Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. New Living Translation but David went back and forth so he could help his father with the sheep in Bethlehem. English Standard Version but David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. Berean Standard Bible but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep in Bethlehem. King James Bible But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem. New King James Version But David occasionally went and returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. New American Standard Bible but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s flock at Bethlehem. NASB 1995 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s flock at Bethlehem. NASB 1977 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s flock at Bethlehem. Legacy Standard Bible but David went back and forth from Saul to shepherd his father’s flock at Bethlehem. Amplified Bible but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s flock at Bethlehem. Christian Standard Bible but David kept going back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s flock in Bethlehem. Holman Christian Standard Bible but David kept going back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s flock in Bethlehem. American Standard Version Now David went to and fro from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Beth-lehem. Contemporary English Version He took care of his father's sheep, and he went back and forth between Bethlehem and Saul's camp. English Revised Version Now David went to and fro from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Beth-lehem. GOD'S WORD® Translation David went back and forth from Saul's camp to Bethlehem, where he tended his father's flock. Good News Translation David would go back to Bethlehem from time to time, to take care of his father's sheep. International Standard Version And David would go back and forth from Saul to tend his father's sheep in Bethlehem. Majority Standard Bible but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father?s sheep in Bethlehem. NET Bible David was going back and forth from Saul in order to care for his father's sheep in Bethlehem. New Heart English Bible Now David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem. Webster's Bible Translation But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Beth-lehem. World English Bible Now David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand David is going and returning from Saul, to feed the flock of his father at Beth-Lehem. Young's Literal Translation and David is going and returning from Saul, to feed the flock of his father at Beth-Lehem. Smith's Literal Translation And David went and turned back from Saul to feed his father's sheep at the House of Bread. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleDavid went, and returned from Saul, to feed his father's flock at Bethlehem. Catholic Public Domain Version David went away from Saul, and he returned, so that he might pasture the flock of his father at Bethlehem. New American Bible David would come and go from Saul’s presence to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. New Revised Standard Version but David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleNow David had returned from Saul, and was gone to tend his father's sheep at Beth-lehem. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And David returned from the presence of Shaul, and he went on feeding the sheep of his father in Bayth Lekhem OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Now David went to and fro from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Beth-lehem.-- Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context David Accepts the Challenge…14And David was the youngest. The three oldest had followed Saul, 15but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep in Bethlehem. 16For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening to take his stand.… Cross References 1 Samuel 16:11 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 16:19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” 1 Samuel 16:21-23 When David came to Saul and entered his service, Saul loved him very much, and David became his armor-bearer. / Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.” / And whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would pick up his harp and play. Then Saul would find relief and feel better, and the spirit of distress would depart from him. 1 Samuel 18:2 And from that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house. 1 Samuel 18:5 So David marched out and prospered in everything Saul sent him to do, and Saul set him over the men of war. And this was pleasing in the sight of all the people, and of Saul’s officers as well. 1 Samuel 18:12-14 So Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. / Therefore Saul sent David away and gave him command of a thousand men. David led the troops out to battle and back, / and he continued to prosper in all his ways, because the LORD was with him. 1 Samuel 20:6 If your father misses me at all, tell him, ‘David urgently requested my permission to hurry to Bethlehem, his hometown, because there is an annual sacrifice for his whole clan.’ 1 Samuel 20:28-29 Jonathan answered, “David urgently requested my permission to go to Bethlehem, / saying, ‘Please let me go, because our clan is holding a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has told me to be there. So now, if I have found favor in your eyes, please let me go and see my brothers.’ That is why he has not come to the king’s table.” 2 Samuel 7:8 Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My people Israel. Psalm 78:70-72 He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds; / from tending the ewes He brought him to be shepherd of His people Jacob, of Israel His inheritance. / So David shepherded them with integrity of heart and guided them with skillful hands. Psalm 89:20 I have found My servant David; with My sacred oil I have anointed him. Matthew 13:55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t His mother’s name Mary, and aren’t His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Luke 2:4 So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David. Luke 2:51 Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart. John 7:42 Doesn’t the Scripture say that the Christ will come from the line of David and from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” Treasury of Scripture But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem. returned 1 Samuel 16:11,19-23 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither… Jump to Previous Bethlehem Beth-Lehem David Returning Saul Sheep TendJump to Next Bethlehem Beth-Lehem David Returning Saul Sheep Tend1 Samuel 17 1. The armies of the Israelites and Philistines being ready to battle4. 