Thematic Bible

Themes in 1 Samuel 17

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Themes in 1 Samuel 17

1 Samuel 17:1 (show verse)

The Philistines assembled their army for battle. They were assembled at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.

Azekah » A town of judah
Ephes-dammin » A place in the territory of the tribe of judah
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Pas-dammim » Called ephes-dammim in
Philistines » Defeated by israel at ephes-dammim and pursued to ekron
Philistines » Character of » Warlike
Socoh » Also called shocho, shochoh, shoco, sochoh » A city of the tribe of judah

1 Samuel 17:2 (show verse)

Saul and the Israelis assembled and camped in the valley of Elah, where they set up their forces to meet the Philistines.

Armies » Employed in » Fighting battles
Elah » A valley where david killed goliath
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Valleys » Mentioned in scripture » Elah

1 Samuel 17:3 (show verse)

The Philistines were standing on the hill on one side while the Israelis were standing on the hill on the other side, with the valley between them.

Armies » Employed in » Fighting battles
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Valleys » Tracts of land between mountains

1 Samuel 17:4 (show verse)

A champion named Goliath from Gath came out from the Philistine camp. He was four cubits and a span tall,

Gath » Goliath lived in
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Measure » A span
Measures » Of length » Span
Philistines » Men of great strength and stature amongst
Philistines » Defied israel by their champion
Giants » The last of, destroyed by david and his warriors
Tents » Were used by » All eastern nations

1 Samuel 17:5 (show verse)

wore a bronze helmet on his head, and wore bronze scale armor that weighed about 5,000 shekels.

military Arms » Defensive: » Helmet
military Arms » Defensive: » Coat of mail, breastplate, habergeon, or brigandine
military Arms » Made of iron, steel, or brass
Brass » Articles made of » Armor
Brass » Made into » Helmets
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Mail » Armor
Philistines » Men of great strength and stature amongst
Philistines » Defied israel by their champion

1 Samuel 17:6 (show verse)

He had bronze armor on his legs and carried a bronze javelin slung between his shoulders.

military Arms » Made of iron, steel, or brass
military Arms » Defensive: » Greaves
military Arms » Defensive: » Target
Brass » Articles made of » Armor
Brass » Made into » Greaves for the legs
Javelin » Used by goliath (rv)
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Philistines » Men of great strength and stature amongst
Philistines » Defied israel by their champion
Target » Made » Of brass (bronze)

1 Samuel 17:7 (show verse)

The shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam and the iron point of his spear weighed 600 shekels. A man carrying his shield walked in front of him.

Armor-bearer » Of goliath
Beam » Weaver's
Iron » First recorded use of » Articles made of » Weapons
Iron » Made into » Weapons of war
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Philistines » Men of great strength and stature amongst
Philistines » Defied israel by their champion
Shekel » Used to weigh » Iron
Shields » Often borne by an armor-bearer
Spear » Goliath's
Spears » Parts of, mentioned » The head of iron or brass
Spears » Parts of, mentioned » The staff of wood

He stood still and called out to the ranks of Israel, "Why should you move into position for battle? Am I not a Philistine and you Saul's servants? Choose a man for yourselves to come down against me.

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Philistines » Defied israel by their champion

1 Samuel 17:9 (show verse)

If he's able to fight me and strike me down, then we will become your servants; but if I prevail against him and strike him down, then you will become our servants and serve us."

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Philistines » Defied israel by their champion

1 Samuel 17:10 (show verse)

The Philistine said, "I defy the ranks of Israel today. Send me one man and let's fight together."

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Philistines » Defied israel by their champion

1 Samuel 17:11 (show verse)

When Saul and all the Israelis heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and very frightened.

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 17:12 (show verse)

David was the son of that Ephrathite man named Jesse from Bethlehem in Judah. He had eight sons; at the time when Saul was king he was old, having lived to an advanced age.

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Bethlehem » A city » A city southwest of jerusalem » And beth-lehem-judah
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
David » King of israel » Genealogy of
Jesse » Father of david
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 17:13 (show verse)

The three oldest sons of Jesse followed Saul into battle. The names of his three sons who went to the battle were his firstborn Eliab, Abinadab, his second son, and Shammah, the third.

Abinadab » Son of jesse
Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Eliab » Son of jesse and eldest brother of david
Jesse » Sons in saul's army
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Shammah » David's brother

1 Samuel 17:14 (show verse)

David was the youngest, while the three oldest had followed Saul.

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Jesse » Sons in saul's army
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 17:15 (show verse)

And David would go back and forth from Saul to tend his father's sheep in Bethlehem.

