1 Kings 17
17
1Now the Philistines, gathering together their troops to battle, assembled at Socho of Juda, and camped between Socho and Azeca in the borders of Dommim.
2And Saul and the children of Israel being gathered together came to the valley of Terebinth: and they set the army in array to fight against the Philistines.
3And 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.
4And there went out a man baseborn from the camp of the Philistines named Goliath, of Geth, whose height was six cubits and a span.
5And he had a helmet of brass upon his head; and he was clothed with a coat of mail with scales. And the weight of his coat of mail was five thousand sicles of brass.
6And he had greaves of brass on his legs; and a buckler of brass covered his shoulders.
7And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam, and the head of his spear weighed six hundred sicles of iron. And his armourbearer went before him.
8And standing he cried out to the bands of Israel, and said to them: Why are you come out prepared to fight? Am not I a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose out a man of you; and let him come down and fight hand to hand.
9If he be able to fight with me, and kill me, we will be servants to you: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, you shall be servants, and shall serve us.
10And the Philistine said: I have defied the bands of Israel this day. Give me a man, and let him fight with me hand to hand.
11And Saul and all the Israelites hearing these words of the Philistine were dismayed, and greatly afraid.
12Now, David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem Juda before mentioned, whose name was Isai, who had eight sons, and was an old man in the days of Saul, and of great age among men.
13And his three eldest sons followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle, were Eliab the firstborn, and the second Abinadab, and the third Samma.
14But David was the youngest. So the three eldest having followed Saul,
15David went, and returned from Saul, to feed his father's flock at Bethlehem.
16Now the Philistine came out morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.
17And Isai said to David his son: Take for thy brethren an ephi of frumenty, and these ten loaves; and run to the camp to thy brethren.
18And carry these ten little cheeses to the tribune. And go see thy brethren, if they are well: and learn with whom they are placed.
19But Saul, and they, and all the children of Israel were in the valley of Terebinth fighting against the Philistines.
20David therefore arose in the morning, and gave the charge of the flock to the keeper: and went away loaded as Isai had commanded him. And he came to the place of Magala, and to the army, which was going out to fight, and shouted for the battle.
21For Israel had put themselves in array: and the Philistines who stood against them were prepared.
22And David leaving the vessels which he had brought, under the care of the keeper of the baggage, ran to the place of the battle and asked if all things went well with his brethren.
23And as he talked with them that baseborn man whose name was Goliath, the Philistine, of Geth, shewed himself coming up from the camp of the Philistines. And he spoke according to the same words, and David heard them.
24And all the Israelites, when they saw the man, fled from his face, fearing him exceedingly.
25And some one of Israel said: Have you seen this man that is come up, for he is come up to defy Israel? And the man that shall slay him, the king will enrich with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and will make his father's house free from tribute in Israel.
26And David spoke to the men that stood by him, saying: What shall be given to the man that shall kill this Philistine, and shall take away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
27And the people answered him the same words saying: These things shall be given to the man that shall slay him.
28Now, when Eliab his eldest brother heard this, when he was speaking with others, he was angry with David, and said: Why camest thou hither? And why didst thou leave those few sheep in the desert? I know thy pride, and the wickedness of thy heart: that thou art come down to see the battle.
29And David said: What have I done? Is there not cause to speak?
30And he turned a little aside from him to another: and said the same word. And the people answered him as before.
31And the words which David spoke were heard, and were rehearsed before Saul.
32And when he was brought to him, he said to him: Let not any man's heart be dismayed in him. I thy servant will go, and will fight against the Philistine.
33And Saul said to David: Thou art not able to withstand this Philistine, nor to fight against him: for thou art but a boy, but he is a warrior from his youth.
34And David said to Saul: Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, or a bear, and took a ram out of the midst of the flock.
35And I pursued after them, and struck them, and delivered it out of their mouth. And they rose up against me; and I caught them by the throat; and I strangled and killed them.
36For I thy servant have killed both a lion and a bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be also as one of them. I will go now, and take away the reproach of the people. For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, who hath dared to curse the army of the living God?
37And David said: The Lord who delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said to David: Go, and the Lord be with thee.
38And Saul clothed David with his garments, and put a helmet of brass upon his head, and armed him with a coat of mail.
