1 Samuel 17:13
New International Version
Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah.

New Living Translation
Jesse’s three oldest sons—Eliab, Abinadab, and Shimea—had already joined Saul’s army to fight the Philistines.

English Standard Version
The three oldest sons of Jesse had followed Saul to the battle. And the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.

Berean Standard Bible
The three older sons of Jesse had followed Saul into battle: The firstborn was Eliab, the second was Abinadab, and the third was Shammah.

King James Bible
And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.

New King James Version
The three oldest sons of Jesse had gone to follow Saul to the battle. The names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.

New American Standard Bible
The three older sons of Jesse had followed Saul to the battle. And the names of his three sons who had gone into the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and second to him, Abinadab, and the third, Shammah.

NASB 1995
The three older sons of Jesse had gone after Saul to the battle. And the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and the second to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.

NASB 1977
And the three older sons of Jesse had gone after Saul to the battle. And the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the first-born, and the second to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the three older sons of Jesse had gone. They had gone after Saul to the battle. And the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and the second to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.

Amplified Bible
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.

Christian Standard Bible
Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war, and their names were Eliab, the firstborn, Abinadab, the next, and Shammah, the third,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war, and their names were Eliab, the firstborn, Abinadab, the next, and Shammah, the third,

American Standard Version
And the three eldest sons of Jesse had gone after Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the first-born, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.

English Revised Version
And the three eldest sons of Jesse had gone after Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jesse's three oldest sons joined Saul's army for the battle. The firstborn was Eliab, the second was Abinadab, the third was Shammah,

Good News Translation
His three oldest sons had gone with Saul to war. The oldest was Eliab, the next was Abinadab, and the third was Shammah.

International Standard Version
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.

Majority Standard Bible
The three older sons of Jesse had followed Saul into battle: The firstborn was Eliab, the second was Abinadab, and the third was Shammah.

NET Bible
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.

New Heart English Bible
The three eldest sons of Jesse had gone after Saul to the battle. And the names of his sons who went to the battle were Eliab, the firstborn, and Abinadab, the second, and Shimeah, the third.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the first-born, and next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.

World English Bible
The three oldest sons of Jesse had gone after Saul to the battle; and the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the three eldest sons of Jesse go, they have gone after Saul to battle; and the name of his three sons who have gone into battle [are] Eliab the firstborn, and his second Abinadab, and the third Shammah.

Young's Literal Translation
and the three eldest sons of Jesse go, they have gone after Saul to battle; and the name of his three sons who have gone into battle are Eliab the first-born, and his second Abinadab, and the third Shammah.

Smith's Literal Translation
And three sons of Jesse, the great ones, going, went after Saul to war: and the names of his three sons which went in the war, Eliab the first-born and his second, Abinadab, and the third, Shammah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And 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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now his three eldest sons followed Saul into battle. And the names of his three sons, who went to the battle, were Eliab, the firstborn, and the second, Abinadab, and the third Shammah.

New American Bible
The three oldest sons of Jesse had followed Saul to war; the names of these three sons who had gone off to war were Eliab the firstborn; Abinadab the second; and Shammah the third.

New Revised Standard Version
The three eldest sons of Jesse had followed Saul to the battle; the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the three older sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle; and their names were Eliab the first-born, and next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the three older sons of Iyshay went after Shaul to battle, and their names: “Elyab the firstborn, his second Abinadab and the third, Shama
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the three eldest sons of Jesse had gone after Saul to the battle; and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the first-born, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Accepts the Challenge
12Now David was the son of a man named Jesse, an Ephrathite from Bethlehem of Judah who had eight sons in the days of Saul. And Jesse was old and well along in years. 13 The three older sons of Jesse had followed Saul into battle: The firstborn was Eliab, the second was Abinadab, and the third was Shammah. 14And David was the youngest. The three oldest had followed Saul,…

Cross References
1 Samuel 16:10-11
Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel told him, “The LORD has not chosen any of these.” / And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”

1 Samuel 14:49
Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua. His two daughters were named Merab (his firstborn) and Michal (his younger daughter).

1 Chronicles 2:13-15
Jesse was the father of Eliab his firstborn; Abinadab was born second, Shimea third, / Nethanel fourth, Raddai fifth, / Ozem sixth, and David seventh.

1 Samuel 16:6-7
When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, “Surely here before the LORD is His anointed.” / But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”

1 Samuel 9:2
And he had a son named Saul, choice and handsome, without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the people.

1 Samuel 10:23-24
So they ran and brought Saul, and when he stood among the people, he was a head taller than any of the others. / Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!”

1 Samuel 18:17
Then Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage. Only be valiant for me and fight the LORD’s battles.” But Saul was thinking, “I need not raise my hand against him; let the hand of the Philistines be against him.”

1 Samuel 18:27
David and his men went out and killed two hundred Philistines. He brought their foreskins and presented them as payment in full to become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave his daughter Michal to David in marriage.

1 Samuel 20:31
For as long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Now send for him and bring him to me, for he must surely die!”

1 Samuel 22:7
Then Saul said to his servants, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Is the son of Jesse giving all of you fields and vineyards and making you commanders of thousands or hundreds?