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Children » Male » Usefully employed
Jesse » Sons in saul's army
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Shepherds » Members of the family both male and female acted as

1 Samuel 17:16 (show verse)

For 40 days the Philistine would come forward, morning and evening, to take his position.

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Days » Forty days » Goliath's defiance lasted
Forty days » Goliath's defiance lasted
Jesse » Sons in saul's army
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Periods and numbers » Forty days » Goliath's defiance lasted

1 Samuel 17:17 (show verse)

Jesse told his son David, "Take this ephah of roasted grain to your brothers, along with these ten loaves of bread, and quickly take them to your brothers in the camp.

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
the Armies of israel » Mode of provisioning: » Food sent by their families
Bread » How prepared » Made into loaves
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Corn » Parched
the Diet of the jews » Articles used for » Bread
the Diet of the jews » Articles used for » Parched corn
Food » List of articles » Bread
Food » Articles of » Parched (roasted) corn (grain)
Food » Articles of » Bread
Jesse » Sons in saul's army
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Measure » An ephah, equal to three seah, and in liquid, to a bath, containing about a bushel and a half
Victuals » List of articles » Bread

1 Samuel 17:18 (show verse)

Take these ten pieces of cheese to the commander of the unit, check on the well-being of your brothers, and bring something back from them.

Armies » Captains of thousands
Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Captain » Of thousands
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
the Diet of the jews » Articles of, often sent as presents
the Diet of the jews » Articles used for » Cheese
Food » List of articles » Cheese
Food » Articles of » Cheese
Jesse » Sons in saul's army
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Victuals » List of articles » Cheese

1 Samuel 17:19 (show verse)

Saul, your brothers, and all the men of Israel are in the valley of Elah fighting with the Philistines."

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Elah » A valley where david killed goliath
Jesse » Sons in saul's army
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Valleys » Often the scenes of great contests

1 Samuel 17:20 (show verse)

David got up early in the morning, left the sheep with a keeper, took the supplies, and went as Jesse had directed him. He arrived at the encampment as the army was going out to the battle line, shouting the battle cry.

Armies » Commenced battles with a shout
Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Armies » March in ranks » Battle shouts
Battle » Shouting in
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Good Children » Exemplified
Early rising » Exemplified » David
Jesse » Sons in saul's army
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Rising » Instances of » David
Sheep » Flocks of » Attended by servants
Shepherds » Had hired keepers under them

1 Samuel 17:21 (show verse)

Israel and the Philistines moved into position for battle, battle line facing battle line.

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Jesse » Sons in saul's army
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 17:22 (show verse)

David left the supplies he had with him in the care of the supply keeper and ran to the battle line. When he arrived there, he asked his brothers about their well-being.

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Jesse » Sons in saul's army
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Salutations » Were given » By brethren to each other

1 Samuel 17:23 (show verse)

As he was speaking with them, the Philistine champion named Goliath from Gath came up from the Philistine battle lines and spoke his usual words, as David listened.

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Jesse » Sons in saul's army
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 17:24 (show verse)

When all the Israelis saw the man, they fled from him and were very frightened.

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Cowardice » Cowardice, examples of » Israel before goliath
Cowardice » Instances of » The israelites » To meet goliath
Jesse » Sons in saul's army
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Powerlessness » Of men, often due to sin and unbelief » Apostasy produced a nation of cowards
human Weakness » Powerlessness of men, often due to sin and unbelief » Apostasy produced a nation of cowards

1 Samuel 17:25 (show verse)

"Did all of you see this man coming up?" one Israeli asked. "He comes up to defy Israel, and the king will richly reward the man who kills him. He will give his daughter to him and will make his father's house tax free in Israel."

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Armies » March in ranks » The king offers his daughter
the Armies of israel » Bravery and fidelity in, rewarded
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Daughter » Given in marriage by parents
Jesse » Sons in saul's army
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Marriage » Daughters given in, as rewards of valor
Marriage » Given by kings

1 Samuel 17:26 (show verse)

David asked the men who were standing by him, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? Indeed, who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?"

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
the Armies of israel » Called » The armies of the living God
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Circumcision » The jews » Despised as unclean those not of the
Jesse » Sons in saul's army
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 17:27 (show verse)

The people also told him the same thing, saying, "This is what will be done for the man who kills him."

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Jesse » Sons in saul's army
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 17:28 (show verse)

Eliab his oldest brother heard him talking to the men. Eliab was angry with David and said, "Why did you come down here? And who did you leave those few sheep with in the wilderness? I know your insolence and wicked intentions. You came down just to see the battle!"