39And David, having girded his sword upon his armour, began to try if he could walk in armour: for he was not accustomed to it. And David said to Saul: I cannot go thus, for I am not used to it. And he laid them off,
40And he took his staff, which he had always in his hands: and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them into the shepherd's scrip, which he had with him. And he took a sling in his hand, and went forth against the Philistine.
41And the Philistine came on, and drew nigh against David, and his armourbearer before him.
42And when the Philistine looked, and beheld David, he despised him. For he was a young man, ruddy, and of a comely countenance.
43And the Philistine said to David: Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with a staff? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
44And he said to David: Come to me, and I will give thy flesh to the birds of the air, and to the beasts of the earth.
45And David said to the Philistine: Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, which thou hast defied.
46This day, and the Lord will deliver thee into my hand, and I will slay thee, and take away thy head from thee. And I will give the carcasses of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air, and to the beasts of the earth: that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
47And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for it is his battle; and he will deliver you into our hands.
48And when the Philistine arose and was coming, and drew nigh to meet David, David made haste, and ran to the fight to meet the Philistine.
49And he put his hand into his scrip, and took a stone, and cast it with the sling, and fetching it about struck the Philistine in the forehead. And the stone was fixed in his forehead: and he fell on his face upon the earth.
50And David prevailed over the Philistine, with a sling and a stone: and he struck, and slew the Philistine. And as David had no sword in his hand,
51He ran, and stood over the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath, and slew him, and cut off his head. And the Philistines, seeing that their champion was dead, fled away.
52And the men of Israel and Juda rising up shouted, and pursued after the Philistines till they came to the valley and to the gates of Accaron. And there fell many wounded of the Philistines in the way of Saraim, and as far as Geth, and as far as Accaron.
53And the children of Israel returning, after they had pursued the Philistines, fell upon their camp.
54And David taking the head of the Philistine brought it to Jerusalem: but his armour he put in his tent.
55Now at the time that Saul saw David going out against the Philistines, he said to Abner the captain of the army: Of what family is this young man descended, Abner? And Abner said: As thy soul liveth, O king, I know not.
56And the king said: Inquire thou, whose son this man is.
57And when David was returned, after the Philistine was slain, Abner took him, and brought him in before Saul, with the head of the Philistine in his hand.
58And Saul said to him: Young man, of what family art thou? And David said: I am the son of thy servant Isai the Bethlehemite.
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1 Kings 17: DRC1752
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An historical text maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.
1 Samuel 17
17
David and Goliath
1Now the Philistines #ch. 13:5 gathered their armies for battle. And they were gathered at #Josh. 15:35 Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and #Josh. 10:10; Neh. 11:30 Azekah, in #[1 Chr. 11:13]Ephes-dammim. 2And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered, and encamped in #ver. 19; ch. 21:9the Valley of Elah, and drew up in line of battle against the Philistines. 3And 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. 4And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named #[2 Sam. 21:19; 1 Chr. 20:4] Goliath of #ch. 21:10; Josh. 11:22; 13:3Gath, whose height was six#17:4 Hebrew; Septuagint, Dead Sea Scroll and Josephus four cubits#17:4 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters and a span. 5He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels#17:5 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams of bronze. 6And he had bronze armor on his legs, and a #ver. 45javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders. 7The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron. #ver. 41And his shield-bearer went before him. 8He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and #ch. 8:17are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. 9If he is able to fight with 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 #[ch. 11:1]and serve us.” 10And the Philistine said, #ver. 25, 26, 36, 45; [2 Sam. 21:21]“I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man, that we may fight together.” 11When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.
12Now David was #ver. 58; ch. 16:1, 18; Ruth 4:22 the son of an #Gen. 35:19 Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, #ver. 58; ch. 16:1, 18 named Jesse, #ch. 16:10, 11; [1 Chr. 2:13-15]who had eight sons. In the days of Saul the man was already old and advanced in years.#17:12 Septuagint, Syriac; Hebrew advanced among men 13The three oldest sons of Jesse had followed Saul to the battle. And #ch. 16:6, 8, 9; [1 Chr. 2:13]the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. 14#ch. 16:11David was the youngest. The three eldest followed Saul, 15but David went back and forth from Saul #ch. 16:19to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16For forty days the Philistine came forward and took his stand, morning and evening.
