Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” New Living Translation David’s brothers were with Saul and the Israelite army at the valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines. English Standard Version Now Saul and they and all the men of Israel were in the Valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. Berean Standard Bible They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” King James Bible Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. New King James Version Now Saul and they and all the men of Israel were in the Valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. New American Standard Bible For Saul and they and all the men of Israel are in the Valley of Elah, fighting the Philistines.” NASB 1995 “For Saul and they and all the men of Israel are in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.” NASB 1977 “For Saul and they and all the men of Israel are in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.” Legacy Standard Bible And Saul and they and all the men of Israel are in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.” Amplified Bible Now they are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.” Christian Standard Bible They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah fighting with the Philistines.” Holman Christian Standard Bible They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah fighting with the Philistines.” American Standard Version Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the vale of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. Contemporary English Version They're with Saul's army, fighting the Philistines in Elah Valley." English Revised Version Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the vale of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. GOD'S WORD® Translation They, along with Saul and all the soldiers of Israel, are in the Elah Valley fighting the Philistines." Good News Translation King Saul, your brothers, and all the other Israelites are in Elah Valley fighting the Philistines." International Standard Version Saul, your brothers, and all the men of Israel are in the valley of Elah fighting with the Philistines." NET Bible They are with Saul and the whole Israelite army in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines." New Heart English Bible Now Saul and they and all the men of Israel were in the Valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. Webster's Bible Translation Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThey are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” World English Bible Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, [are] in the Valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. Young's Literal Translation And Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel are in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. Smith's Literal Translation And Saul, and they, and every man of Israel, in the valley of Elah, warring with the rovers. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut Saul, and they, and all the children of Israel were in the valley of Terebinth fighting against the Philistines. Catholic Public Domain Version But they were in the valley of Terebinth, with Saul and all the sons of Israel, fighting against the Philistines. New American Bible Saul and your brothers, together with all Israel, are at war with the Philistines in the valley of the Elah.” New Revised Standard Version Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleNow Saul and all the men of Israel were in the valley of Terebinth fighting with the Philistines. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Shaul and all the men of Israel in the valley that is in Temtha were fighting with the Philistines OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, are in the vale of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.' Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context David Accepts the Challenge…18Take also these ten portions of cheese to the commander of their unit. Check on the welfare of your brothers and bring back an assurance from them. 19They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” 20So David got up early in the morning, left the flock with a keeper, loaded up, and set out as Jesse had instructed him. He reached the camp as the army was marching out to its position and shouting the battle cry.… Cross References 1 Samuel 16:14-23 Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a spirit of distress from the LORD began to torment him. / Saul’s servants said to him, “Surely a spirit of distress from God is tormenting you. / Let our lord command your servants here to seek out someone who can skillfully play the harp. Whenever the spirit of distress from God is upon you, he is to play it, and you will be well.” ... 1 Samuel 14:52 And the war with the Philistines was fierce for all the days of Saul. So whenever he noticed any strong or brave man, Saul would enlist him. 1 Samuel 13:5 Now the Philistines assembled to fight against Israel with three thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven. 1 Samuel 18:5-7 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. / As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other instruments. / And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 1 Samuel 8:19-20 Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us. / Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to judge us, to go out before us, and to fight our battles.” 1 Samuel 12:12 But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, ‘No, we must have a king to rule over us’—even though the LORD your God was your king. 1 Samuel 9:16 “At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you are to anoint him ruler over My people Israel; he will save them from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.” 