1 Samuel 17:1–17:58

between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. Socoh was fif- teen miles west of Bethlehem, near the Philistine border, and Azekah was two miles northwest of Socoh. | Valley of Elah. The valley descends from east to west, passing just north of Socoh and Azekah. | champion. Trial by single combat, where the outcome of a fight to the death between two champions is taken as the will of the gods, is rare in the Old Testament (compare 2 Sam. 2:14-16). It is well attested, how- ever, among some of Israel's neighbors. six cubits and a span. That is, nine feet, nine inches. The Septuagint (Greek Old Testament translation), Dead Sea Scrolls, and Josephus (Antiquities 6.9.1) all have four cubits instead of six, making Goliath six and a half feet tall, still a remarkable height by ancient standards. | The detailed description of Goliath's armor and weapons is strik- ing. David does not have to trust in equipment (vv. 39, 50). | Saul. The Philistine challenge to the “servants of Saul” had been to “choose a man’ (v. 8). The logical choice would have been Saul (9:2; 10:23, 24), but he was terrified like everyone else. | Ephrathite. See Gen. 35:19; 48:7; Ruth 1:2; 4:11; 1 Chr. 4:4; Mic. 52. | David went back and forth from Saul. David's time was split between duties to his king (16:21-23) and to his father. David's whole family is introduced with him (wv. 12-14). | give him his daughter. See notes 18:17-19, 20-27. | uncircumcised Philistine. See note 14:6. | Eliab’s anger was kindled. Eliab's sudden anger is the reaction of aman who was unable to meet a challenge and who resented being out- done by his little brother. David's having been anointed would only increase Eliab’s jealousy. In Genesis 37, Joseph's older brothers react in the same way to the knowledge that he would one day be superior to them (Gen, 37:2-19). with whom have you left those few sheep. Whatever his excitement about the battle, David had acted responsibly in regard to his more mun- dane duties (vv. 20, 22). your presumption, Or, “your insolence.” the evil of your heart. Contrast Eliab’s judgment of David with God's, as indicated by statements like “a man after his own heart” (13:14), and “the Lord looks on the heart” (16:7). | The conversation between Saul and David vividly illustrates the radical difference in perspective between them. Saul continues to think in terms of what is humanly possible ("You are not able/"'v. 33), while David is confident that “The Lorb ... will deliver me” (v. 37). 17:36 uncircumcised Philistine. See 14:6 note. | the Loro be with you. David's rise to power continues to be fur- thered, if unwittingly, by Saul, Having brought him into his court (16:19 note), Saul now sends him out to fight his battle. Most ironic of all, Saul invokes over David the benediction that most clearly distinguishes them and will account for David's ultimate success—"the Loro be with you" (16:18 and note). | David's rejection of Saul’s armor and weapons supports the point of the narrative that “the LorD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lorp’s” (v. 47). | in the name of the Lorp of hosts. See note 1:3. David comes “in the name” of God, that is, by the authority and power of God. On the sig- nificance of God's name as expressing His character, see, for example, Ex. 34:5-7. | dead bodies . . . of the Philistines. David outdoes Goliath's threat (v. 44) by extending his counterthreat to encompass the entire Philistine army. | battle is the Lorp’s. See notes on wy. 38, 39; 14:6. 17:50 killed. That is, dealt him the mortal wound (v. 51) note. There was no sword. This verse marks the climax of the contest between Goliath, who physically speaking had all the advantages, and David, who had God on his side, and was able to triumph even without a sword (cf. vv. 45-47). | killed. A different form of the Hebrew verb is used than in v. 50; the sense is “dispatched, as in 14:13. | Gath and Ekron. See notes 4:1; 5:8, 10. | brought it to Jerusalem. Since Jerusalem was at this time in Jebusite hands (2 Sam. 5:6-9 and notes), this remark should be under- stood as referring to a later time. | whose son is this youth. Saul’s question and Abner’s response appear to conflict with the events described in 16:18-22. At the same time a chronological relationship between chs. 16 and 17 seems to be warranted (v.15 and 18:2). Saul’s question may have been prompted by concerns about the social status of someone who might receive the posi- tion promised in 17:25, including marriage to his daughter. The intensity of Saul’s interest may also reflect his knowledge that the kingdom will ultimately be given to “a neighbor of yours, who is better than you" (15:28). See 18:8 and note.