17And Jesse said to David his son, “Take for your brothers an ephah#17:17 An ephah was about 3/5 bushel or 22 liters of this parched grain, and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp to your brothers. 18#[ch. 16:20] Also take these ten cheeses to the commander of their thousand. #[Gen. 37:14]See if your brothers are well, and bring some token from them.”
19Now Saul and they and all the men of Israel were in the Valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. 20And David rose early in the morning and left the sheep with a keeper and took the provisions and went, as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to #ch. 26:5, 7the encampment as the host was going out to the battle line, shouting the war cry. 21And Israel and the Philistines drew up for battle, army against army. 22And David left the #[Isa. 10:28; Acts 21:15]things in charge of the keeper of the #[Isa. 10:28; Acts 21:15]baggage and ran to the ranks and went and greeted his brothers. 23As he talked with them, behold, #ver. 4 the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines and spoke #ver. 8the same words as before. And David heard him.
24All the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were much afraid. 25And the men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to #ver. 10, 36, 45 defy Israel. And the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches #[Josh. 15:16]and will give him his daughter and make his father’s house free in Israel.” 26And David said to the men who stood by him, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away #ch. 11:2 the reproach from Israel? For who is this #See Judg. 14:3 uncircumcised Philistine, that he should #[See ver. 25 above] defy the armies of #Deut. 5:26; Josh. 3:10the living God?” 27And the people answered him in the same way, #ver. 25“So shall it be done to the man who kills him.”
28Now Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men. And Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption and the evil of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.” 29And David said, “What have I done now? Was it not but a word?” 30And he turned away from him toward another, and spoke #ver. 26, 27in the same way, and the people answered him again as before.
31When the words that David spoke were heard, they repeated them before Saul, and he sent for him. 32And David said to Saul, #[Deut. 20:3] “Let no man’s heart fail because of him. #[ch. 16:18]Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” 33And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.” 34But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, 35I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. 36Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, #ver. 10, 26for he has defied the armies of the living God.” 37And David said, #[2 Tim. 4:17] “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, #[ch. 20:13; 1 Chr. 22:11, 16]and the Lord be with you!”
38Then Saul clothed David with his armor. He put a helmet of bronze on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail, 39and David strapped his sword over his armor. And he tried in vain to go, for he had not tested them. Then David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” So David put them off. 40Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine.
41And the Philistine moved forward and came near to David, #ver. 7with his shield-bearer in front of him. 42And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth, #ch. 16:12ruddy and handsome in appearance. 43And the Philistine said to David, “Am I #ch. 24:14; 2 Sam. 3:8; 9:8; 16:9; 2 Kgs. 8:13a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh #ver. 46to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field.” 45Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with #ver. 6 a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, #[See ver. 36 above]whom you have defied. 46This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. #Deut. 28:26 And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day #ver. 44 to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, #1 Kgs. 18:36; [Josh. 4:24]that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 47and that all this assembly may know that #Hos. 1:7; [Ps. 44:6, 7; Zech. 4:6] the Lord saves not with sword and spear. #2 Chr. 20:15For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.”
48When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. 49And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground.
50So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. There was no sword in the hand of David. 51Then David ran and stood over the Philistine #ch. 21:9; [2 Sam. 23:21] and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, #[Heb. 11:34]they fled. 52And the men of Israel and Judah rose with a shout and pursued the Philistines as far as Gath#17:52 Septuagint; Hebrew Gai and the gates of #Josh. 15:11 Ekron, so that the wounded Philistines fell on the way from #Josh. 15:36 Shaaraim as far as #See ver. 4Gath and Ekron. 53And the people of Israel came back from chasing the Philistines, and they plundered their camp. 54And David took #ver. 57 the head of the Philistine #[2 Sam. 5:6, 7]and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his armor in his tent.
55As soon as Saul saw David go out against the Philistine, he said to Abner, #2 Sam. 2:8 the commander of the army, “Abner, #[ch. 16:21, 22] whose son is this youth?” And Abner said, #See ch. 1:26“As your soul lives, O king, I do not know.” 56And the king said, “Inquire whose son the boy is.” 57And as soon as David returned from the striking down of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul #ver. 54with the head of the Philistine in his hand. 58And Saul said to him, “Whose son are you, young man?” And David answered, #ver. 12“I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.”
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