1 Samuel 17:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them.

NIV: The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.

NASB: The Philistines were standing on the mountain on one side, while Israel was standing on the mountain on the other side, with the valley between them.

CSB: The Philistines were standing on one hill, and the Israelites were standing on another hill with a ravine between them.

NLT: So the Philistines and Israelites faced each other on opposite hills, with the valley between them.

KJV: And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.

NKJV: The Philistines stood on a mountain on one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side, with a valley between them.

The Philistine and Israelite armies are drawn up in battle lines, facing off but not engaged in combat. The Israelites occupy a mountain on the north side of the plain or valley, while the Philistines camp on the mountain on the south side of the Valley of Elah.

This situation is similar to a time earlier in Saul's reign. A massive Philistine army camped on one side of a ravine near Michmash with the tiny, mostly weaponless Israelite forces camped on the other side. In that case, the bold faith and bold attack by Saul's son Jonathan kicked off a miraculous victory from the Lord for Israel (1 Samuel 14). This time, the boldness brought on by faith in God will be provided by someone else.

First Samuel 17:1–11 introduces a Philistine champion called Goliath. The armies of Israel and Philistia face off across a valley. Goliath is massive, towering over every other warrior, with gigantic weapons to match. Day after day (1 Samuel 17:16), he taunts the Israelite army. Goliath dares them to send their own champion to face him in single combat; the winner will determine which army is victorious. The Israelite soldiers are too intimidated to fight.

David, delivering food to his brothers at the Israelite army camp, hears the Philistine Goliath's defiant challenge. Single man combat could decide the battle, but no Israelite wanted to face the massive warrior. David is appalled that a Philistine would defy the armies of the living God. He volunteers to fight, and King Saul agrees. Before the battle, David declares that the Lord will give victory and thereby show the world that there is a God in Israel. David quickly kills and beheads Goliath. The Israelites chase the Philistines back to their own territory and plunder their camp. David brings Goliath's head to Saul.

Saul was made king of Israel (1 Samuel 9—10) and had many early successes (1 Samuel 11—14). However, his disobedience resulted in God's plan for a different king (1 Samuel 15). The prophet Samuel anointed David as this future monarch (1 Samuel 16:11–13). David has been serving as a musician for Saul (1 Samuel 16:18–21) and comes visit his brothers during a standoff between Israelite and Philistine forces. This leads to the famous story of David and Goliath. David's victory publicly triggers his rise to power, paralleled by Saul's collapse. In the end, Saul will die in disgrace (1 Samuel 31:4–7) and David will be appointed the new king of Israel (1 Samuel 2:45:1–3).

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.

Accessed 4/17/2025 4:06:32 PM