

all the earth14 parallels

Reciprocal26 parallels

1 Samuel 17:47

And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and He will give all of you into our hands."

1 Samuel 17:47 · BSB

saveth not7 parallels

the battle7 parallels

Reciprocal17 parallels

1 Samuel 17:48

As the Philistine started forward to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.

1 Samuel 17:48 · BSB

David hasted2 parallels

Reciprocal1 parallel

1 Samuel 17:49

Then David reached into his bag, took out a stone, and slung it, striking the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.

1 Samuel 17:49 · BSB

smote4 parallels

Reciprocal13 parallels

1 Samuel 17:50

Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

1 Samuel 17:50 · BSB

So David prevailed4 parallels

The tradition of the combat between David and Goliath , in which the latter was killed , is preserved among the Arabs; for he is mentioned in the Koran , where he is called Galut or Jalut. The Arabs also call the dynasty of the Philistine kings , who reigned in Palestine when the Hebrews came there , Galutiah , or Jalutiah. Achmed Al Fassi says , "Those kings were as well known by the name of Jalaut , as the ancient kings of Egypt by that of Pharaoh. David killed the Jalaut who reigned in his time , and entirely rooted out the Philistines , the rest of whom fled into Africa , and from them descended the Brebers or Berbers , who inhabit the coast of Barbary." It is remarkable that the Berbers themselves should acknowledge their descent from the Philistines. "The name Goliath , which they pronounce Sghialud , is very common among the Brebers , and the history of the champion of the Philistines is very well known to the Moors. When children quarrel , and the bigger one challenges the smaller to fight the latter answers , Who will fight with you? Enta men ulid Sgialud. You are of the race of Golaith.' The Jews who dwell among them , on the mountains , all call them Philistines."

but there was2 parallels

Reciprocal7 parallels

1 Samuel 17:51

David ran and stood over him. He grabbed the Philistine’s sword and pulled it from its sheath and killed him; and he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.

1 Samuel 17:51 · BSB

his sword6 parallels

cut off1 parallel

fled1 parallel

Reciprocal4 parallels

1 Samuel 17:52

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.

1 Samuel 17:52 · BSB

the men of Israel4 parallels

valley3 parallels

Reciprocal8 parallels

1 Samuel 17:53

When the Israelites returned from their pursuit of the Philistines, they plundered their camps.

1 Samuel 17:53 · BSB

they spoiled3 parallels

Reciprocal2 parallels

1 Samuel 17:54

David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, and he put Goliath’s weapons in his own tent.

1 Samuel 17:54 · BSB

took the head4 parallels

Reciprocal4 parallels

1 Samuel 17:55

As Saul had watched David going out to confront the Philistine, he said to Abner the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” “As surely as you live, O king,” Abner replied, “I do not know.”

1 Samuel 17:55 · BSB

whose son3 parallels

Reciprocal11 parallels

1 Samuel 17:56

“Find out whose son this young man is!” said the king.

1 Samuel 17:56 · BSB

Reciprocal1 parallel

1 Samuel 17:57

So when David returned from killing the Philistine, still holding his head in his hand, Abner took him and brought him before Saul.

1 Samuel 17:57 · BSB

the head1 parallel

1 Samuel 17:58

“Whose son are you, young man?” asked Saul. “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem,” David replied.

1 Samuel 17:58 · BSB

I am the son3 parallels

Reciprocal9 parallels

Whose son To account for the apparent inconsistency of Saul not knowing David , see note at the end of 1 Samuel 17 . 31.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge is the classical cross-reference layer — centuries of catchword parallels beneath the site’s quotations, allusions, and echoes. Every reference above also flows into the wider web of connections.

In the wider web7 threads
Intertextuality Pairs
Allusions 2 Chronicles 20:15 → 1 Samuel 17:47, 2 Chronicles 20:17 → 1 Samuel 17:47, Micah 5:2 → 1 Samuel 17:12
Trajectories
David (The King After God's Own Heart)
Chiasms
Shaped 1 Samuel 17:32–50, 1 Samuel 17:40–50, 1 Samuel 17:48–51
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