1 Samuel 10:1 Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance? 1 Samuel 11:11 The next day Saul organized the troops into three divisions, and during the morning watch they invaded the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them, until the hottest part of the day. And the survivors were so scattered that no two of them were left together. 1 Samuel 15:1-3 Then Samuel said to Saul, “The LORD sent me to anoint you king over His people Israel. Now therefore, listen to the words of the LORD. / This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘I witnessed what the Amalekites did to the Israelites when they opposed them on their way up from Egypt. / Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’” 2 Samuel 21:15-17 Once again the Philistines waged war against Israel, and David and his servants went down and fought against the Philistines. But David became exhausted. / Then Ishbi-benob, a descendant of Rapha, whose bronze spear weighed three hundred shekels and who was bearing a new sword, resolved to kill David. / But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to his aid, struck the Philistine, and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, “You must never again go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel may not be extinguished.” 2 Samuel 5:17-25 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they all went in search of him; but David learned of this and went down to the stronghold. / Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. / So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go up,” replied the LORD, “for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.” ... 2 Samuel 8:1-14 Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah from the hand of the Philistines. / David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute. / David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, who had marched out to restore his dominion along the Euphrates River. ... 2 Samuel 10:6-19 When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth-rehob and Zoba, as well as a thousand men from the king of Maacah and twelve thousand men from Tob. / On hearing this, David sent Joab and the entire army of mighty men. / The Ammonites marched out and arrayed themselves for battle at the entrance of the city gate, while the Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the open country. ... 2 Kings 3:21-27 Now all the Moabites had heard that the kings had come up to fight against them. So all who could bear arms, young and old, were summoned and stationed at the border. / When they got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water, and it looked as red as blood to the Moabites across the way. / “This is blood!” they exclaimed. “The kings have clashed swords and slaughtered one another. Now to the plunder, Moab!” ... Treasury of Scripture Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. the valley Dr. Jump to Previous Elah Israel Philistines Saul Terebinths Vale ValleyJump to Next Elah Israel Philistines Saul Terebinths Vale Valley1 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 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel This phrase situates the narrative within the larger context of Israel's ongoing struggle against the Philistines, a recurring enemy throughout the books of Samuel. Saul, the first king of Israel, is leading the Israelite army. This highlights the central role of Saul as a military leader, though his leadership is increasingly questioned due to his disobedience to God (1 Samuel 15:26). The presence of "all the men of Israel" underscores the national significance of this conflict, as the entire nation is represented in this battle. This gathering of Israel's forces can be seen as a fulfillment of the people's desire for a king to lead them in battle, as expressed in 1 Samuel 8:20. in the Valley of Elah fighting against the Philistines. Persons / Places / Events 1. SaulThe first king of Israel, chosen by God but later rejected due to disobedience. He is leading the Israelite army against the Philistines. 2. The Men of Israel The soldiers of Israel who are under King Saul's command, engaged in battle against their long-time enemies, the Philistines. 3. The Valley of Elah A significant geographical location where the battle between the Israelites and the Philistines takes place. It is a valley in the territory of Judah. 4. The Philistines A formidable enemy of Israel, often in conflict with them throughout the Old Testament. They are known for their military strength and opposition to God's people. 5. David Although not mentioned in this specific verse, David is a central figure in this chapter. He is sent by his father to bring provisions to his brothers and ends up facing Goliath. Teaching Points Trust in God's SovereigntyDespite the intimidating presence of the Philistines, believers are reminded to trust in God's control over all circumstances. Courage in the Face of Adversity Like the Israelites facing the Philistines, Christians are called to stand firm in faith when confronted with challenges. The Importance of Leadership Saul's role as king highlights the impact of leadership on the morale and direction of God's people. Spiritual Warfare The physical battle in the Valley of Elah serves as a metaphor for the spiritual battles believers face, emphasizing the need for reliance on God's strength. God's Faithfulness The account encourages believers to remember God's past faithfulness as a source of confidence in present struggles. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 17:19?2. How does 1 Samuel 17:19 illustrate obedience to authority in our lives today? 3. What can we learn from Jesse's actions in 1 Samuel 17:19? 4. How does 1 Samuel 17:19 connect to Ephesians 6:1 about honoring parents? 5. How can we apply David's readiness to serve in our daily tasks? 6. What does 1 Samuel 17:19 teach about supporting those on the spiritual frontlines? 7. How does 1 Samuel 17:19 fit into the historical context of the Israelite-Philistine conflict? 