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Contempt » For the righteous
Eliab » Son of jesse and eldest brother of david
Heart » The unregenerate » Is full of iniquity
Jesse » Sons in saul's army
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Sarcasm » Instances of » Eliab to david
Uncharitableness » Instances of » Eliab toward david, charging him with presumption, when he offered to fight goliath

1 Samuel 17:29 (show verse)

"What have I done now?" David asked. "It was just a question, wasn't it?"

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Meekness » Instances of » David

1 Samuel 17:30 (show verse)

Then he turned from him toward another person and asked the same thing. The people replied to him the same way as the first one had.

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 17:31 (show verse)

When the words that David had spoken were heard, they were reported to Saul, and he sent for him.

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 17:32 (show verse)

David told Saul, "Let no one's courage fail because of him; your servant will go fight this Philistine."

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Courage » Examples of » David
Courage » Instances of personal bravery » David, in killing goliath
Jews, the » Often distinguished in war
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 17:33 (show verse)

Saul told David, "You can't go against this Philistine and fight him. You are only a young man, but he has been a warrior since his youth."

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Courage » Instances of personal bravery » David, in killing goliath
Jews, the » Often distinguished in war
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Young men » Examples of Godly young men » David

1 Samuel 17:34 (show verse)

David told Saul, "Your servant has been a shepherd for his father. When a lion or bear came and took a lamb from the flock,

Animals » Names of » Bears
Animals » Lions » General references to
Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Bears » Attacks the flock in the presence of the shepherd
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Courage » Instances of personal bravery » David, in killing goliath
David » Israel's versatile king » Courageous
David » King of israel » Kills a lion and a bear
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Lambs » Exposed to danger from wild beasts
Lions » Killed by » David
Lions » Attacks the sheepfolds
Lions » General references to
Shepherd » David the, defends his flock against a lion and a bear
Shepherds » Care of the sheep by, exhibited in » Defending them when attacked by wild beasts

1 Samuel 17:35 (show verse)

I would go out after it, strike it down, and rescue the lamb from its mouth. Then when it rose up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it.

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Courage » Instances of personal bravery » David, in killing goliath
David » Israel's versatile king » Courageous
David » King of israel » Kills a lion and a bear
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Lions » Slain by » David
Shepherd » David the, defends his flock against a lion and a bear
Shepherds » Care of the sheep by, exhibited in » Defending them when attacked by wild beasts
Strength » Physical

1 Samuel 17:36 (show verse)

Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he defied the armies of the living God."

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Bears » Miraculously killed by david
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Courage » Instances of personal bravery » David, in killing goliath
David » Israel's versatile king » Courageous
David » King of israel » Kills a lion and a bear
Jews, the » Despised all strangers
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Lions » Killed by » David
Lions » Slain by » David
Shepherds » Care of the sheep by, exhibited in » Defending them when attacked by wild beasts

1 Samuel 17:37 (show verse)

David continued, "The LORD who delivered me from the power of the lion and the power of the bear will also deliver me from the power of this Philistine." Saul told David, "Go! And may the LORD be with you."

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Bears » Miraculously killed by david
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Courage » Instances of personal bravery » David, in killing goliath
Deliverance » Divine, example of » David
Faith » Instances of » David, in striking down goliath
Faith » Example of victorious » David
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 17:38 (show verse)

Saul put his garments on David, set a bronze helmet on his head, and put armor on him.

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Armour » Physical
military Arms » Defensive: » Helmet
military Arms » Defensive: » Coat of mail, breastplate, habergeon, or brigandine
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Courage » Instances of personal bravery » David, in killing goliath
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Trust » Of saints, is » Not in carnal weapons

1 Samuel 17:39 (show verse)

David strapped Saul's sword over his garments and tried to walk, but he was not used to the armor. David told Saul, "I can't walk in these because I'm not used to them," and then took them off.

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
military Arms » Before using » Tried and proved
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Courage » Instances of personal bravery » David, in killing goliath
Hindrances » To spiritual progress » The attempt to use the equipment of saul delayed david
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Swords » Suspended from the girdle
Trust » Of saints, is » Not in carnal weapons

1 Samuel 17:40 (show verse)

He took his staff in his hand and chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook and put them in the pouch in his shepherd's bag. He approached the Philistine with his sling in his hand.

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Brooks » Often ran over pebbles
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Courage » Instances of personal bravery » David, in killing goliath
David » Israel's versatile king » A champion
Heroic faith » Boy » David
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Philistines » David » Slew goliath the champion of
Power » Small things God uses » Five smooth stones
Shepherds » Usually carried a scrip or bag
Sling » David kills goliath with a
Weak » Instrumentalities » Five smooth stones

1 Samuel 17:41 (show verse)

With a man carrying his shield in front of him, the Philistine kept coming closer to David.

