1 Samuel 17:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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.

NIV: Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah.

NASB: 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.

CSB: 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,

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

KJV: 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.

NKJV: 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.

During a narrative about Philistines challenging Israel to champion warfare, David and his family are re-introduced to the reader (1 Samuel 16). This battle is crucial in David's role as king. The imagery also alludes to the future Messiah, who is from David's line (Genesis 3:15; 2 Samuel 7:12–17; Revelation 20:2, 7–15). It makes sense that this narrative be able to stand alone; thus, David would need to be introduced. This re-introduction also reminds readers of what occurred previously. It's also possible that the earlier description of David in Saul's service (1 Samuel 16:21) includes what happened with Goliath, saving details for later.

The prophet Samuel was sent to Jesse's home to anoint the new king of Israel. Though Samuel thought the eldest would be the anointed, he was not God's chosen. Neither were the other six brothers. Instead, it was the youngest son, who was out in the fields with the sheep, who was God's chosen (1 Samuel 16:1–13).

Here we see that Jesse's three oldest sons are at the battle. It would have been expected that men of fighting age would join the army of Israel during times of war. This is likely why Jesse is described as being older in the previous verse, to explain why he stayed home (1 Samuel 17:12).

Eliab, Abinadab, and Shammah do not answer Goliath's threat. Neither does the sitting king, Saul. Confident in God, David does (1 Samuel 17:31–32). This account demonstrates that David is, indeed, anointed by God and willing to act in faith.

First Samuel 17:12–23 re-introduces David (1 Samuel 16:11–13), who travels between shepherding and playing music for King Saul. This chapter seems to add detail to the earlier description of David in Saul's service (1 Samuel 16:18–21). David's father sends the young man on an errand to his three oldest brothers, camped with the rest of Israel's army in a faceoff with the Philistines. While there, David hears one of the daily challenges from Goliath, the enormous Philistine champion.

David, delivering food to his brothers at the Israelite army camp, hears the Philistine Goliath's defiant challenge. Single man combat could decide the battle, but no Israelite wanted to face the massive warrior. David is appalled that a Philistine would defy the armies of the living God. He volunteers to fight, and King Saul agrees. Before the battle, David declares that the Lord will give victory and thereby show the world that there is a God in Israel. David quickly kills and beheads Goliath. The Israelites chase the Philistines back to their own territory and plunder their camp. David brings Goliath's head to Saul.

Saul was made king of Israel (1 Samuel 9—10) and had many early successes (1 Samuel 11—14). However, his disobedience resulted in God's plan for a different king (1 Samuel 15). The prophet Samuel anointed David as this future monarch (1 Samuel 16:11–13). David has been serving as a musician for Saul (1 Samuel 16:18–21) and comes visit his brothers during a standoff between Israelite and Philistine forces. This leads to the famous story of David and Goliath. David's victory publicly triggers his rise to power, paralleled by Saul's collapse. In the end, Saul will die in disgrace (1 Samuel 31:4–7) and David will be appointed the new king of Israel (1 Samuel 2:45:1–3).

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.