8. What archaeological evidence supports the events described in 1 Samuel 17:19? 9. How does 1 Samuel 17:19 reflect the leadership qualities of Saul and David? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 17? 11. Is there historical or archeological evidence supporting the events described in 1 Samuel 19, particularly David's escape from Saul? 12. Did David or Elhanan kill Goliath? 13. Why does 1 Samuel 13:3-4 give conflicting impressions of who actually attacked the Philistine garrison, Jonathan or Saul? 14. What are the five smooth stones in the story? What Does 1 Samuel 17:19 Mean They are• The pronoun points back to David’s three eldest brothers—Eliab, Abinadab, and Shammah—who had followed Saul to the battlefield (1 Samuel 17:13). • For David, the information is personal: the brothers he once watched shepherd with him are now soldiers in a real war (cf. 1 Samuel 16:6–11; 17:28). • It also signals that the verse is narrowing Jesse’s concern from the whole army to specific family members, underscoring the covenant responsibility of caring for one’s own (Genesis 14:14; 1 Timothy 5:8). with Saul • To be “with Saul” places the brothers under the direct command of Israel’s first king, the man anointed to deliver Israel from its enemies (1 Samuel 9:16; 11:6–11). • Saul’s presence should reassure Israel of victory, yet earlier chapters reveal his faltering faith (1 Samuel 15:24–26; 17:11). Jesse’s report hints at the tension between the king’s calling and his current fear. • The phrase reminds us that battles are fought under leadership—good or bad—and that God still works even through imperfect leaders (Romans 13:1; Daniel 2:21). and all the men of Israel • The entire fighting force has been mustered; this is a national crisis, not a skirmish (1 Samuel 8:20; 14:52). • Corporate language emphasizes covenant solidarity: victory or defeat will affect every tribe (Judges 20:1; 1 Samuel 7:5-8). • It sets the stage for David’s later words, “the battle belongs to the LORD” (1 Samuel 17:47), because when all Israel is present, God’s honor is publicly at stake (Joshua 4:24). in the Valley of Elah • A real, identifiable location about fifteen miles southwest of Bethlehem (Joshua 15:33). The Bible places events in verifiable geography, underscoring its historical reliability. • The valley forms a natural corridor toward the Judean hills; whoever controls it gains access to the heartland. Military strategy, not mere coincidence, has brought both armies here (1 Samuel 17:1-3). • Later, David will retrieve Goliath’s sword from Nob, and the priest will recall this very battlefield (1 Samuel 21:9), linking God’s past faithfulness to future needs. fighting • “Fighting” implies active engagement, yet the narrative reveals a stalemate: forty days of taunts from Goliath with no forward motion (1 Samuel 17:16). • Scripture often uses battle scenes to expose spiritual realities; here the word prepares us for a contest that will be won by faith, not armor (2 Chronicles 20:15; Ephesians 6:10-17). • The verb highlights that Israel’s soldiers are not spectators—tension is mounting, and God is about to intervene through an unexpected agent. against the Philistines • The Philistines are long-standing enemies, repeatedly threatening Israel’s covenant land (Judges 13:1; 1 Samuel 7:13; 14:52). • Their challenge at Elah continues a pattern: every time Israel’s faith wanes, Philistine pressure intensifies, driving the nation back to dependence on the LORD (Psalm 34:19). • By naming the foe, the verse reminds us that God’s people face identifiable adversaries; deliverance is never abstract but concrete, just as Goliath will be a literal giant felled by a literal stone (1 Samuel 17:49-50). summary 1 Samuel 17:19 situates David’s brothers, King Saul, and the entire army at a critical geographic and spiritual juncture. The Valley of Elah is the stage; Saul is the earthly leader; the Philistines are the tangible threat. Yet the verse quietly sets up the revelation that victory will not come from numbers or armor but from trust in the LORD. In a single sentence, Scripture reminds us that God works through real people, real places, and real conflicts to display His faithfulness and power. (19) In the valley of Elan, fighting with the Philistines.--The words of this verse, which read in the English Version as an explanatory parenthesis, are really part of Jesse's direction to his shepherd son, telling him where he would find his brethren. "They are in the valley of the Terebinth (Elah), fighting with the Philistines."Hebrew Theyוְהֵ֙מָּה֙ (wə·hêm·māh) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine plural Strong's 1992: They are with Saul וְשָׁא֤וּל (wə·šā·’ūl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites and all וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the men אִ֣ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 582: Man, mankind of Israel יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc in the Valley of Elah, הָֽאֵלָ֑ה (hā·’ê·lāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 425: Elah -- 'terebinth', an Israelite name, also an Edomite name fighting נִלְחָמִ֖ים (nil·ḥā·mîm) Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 3898: To feed on, to consume, to battle against עִם־ (‘im-) Preposition Strong's 5973: With, equally with the Philistines.” פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃ (pə·liš·tîm) Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia Links 1 Samuel 17:19 NIV1 Samuel 17:19 NLT 1 Samuel 17:19 ESV 1 Samuel 17:19 NASB 1 Samuel 17:19 KJV 1 Samuel 17:19 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 17:19 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 17:19 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 17:19 French Bible 1 Samuel 17:19 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 17:19 Now Saul and they and all (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |