Thematic Bible

Themes in 1 Samuel 17

AMP

Themes in 1 Samuel 17

1 Samuel 17:1 (show verse)

Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle and 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 men of Israel were gathered together and they camped in the Valley of Elah, and assembled in battle formation 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 mountain on one side and Israel was standing on the mountain 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)

Then a champion came out from the camp of the Philistines named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.

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 wore a coat of scale-armor (overlapping metal plates) which weighed 5,000 shekels of bronze.

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 protectors on his legs and a bronze javelin hung 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 [wooden] shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam; the blade-head of his spear weighed six hundred shekels of iron. And a shield-bearer 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

Goliath stood and shouted to the battle lines of Israel, saying to them, “Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am I not the Philistine and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves and have him 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 kill me, then we will become your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall 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)

Again the Philistine said, “I defy the battle lines of Israel this day; give me a man so that we may 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 Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly 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 the Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, named Jesse, who had eight sons. Jesse was old in the days of Saul, advanced in years among men.

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)

His three older sons had followed Saul into battle. The names of his three sons who went to battle were Eliab, the firstborn; next, Abinadab; and third, Shammah.

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. Now the three oldest 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)

but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s flock at 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)

The Philistine [Goliath] came out morning and evening, and took his stand for forty days.

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)

Then Jesse said to David his son, “Take for your brothers an ephah of this roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread and run 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 cuts of cheese to the commander of the unit. See how your brothers are doing and bring back news of 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)

Now they are with Saul and all the men of Israel 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, left the flock with a keeper, picked up the provisions and went just as Jesse had directed him. And he came to the encampment as the army was going out in battle formation 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 drew up in battle formation, army against army.

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)

Then David left his provisions in the care of the supply keeper, and ran to the ranks and came and greeted his brothers.

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 talking with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine of Gath named Goliath, was coming up from the army of the Philistines, and he spoke these same words again; and David heard 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 17:24 (show verse)

When the men of Israel all 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)

The men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who is coming up? Surely he is coming up to defy Israel. The king will reward the man who kills him with great riches, and will give him his daughter [in marriage] and make his father’s house (family) free [from taxes and service] 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)

Then David spoke to the men who were standing by him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes the disgrace [of his taunting] from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he has taunted and defied 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 men told him, “That 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)

Now Eliab his oldest brother heard what he said to the men; and Eliab’s anger burned against David and he said, “Why have you come down here? With whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption (overconfidence) and the evil of your heart; for you have come down in order 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)

But David said, “What have I done now? Was it not just a [harmless] question?”

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 David turned away from Eliab to someone else and asked the same question; and the people gave him the same answer as the first time.

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 spoke were heard, the men reported them 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 said to Saul, “Let no man’s courage fail because of him (Goliath). Your servant will go out and fight with 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)

Then Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight him. For you are [only] a young man and 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)

But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of 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 went out after it and attacked it and rescued the lamb from its mouth; and when it rose up against me, I seized it by its whiskers and struck and killed 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 killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted and 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 said, “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to 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)

Then Saul dressed David in his garments and put a bronze helmet on his head, and put a coat of mail (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)

Then David fastened his sword over his armor and tried to walk, [but he could not,] because he was not used to them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, because I am not used to them.” So David 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)

Then he took his [shepherd’s] staff in his hand and chose for himself five smooth stones out of the stream bed, and put them in his shepherd’s bag which he had, that is, in his shepherd’s pouch. With his sling in his hand, he 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 came and approached David, with his shield-bearer in front of him.

1 Samuel 17:42 (show verse)

When the Philistine looked around and saw David, he derided and disparaged him because he was [just] a young man, with a ruddy complexion, and a handsome appearance.

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 come to me with [shepherd’s] staffs?” And 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 also said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and 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 said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted.

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 day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the corpses of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, so that all the earth may 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 that this entire assembly may know that the Lord does not save with the sword or with the spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and He will hand you over to us.”

1 Samuel 17:48 (show verse)

When the Philistine rose and came forward to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.

1 Samuel 17:49 (show verse)

David put his hand into his bag and took out a stone and slung it, and it struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone penetrated his forehead, and he fell face down on 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)

So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck down the Philistine and killed him; but 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)

So he ran and stood over the Philistine, grasped 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 [mighty] 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 stood with a shout and pursued the Philistines as far as the entrance to the valley and the gates of Ekron. And the [fatally] wounded Philistines fell along the way to Shaaraim, even 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