1 Samuel 25:44
But Saul had given his daughter Michal, David’s wife, to Palti son of Laish, who was from Gallim.

2 Samuel 2:8-9
Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, moved him to Mahanaim, / and made him king over Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin—over all Israel.

2 Samuel 3:1
Now the war between the house of Saul and the house of David was protracted. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.

2 Samuel 5:4-5
David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. / In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.

2 Samuel 6:20-23
When David returned home to bless his own household, Saul’s daughter Michal came out to meet him. “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today!” she said. “He has uncovered himself today in the sight of the maidservants of his subjects, like a vulgar person would do.” / But David said to Michal, “I was dancing before the LORD, who chose me over your father and all his house when He appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel. I will celebrate before the LORD, / and I will humiliate and humble myself even more than this. Yet I will be honored by the maidservants of whom you have spoken.” ...


Treasury of Scripture

And the three oldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.

the names

1 Samuel 17:28
And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.

1 Samuel 16:6-8
And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed is before him…

1 Chronicles 2:13
And Jesse begat his firstborn Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimma the third,

Shammah

2 Samuel 13:3,32
But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man…

2 Samuel 21:21
And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew him.

Shimeah

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Abinadab Abin'adab Battle Eldest Eliab Eli'ab Jesse Jesse's Names Older Oldest Saul Second Shammah Third Three War
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Abinadab Abin'adab Battle Eldest Eliab Eli'ab Jesse Jesse's Names Older Oldest Saul Second Shammah Third Three War
1 Samuel 17
1. The armies of the Israelites and Philistines being ready to battle
4. Goliath challenges a combat
12. David, sent by his father to visit his brothers, takes the challenge
28. Eliab chides him
30. He is brought to Saul
32. shows the reason of his confidence
38. and slays the giant
55. Saul takes notice of David














The three older sons of Jesse
This phrase introduces us to the eldest sons of Jesse, the father of David. In the Hebrew context, the firstborn son traditionally held a place of prominence and responsibility within the family. The mention of these three sons highlights the natural expectation that they would be the ones to represent their family in battle, given their age and experience. This sets the stage for the surprising role that David, the youngest, will play later in the narrative.

had followed Saul into battle
The phrase indicates loyalty and duty, as Saul was the anointed king of Israel at the time. The Hebrew root for "followed" suggests a sense of allegiance and commitment. This context underscores the seriousness of the conflict with the Philistines and the expectation that all able men, especially those of fighting age, would join the king in defense of the nation. It also reflects the societal structure where the king led his people into battle, and the people, in turn, supported their leader.

The firstborn was Eliab
Eliab, as the firstborn, would have been expected to inherit leadership within the family after Jesse. His mention here is significant because, despite his status, he is not chosen by God to be king, as seen earlier in 1 Samuel 16. This highlights a recurring biblical theme where God often chooses the unlikely or the overlooked to fulfill His purposes, emphasizing divine selection over human expectation.

the second was Abinadab
Abinadab, the second son, follows Eliab in the line of succession. His inclusion in the narrative serves to reinforce the idea of a natural order within the family. However, like Eliab, Abinadab is not chosen for the significant role that David will play. This further illustrates the biblical principle that God's plans and purposes transcend human hierarchies and expectations.

and the third was Shammah
Shammah, the third son, completes the trio of Jesse's eldest sons who are present at the battle. His mention, along with his brothers, sets up a contrast with David, who is not initially seen as a warrior or leader. The narrative tension builds as these three sons, despite their readiness and proximity to the king, do not achieve the victory that David will later secure. This serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the unexpected ways He accomplishes His will.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The three
שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת (šə·lō·šeṯ)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

older
הַגְּדֹלִ֔ים (hag·gə·ḏō·lîm)
Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

sons
בְּנֵֽי־ (bə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Jesse
יִשַׁי֙ (yi·šay)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3448: Jesse -- father of David

had followed
וַיֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ (way·yê·lə·ḵū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

Saul
שָׁא֖וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

to the war:
לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה (lam·mil·ḥā·māh)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4421: A battle, war

The firstborn
הַבְּכ֗וֹר (hab·bə·ḵō·wr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1060: Firstborn, chief

[was] Eliab,
אֱלִיאָ֣ב (’ĕ·lî·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 446: Eliab -- 'God is father', the name of several Israelites

the second
וּמִשְׁנֵ֙הוּ֙ (ū·miš·nê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4932: A repetition, a duplicate, a double, a second

[was] Abinadab,
אֲבִ֣ינָדָ֔ב (’ă·ḇî·nā·ḏāḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 41: Abinadab -- 'my father is noble', three Israelites

and the third
וְהַשְּׁלִשִׁ֖י (wə·haš·šə·li·šî)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 7992: Third, feminine a, third, a third, a third-story cell)

[was] Shammah.
שַׁמָּֽה׃ (šam·māh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8048: Shammah -- an Edomite, also several Israelites


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OT History: 1 Samuel 17:13 The three eldest sons of Jesse had (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
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