1 Samuel 17:42 (show verse)

When the Philistine looked and saw David, he had contempt for him, because he was only a young man. David had a dark, healthy complexion and was handsome.

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Courage » Instances of personal bravery » David, in killing goliath
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Philistines » David » Slew goliath the champion of
Saints » Death of » Despised
Sling » David kills goliath with a
Suffering for righteousness' sake » For Christ's sake some trials believers may be called upon to endure » Saints despised

1 Samuel 17:43 (show verse)

The Philistine asked David, "Am I a dog that you come at me with sticks?" Then the Philistine cursed David by his own gods and

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Courage » Instances of personal bravery » David, in killing goliath
Cursing » Examples of
Dog » Epithet of contempt
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Philistines » David » Slew goliath the champion of
Sling » David kills goliath with a
Trust » Of the wicked--exemplified

1 Samuel 17:44 (show verse)

told David, "Come to me! I'll give your flesh to the birds of the sky and to the beasts of the field."

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Courage » Instances of personal bravery » David, in killing goliath
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Philistines » David » Slew goliath the champion of
Sling » David kills goliath with a
Trust » Of the wicked--exemplified

1 Samuel 17:45 (show verse)

Then David told the Philistine, "You come at me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of the Heavenly Armies, the God of the armies of Israel whom you have defied.

Ancient heroes » Battle of Life » David
Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Battle of Life » Weapons and armour of the saints » General references to weapons
holy Boldness » Exemplified » David
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Courage » Instances of personal bravery » David, in killing goliath
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Philistines » David » Slew goliath the champion of
Protection » Of God, is » Often afforded through means inadequate in themselves
Sling » David kills goliath with a
Spiritual » Warfare characteristics of » Weapons
Trust » Of saints, is » Not in carnal weapons
Trust » Of saints--exemplified
Trust » Of the wicked--exemplified
Weapons » Spiritual » General references to weapons
Weapons » Spiritual » Trust in weapons vain
FALSE » Trusts » Trust in weapons vain

1 Samuel 17:46 (show verse)

This very day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I'll strike you down and remove your head from you. And this very day I'll give the dead bodies of the Philistine army to the birds of the sky and to the animals of the earth, so that all the earth will know that there is a God in Israel,

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Courage » Instances of personal bravery » David, in killing goliath
Faith » Instances of » David, in striking down goliath
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Philistines » David » Slew goliath the champion of
Sling » David kills goliath with a

1 Samuel 17:47 (show verse)

and this whole congregation will know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or spear. Indeed, the battle is the LORD's and he will give you into our hands."

1 Samuel 17:48 (show verse)

When the Philistine got up and came closer to meet David, David quickly ran to the battle line to meet the Philistine.

1 Samuel 17:49 (show verse)

David reached his hand into the bag, took out a stone, slung it, and struck the Philistine in his forehead. The stone sunk into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground.

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Courage » Instances of personal bravery » David, in killing goliath
Head » Parts of, mentioned » The forehead
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Philistines » David » Slew goliath the champion of
Giants » The last of, destroyed by david and his warriors
Sling » David kills goliath with a

1 Samuel 17:50 (show verse)

David defeated the Philistine with a sling and a stone; he struck down the Philistine and killed him, and there was no sword in David's hand.

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
military Arms » Offensive: » Sling
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Courage » Instances of personal bravery » David, in killing goliath
Example » Inspiration of example » David
Inspiration of example » David
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Philistines » David » Slew goliath the champion of
Protection » Of God, is » Often afforded through means inadequate in themselves
Giants » The last of, destroyed by david and his warriors
Sling » David kills goliath with a

1 Samuel 17:51 (show verse)

David ran and stood over the Philistine. He took the Philistine's sword, pulled it from its sheath, killed him, and then he cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Example » Inspiration of example » David
Head » Of enemies slain in war, often cut off
Inspiration of example » David
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 17:52 (show verse)

The men of Israel and Judah got up with a shout and pursued the Philistines as far as the entrance to the valley and to the gates of Ekron. Wounded Philistines fell along the way to Shaaraim as far as Gath and Ekron.

Armies » March in ranks » Champions fight instead of
Armies » March in ranks » Battle shouts
Championship » Instances of » Goliath and david
Example » Inspiration of example » David
Inspiration of example » David
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Philistines » Defeated by israel at ephes-dammim and pursued to ekron
Shaaraim » A city » A city in the territory of the tribe of judah, also called sharaim