What does 1 Samuel 17:24 mean?
ESV: All the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were much afraid.
NIV: Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear.
NASB: When all the men of Israel saw the man, they fled from him and were very fearful.
CSB: When all the Israelite men saw Goliath, they retreated from him terrified.
NLT: As soon as the Israelite army saw him, they began to run away in fright.
KJV: And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.
NKJV: And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully afraid.
Verse Commentary:
The Israelites are gathered for battle with the Philistines at the Valley of Elah (1 Samuel 17:1–3). Daily they form their battle lines and shout war cries (1 Samuel 17:20). But the Philistines have proposed champion warfare to determine this battle. One representative from each side would be sent to fight. The people of the man killed in that duel would become the servants of the people of the victor. The Philistines' champion is Goliath of Gath, an imposing man of enormous stature and equipped with body armor and advanced weaponry (1 Samuel 17:4–7). This champion taunts the Israelites twice-daily for forty days (1 Samuel 17:8–10, 16).

Goliath is apparently unbeatable. So, not surprisingly, the Israelites respond in fear (1 Samuel 17:11). Here we see that the Israelite soldiers are not simply afraid, but that the men actually flee from Goliath. Since Goliath is said to have "come up" to shout his challenge to them, it's possible that he even approached their battle line. Those nearest him, at least, retreated to be out of reach of his enormous spear.

In this way, one single Philistine melted the courage of Saul's entire army.
Verse Context:
First Samuel 17:24–30 records David's reaction to Goliath's taunting. David is merely visiting his older brothers as the Israelite and Philistine armies watch each other across a valley. Goliath is massive, and the Israelite soldiers are afraid to face him in single combat. David's oldest brother scolds him for asking about what rewards will be given to the one who defeats Goliath. This will catch the attention of King Saul.
Chapter Summary:
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.
Chapter Context:
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).
Book Summary:
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.
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