1 Samuel 17:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Jesse said to David his son, "Take for your brothers an ephah of this parched grain, and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp to your brothers.

NIV: Now Jesse said to his son David, "Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp.

NASB: Then Jesse said to his son David, 'Take now for your brothers an ephah of this roasted grain and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to your brothers.

CSB: One day Jesse had told his son David: "Take this half-bushel of roasted grain along with these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp.

NLT: One day Jesse said to David, 'Take this basket of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread, and carry them quickly to your brothers.

KJV: And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren;

NKJV: Then Jesse said to his son David, “Take now for your brothers an ephah of this dried grain and these ten loaves, and run to your brothers at the camp.

The Philistines and Israelites are gathered for war around the Valley of Elah (1 Samuel 17:1–3). A man from Bethlehem, Jesse, has eight sons. His three oldest are with the Israelite army. His youngest, David, goes back and forth between tending the family sheep and assisting King Saul (1 Samuel 17:12–15). Though Saul still held the position of king in Israel, God had rejected him (1 Samuel 15:22–29). The prophet Samuel anointed David to be the next king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:1–13), but it would be at least ten more years before David assumed the throne. In the meantime, God's Spirit was present with David, and others could tell. God also provided a way for David to enter into King Saul's service, where he no doubt learned valuable lessons (1 Samuel 16:14–23). At this time, it seems David is under age twenty since he was not in military service. Here, David's father sends the young man to the field of battle to bring food and check in on his brothers.

Some commentators suggest that when the army was not too far away, the people of the surrounding communities participated in providing food and other necessities to support the troops. Bethlehem was about fourteen miles from the location of battle. Whatever the case, Jesse's care for his sons is evident through his provision for them and desire to know how they are faring. The elderly father sends David with bread and grain, along with cheese (1 Samuel 17:18). The grain, likely wheat or barley, was parched by roasting it in an iron pan. Roasted grain lasted longer, making it an ideal meal for travel or soldiers at war. Parched grain was a staple during this era in Israel (2 Samuel 17:28; Leviticus 23:14; Ruth 2:14).

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.