1 Samuel 17 12

1 Samuel 17:12 kjv

Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.

1 Samuel 17:12 nkjv

Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem Judah, whose name was Jesse, and who had eight sons. And the man was old, advanced in years, in the days of Saul.

1 Samuel 17:12 niv

Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul's time he was very old.

1 Samuel 17:12 esv

Now David was the son of an Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, named Jesse, who had eight sons. In the days of Saul the man was already old and advanced in years.

1 Samuel 17:12 nlt

Now David was the son of a man named Jesse, an Ephrathite from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. Jesse was an old man at that time, and he had eight sons.

1 Samuel 17 verses

1 Samuel 17 12 Meaning

1 Samuel 17:12 establishes the identity and familial background of David at a pivotal moment, introducing him as the son of Jesse from Bethlehem Judah. It highlights his lineage, his hometown, the size of his family (eight sons), and his father Jesse's advanced age, providing context for why David, rather than his older brothers or father, is not directly engaged in the ongoing battle initially.

1 Samuel 17 12 Context

1 Samuel 17 details the epic standoff between Israel and the Philistines in the Valley of Elah, highlighting the champion Goliath who defied Israel's army for forty days. King Saul and all Israel were terrified. Verse 12 serves as a re-introduction to David, providing essential background as he enters this crucial narrative. While David was previously introduced (1 Sam 16) and anointed by Samuel, his family details, especially the number of brothers and his father's age, clarify his current circumstances: not as a soldier of Saul but as one bringing provisions from home due to his youth and Jesse's old age, thus explaining his presence in the camp. This context emphasizes David's humble position, setting a stark contrast to the fearsome Goliath and highlighting God's unexpected choice for leadership and deliverance.

1 Samuel 17 12 Word analysis

• Now David: WĕDāwīd (וְדָוִד). "Now" ('And' or 'But' in Hebrew) serves as a transition, resuming David's story within the context of the Philistine conflict. "David" (דָּוִיד) means "beloved one." His introduction here prepares the audience for his pivotal role.
• was the son: Establishes lineage and familial connection. A critical element for understanding identity and destiny in ancient Israel.
• of that Ephrathite: Hā’Ephrātī (הָאֶפְרָתִי). Refers to a resident or descendant of Ephrath. Ephrath was an ancient name associated with Bethlehem (Gen 35:19). This clarifies David's specific geographical and tribal identity, tying him to a specific place, a "house" of prominence.
• of Bethlehem Judah: Bēth-Leḥem Yəhūdāh (בֵּית לֶחֶם יְהוּדָה). "Bethlehem" means "house of bread" or "house of meat." Its full designation "Bethlehem Judah" distinguishes it from other Bethlehems and explicitly links it to the powerful tribe of Judah, from whom kingship was prophesied (Gen 49:10). This specific naming also foreshadows its later significance as the birthplace of the Messiah.
• whose name was Jesse: Yishay (יִשַׁי). Jesse has already been introduced as the one from whom God would choose a king (1 Sam 16). Identifying Jesse further reinforces David's familial connection and lineage to God's chosen house, not an unknown or foreign origin.
• and he had eight sons: This detail is crucial. It clarifies that while only seven sons were presented to Samuel in 1 Sam 16:10-11, David (the youngest) made the total count of eight. The number "eight" in biblical thought can signify new beginnings or super-completeness beyond "seven" (perfection/completion). Here, it emphasizes David's lowest position among his brothers, reinforcing the idea of divine choosing despite natural human inclination or appearance (1 Sam 16:7).
• and the man went among men for an old man: Zāqēn (זָקֵן), meaning "old" or "elderly." This phrase signifies that Jesse was past the age of military service and beyond the prime of his physical vigor. He was revered as an elder, but his age prevented him from participating in the conflict himself, explaining why David, the youngest, might be tasked with tasks like delivering provisions.
• in the days of Saul: This firmly places the event within Saul's reign, providing a clear chronological marker. It reminds the audience that Saul is currently king, soon to be supplanted by the newly introduced David, highlighting the transition of divine favor and kingship.

1 Samuel 17 12 Bonus section

• The re-emphasis on David's family (father, brothers, hometown) despite his previous anointing ensures that his arrival on the battlefield is not seen as an abrupt, out-of-nowhere divine intervention without any earthly roots. It contextualizes him within Israelite society.
• The detail of Jesse having "eight sons" clarifies a potential point of confusion between this chapter and 1 Sam 16:10-11 (where Samuel sees only seven before David is called). This demonstrates the comprehensive narrative given by the biblical writer, ensuring factual accuracy from their perspective. It suggests that David was the full number eight in the familial listing, underscoring his position as the "youngest."
• Jesse's description as "an old man" paints a picture of a patriarchal head who, though too old for battle himself, still manages his household affairs, including sending provisions to his fighting sons. This detail further normalizes David's early role.
• The deliberate inclusion of "Bethlehem Judah" serves as a narrative marker, not only providing precise geographic context but also subtly hinting at its future prophetic significance related to the Messiah's birth (Mic 5:2), connecting the history of God's chosen kings directly through this small town.

1 Samuel 17 12 Commentary

1 Samuel 17:12 is a foundational verse, succinctly anchoring David's identity at the beginning of his most famous exploit. It underscores his authentic lineage within the chosen tribe of Judah and clarifies his origins from the seemingly unremarkable town of Bethlehem. The reference to Jesse's eight sons, particularly following the earlier account where only seven were initially presented to Samuel for anointing (1 Sam 16), re-emphasizes David's lowly position as the youngest, highlighting God's practice of elevating the humble and overlooked (1 Sam 16:7; 1 Cor 1:27). Jesse's advanced age explains David's presence as a mere provider for his elder brothers rather than a direct participant in the battle. This verse establishes David as an ordinary individual with a verifiable background, making his eventual triumph over Goliath, and his rise to kingship, a testament not to his natural prowess but to divine election and power. It also subtly prepares the ground for Bethlehem's ultimate significance as the birthplace of David's greater Son, Jesus Christ, tying David's story directly into God's grand plan of salvation.