1 Samuel 17 15

1 Samuel 17:15 kjv

But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.

1 Samuel 17:15 nkjv

But David occasionally went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.

1 Samuel 17:15 niv

but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father's sheep at Bethlehem.

1 Samuel 17:15 esv

but David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.

1 Samuel 17:15 nlt

but David went back and forth so he could help his father with the sheep in Bethlehem.

1 Samuel 17 verses

1 Samuel 17 15 Meaning

David maintained his shepherd duties, traveling between King Saul's court and his home in Bethlehem to care for his father's flock. This reveals his consistent responsibility and humble lifestyle, despite his anointing as future king and temporary service to Saul.

1 Samuel 17 15 Context

The narrative places David at a crucial juncture, immediately following his anointing by Samuel (1 Sam 16) and preceding his confrontation with Goliath (1 Sam 17). Despite being chosen as future king and having been called to serve Saul, David's life had not dramatically changed. This verse clarifies his status as a part-time courtier who continued his primary, humble duty as a shepherd. While the Israelites, including King Saul, were paralyzed by fear before Goliath, David remained faithful to his responsibilities, rooted in his simple, familial life at Bethlehem.

1 Samuel 17 15 Word analysis

• "But David": This conjunction initiates a contrast. While Saul and Israel were stagnated in fear (as implied in the immediate preceding verses leading to Goliath's challenge), David continued his daily life, underscoring his difference from the court and its inaction.

• "went back and forth": (Hebrew: hōlēk vāshāw - הֹלֵךְ וָשָׁב). This phrase denotes a regular, routine, and cyclical activity. It indicates David was not a full-time fixture at Saul's court, but rather his service there was intermittent, returning home periodically. This implies dedication to his primary duty and a normalcy that starkly contrasts the dramatic events unfolding with Goliath.

• "from Saul": This highlights David's dual role. He had already entered Saul's service as a musician and armor-bearer (1 Sam 16:19-21), but this verse clarifies that it was not a permanent or continuous presence at this stage. Saul likely recognized David's musical skill but did not retain him permanently until later.

• "to feed": (Hebrew: rō‘eh - רֹעֶה, the verb form of shepherd). This refers to the core responsibility of a shepherd: tending, nourishing, guarding, and leading the flock. It signifies active care and diligence.

• "his father's sheep": Emphasizes David's humble familial duty and responsibility within his household. It reveals his economic and social standing—a common, indispensable member of a rural family. It is a detail that sets him apart from royal pomp.

• "at Bethlehem": (Hebrew: Bēyt-Leḥem - בֵּית לָחֶם, meaning "house of bread"). This is David's ancestral home, a small, unremarkable town that holds great significance in Israelite history and future prophecy, being the birthplace of both King David and later, the Messiah.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "But David went back and forth from Saul": This entire phrase conveys David's grounded nature and regular return to his origins, despite his new royal connection. It showcases his discipline and faithfulness to family duties, contrasting with the chaotic scene in the valley.
  • "to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem": This completes the picture of David's humility and diligent character. His service to his family's flock in his hometown prepared him for greater leadership, instilling patience, courage, and a deep understanding of what it means to care for a "flock." This connection between a shepherd and leadership is a recurring theme in the Bible.

1 Samuel 17 15 Bonus section

The phrase "went back and forth" (hōlēk vāshāw) implies a continuous process and underscores a period of maturation for David. This consistent return to shepherding not only kept him connected to his roots but also provided him with invaluable experiences in protection (from lions and bears, as he later testifies in 1 Sam 17:34-36), resourcefulness, and leadership—qualities that were providentially cultivated for his eventual role as king over Israel. His humility in performing these duties, even after his prophetic anointing, further emphasizes God's preference for a servant's heart. This ordinary yet disciplined lifestyle serves as a testament to how God often prepares His chosen vessels in seasons of unglamorous but necessary training.

1 Samuel 17 15 Commentary

This brief verse is crucial for understanding David's character and the divine providence at play before his famous encounter with Goliath. It reveals that David's appointment to Saul's court was not an immediate, full-time integration, allowing him to maintain his humble roots and responsibilities as a shepherd. His "back and forth" movement highlights a life of consistent duty, diligence, and perhaps a degree of obscurity even after being anointed as future king and serving the current king. This faithfulness in seemingly ordinary tasks at Bethlehem—the very place of his humble origin and future royal significance—underscores the biblical principle that God often prepares individuals through small, faithful steps before calling them to great things. This period of seemingly mundane labor was essential training, forging the very character of care, protection, and leadership that would define his future reign. It illustrates that true preparation for divine calling often occurs in the overlooked moments of humble obedience, demonstrating that God equips those He calls through daily faithfulness rather than solely through grand events.