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 but David went back and forth from Saul David's role at this time was dual in nature. He served King Saul as a musician to soothe the king's troubled spirit (1 Samuel 16:21-23) and also fulfilled his responsibilities at home. This movement between Saul's court and his father's house highlights David's humility and obedience, as he balanced royal service with familial duties. It also foreshadows his future as a leader who would bridge the gap between the divine and the mundane. The phrase "went back and forth" suggests a period of transition and preparation for David, who would later become Israel's greatest king. to tend his father’s sheep in Bethlehem Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe youngest son of Jesse, anointed by Samuel to be the future king of Israel. At this point, he is serving both as a shepherd and as a musician in King Saul's court. 2. Saul The first king of Israel, who is troubled by an evil spirit and finds relief in David's music. He is unaware of David's future role as king. 3. Jesse David's father, who lives in Bethlehem. He is a significant figure in David's life, providing him with responsibilities and guidance. 4. Bethlehem A small town in Judah, known as the birthplace of David and later, Jesus Christ. It holds significant prophetic importance in the Bible. 5. Sheep Representing David's humble beginnings and his faithfulness in small tasks, which prepares him for greater responsibilities. Teaching Points Faithfulness in Small ThingsDavid's commitment to tending his father's sheep, despite his role in Saul's court, teaches us the importance of being faithful in small responsibilities. God often uses these experiences to prepare us for greater tasks. Balancing Multiple Roles David's ability to serve both Saul and his family demonstrates the importance of balancing different roles and responsibilities in our lives. We should seek God's wisdom in managing our time and duties effectively. God's Preparation and Timing David's journey from shepherd to king illustrates how God prepares us for His purposes in His perfect timing. We must trust in His plan and be patient as He works in our lives. Humility and Service Despite his anointing, David humbly returns to his duties as a shepherd. This teaches us the value of humility and serving others, regardless of our status or future potential.(15) Returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep.--This short statement was, no doubt, introduced by the compiler of the First Book of Samuel to show that, in spite of this apparent introduction of David into the history for the first time in this chapter (see 1Samuel 17:12 and following verses), and the inquiry of King Saul from Abner respecting the young hero's father (see 1Samuel 17:55-58), he, the compiler, was perfectly aware that David had already visited the court of Saul in the capacity of a musician (see 1Samuel 16:18-23). As has been already suggested, these historical books of the Old Testament are, no doubt, made up from contemporaneous documents, stored up most probably in one or other of the prophetic schools. It is, therefore, to be expected that certain facts will be found occasionally repeated. The circumstances connected with the healing influence of the music of David in the case of the soul malady of King Saul were of course preserved with great care and detail in these "schools," where music and poetry were so highly cultivated and esteemed. We have here many of the very words of the original narrative preserved to us. Similarly the story of the first exploit of David is incorporated in the history probably unchanged. Each of these ancient and favourite "memories" of David, as being complete in themselves, would of course contain some of the same details. The apparent ignorance of Saul and Abner respecting the young shepherd's family will be discussed in the note on 1Samuel 17:55-58. Verse 15. - David went and returned from Saul. This is a very important statement, as it shows that the writer, in spite of what is said in vers. 55-58, knew that David had visited Saul at his court, and become personally known to him. Apparently it had been but a short visit, possibly because after the fit of melancholy had passed away there was no return of it for the present; and if David had been back at Bethlehem for two or three years, a young man changes so much in appearance at David's time of life that it is no wonder that neither Saul nor Abner recognised him in his shepherd's dress. For some reason, then, or other David had not remained with Saul at Gibeah, but had resumed his pastoral life at Bethlehem, and the statements made in 1 Samuel 16:21-23 belong to the time immediately after the combat with Goliath, and not before.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew but Davidוְדָוִ֛ד (wə·ḏā·wiḏ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse went back and forth הֹלֵ֥ךְ (hō·lêḵ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk from מֵעַ֣ל (mê·‘al) Preposition-m Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against Saul שָׁא֑וּל (šā·’ūl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites to tend לִרְע֛וֹת (lir·‘ō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 7462: To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with his father’s אָבִ֖יו (’ā·ḇîw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1: Father sheep צֹ֥אן (ṣōn) Noun - common singular construct Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock in Bethlehem. לָֽחֶם׃ (lā·ḥem) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 1035: Bethlehem -- 'place of bread', a city in Judah, also a city in Zebulun Links 1 Samuel 17:15 NIV1 Samuel 17:15 NLT 1 Samuel 17:15 ESV 1 Samuel 17:15 NASB 1 Samuel 17:15 KJV 1 Samuel 17:15 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 17:15 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 17:15 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 17:15 French Bible 1 Samuel 17:15 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 17:15 Now David went back and forth (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
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