King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 17:1 Mean?

1 Samuel 17:1 in the King James Version says “Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to ... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim. Ephesdammim: or, the coast of Dammim, called Pasdammim

1 Samuel 17:1 · KJV


Context

1

Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim. Ephesdammim: or, the coast of Dammim, called Pasdammim

2

And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines. set: Heb. ranged the battle

3

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.

The Philistine gathering for battle introduces the military crisis that would reveal David's faith. Shochoh and Azekah in the Shephelah (lowland hills) marked the contested boundary between Philistine coastal territory and Israelite highlands. The place name Ephes-dammim ('boundary of blood') ominously foreshadowed the coming confrontation. Israel's very existence as an independent nation was at stake in this struggle for territorial control.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Philistines, likely Aegean migrants who settled Canaan's coast around 1175 BCE, possessed iron technology giving military advantage. Their five city-states (Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, Ekron) regularly challenged Israelite expansion. The Valley of Elah provided strategic access from the coastal plain into Judah's heartland.

Reflection Questions

  1. What territorial or spiritual boundaries are currently contested in your life or community?
  2. How does understanding the historical stakes deepen your appreciation of David's courage?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיֵּאָ֣סְפ֔וּ1 of 16

and were gathered together

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

פְלִשְׁתִּ֤ים2 of 16

Now the Philistines

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

אֶת3 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מַֽחֲנֵיהֶם֙4 of 16

their armies

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

לַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה5 of 16

to battle

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

וַיֵּאָ֣סְפ֔וּ6 of 16

and were gathered together

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

שׂוֹכֹ֥ה7 of 16

at Shochoh

H7755

sokoh or soko, the name of two places in palestine

אֲשֶׁ֣ר8 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לִֽיהוּדָ֑ה9 of 16

which belongeth to Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וַֽיַּחֲנ֛וּ10 of 16

and pitched

H2583

properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch a tent; generally to encamp (for abode or s

בֵּין11 of 16
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

שׂוֹכֹ֥ה12 of 16

at Shochoh

H7755

sokoh or soko, the name of two places in palestine

וּבֵין13 of 16
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

עֲזֵקָ֖ה14 of 16

and Azekah

H5825

azekah, a place in palestine

בְּאֶ֥פֶס15 of 16
H0
דַּמִּֽים׃16 of 16

in Ephesdammim

H658

ephes-dammim, a place in palestine


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 17:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 17:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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