Thematic Bible

Themes in 1 Samuel 17

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Themes in 1 Samuel 17

1 Samuel 17:1 (show verse)

The Philistines gathered their troops for battle. They assembled at Socoh in Judah. They camped in Ephes Dammim, between Socoh and Azekah.

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 Israelite army assembled and camped in the valley of Elah, where they arranged their battle lines to fight against 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 one hill, and the Israelites on another hill, 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)

Then a champion came out from the camp of the Philistines. His name was Goliath; he was from Gath. He was close to seven feet 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)

He had a bronze helmet on his head and was wearing scale body armor. The weight of his bronze body armor was five thousand 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 shin guards on his legs, and a bronze javelin was slung over 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 six hundred shekels. His shield bearer was walking before 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

Goliath stood and called to Israel's troops, "Why do you come out to prepare for battle? Am I not the Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose for yourselves a man so he may come down to 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 is able to fight with me and strike me down, we will become your servants. But if I prevail against him and strike him down, you will become our servants and will 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)

Then the Philistine said, "I defy Israel's troops this day! Give me a man so we can fight each other!"

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 Israelites heard these words of the Philistine, they were upset and very afraid.

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)

Now David was the son of this Ephrathite named Jesse from Bethlehem in Judah. He had eight sons, and in Saul's days he was old and well advanced in years.

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)

Jesse's three oldest sons had followed Saul to war. The names of the three sons who went to war were Eliab, his firstborn, Abinadab, the second oldest, and Shammah, the third oldest.

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)

Now David was the youngest. While the three oldest sons 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)

David was going back and forth from Saul in order to care for 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)

Meanwhile for forty days the Philistine approached every morning and evening and took 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 said to his son David, "Take your brothers this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread; go quickly to the camp to your brothers.

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)

Also take these ten portions of cheese to their commanding officer. Find out how your brothers are doing and bring back their pledge that they received the goods.

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)

They are with Saul and the whole Israelite army 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)

So David got up early in the morning and entrusted the flock to someone else who would watch over it. After loading up, he went just as Jesse had instructed him. He arrived at the camp as the army was going out to the battle lines shouting its 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 drew up their battle lines opposite one another.

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)

After David had entrusted his cargo to the care of the supply officer, he ran to the battlefront. When he arrived, he asked his brothers how they were doing.

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 champion named Goliath, the Philistine from Gath, was coming up from the battle lines of the Philistines. He spoke the way he usually did, and David heard it.

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 men of Israel saw this man, they retreated from his presence and were very afraid.

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)

The men of Israel said, "Have you seen this man who is coming up? He does so to defy Israel. But the king will make the man who can strike him down very wealthy! He will give him his daughter in marriage, and he will make his father's house exempt from tax obligations 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 near him, "What will be done for the man who strikes down this Philistine and frees Israel from this humiliation? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he defies 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 soldiers told him what had been promised, saying, "This is what will be done for the man who can strike him down."

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)

When David's oldest brother Eliab heard him speaking to the men, he became angry with David and said, "Why have you come down here? To whom did you entrust those few sheep in the desert? I am familiar with your pride and deceit! You have come down here to watch 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)

David replied, "What have I done now? Can't I say anything?"

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 those who were nearby to someone else and asked the same question, but they gave him the same answer as before.

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 David's words were overheard and reported to Saul, he called 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 said to Saul, "Don't let anyone be discouraged. Your servant will go and 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)

But Saul replied to David, "You aren't able to go against this Philistine and fight him! You're just a boy! He has been a warrior from 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 replied to Saul, "Your servant has been a shepherd for his father's flock. Whenever a lion or bear would come and carry off a sheep 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 sheep from its mouth. If it rose up against me, I would grab it by its jaw, strike it, 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 the lion and the bear. This uncircumcised Philistine will be just like one of them. For he has 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 went on to say, "The Lord who delivered me from the lion and the bear will also deliver me from the hand of this Philistine!" Then Saul said to David, "Go! The Lord will 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)

Then Saul clothed David with his own fighting attire and put a bronze helmet on his head. He also put body 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 on his sword over his fighting attire and tried to walk around, but he was not used to them. David said to Saul, "I can't walk in these things, for I'm not used to them." So David removed them.

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, picked out five smooth stones from the stream, placed them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag, took his sling in hand, and approached the Philistine.

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)

The Philistine kept coming closer to David, with his shield bearer walking in front of him.

1 Samuel 17:42 (show verse)

When the Philistine looked carefully at David, he despised him, for he was only a ruddy and handsome boy.

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 said to David, "Am I a dog, that you are coming after me with sticks?" Then the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

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)

The Philistine said to David, "Come here to me, so I can give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the wild animals 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)

But David replied to the Philistine, "You are coming against me with sword and spear and javelin. But I am coming against you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel's armies, 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! I will strike you down and cut off your head. This day I will give the corpses of the Philistine army to the birds of the sky and the wild animals of the land. Then all the land will realize that Israel has a God

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 all this assembly will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves! For the battle is the Lord's, and he will deliver you into our hand."

1 Samuel 17:48 (show verse)

The Philistine drew steadily closer to David to attack him, while David quickly ran toward the battle line to attack the Philistine.

1 Samuel 17:49 (show verse)

David reached his hand into the bag and took out a stone. He slung it, striking the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank deeply into his forehead, and he fell down with 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 prevailed over the Philistine with just the sling and the stone. He struck down the Philistine and killed him. David did not even have a sword in his 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 grabbed Goliath's sword, drew it from its sheath, killed him, and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they ran away.

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)

Then the men of Israel and Judah charged forward, shouting a battle cry. They chased the Philistines to the valley and to the very gates of Ekron. The Philistine corpses lay fallen along the Shaaraim road to 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