1 Samuel 17 17

1 Samuel 17:17 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 of thy brethren;

1 Samuel 17:17 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.

1 Samuel 17:17 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.

1 Samuel 17:17 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.

1 Samuel 17:17 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.

1 Samuel 17 verses

1 Samuel 17 17 Meaning

Jesse, David's father, instructed him to deliver provisions—an ephah of roasted grain and ten loaves of bread—to his three elder brothers serving in King Saul's army in the Valley of Elah, where they were engaged in a standoff with the Philistines. This seemingly ordinary errand would providentially lead David to the encounter that changed his life and the history of Israel.

1 Samuel 17 17 Context

1 Samuel Chapter 17 opens with the Philistines and Israelites arrayed for battle in the Valley of Elah. For forty days, Goliath, the Philistine champion, challenges Israel to single combat, but no one from Saul's army, including the king, dares to face him. David, the youngest of Jesse's eight sons, has been appointed as Saul's armor-bearer and musician (1 Sam 16:21-23), but still frequently returns to Bethlehem to tend his father's sheep (1 Sam 17:15). His three elder brothers—Eliab, Abinadab, and Shammah—are with Saul's army. Jesse, likely concerned for his sons during this prolonged military standoff, dispatches David on this errand of delivering provisions, thereby setting in motion the circumstances for David's pivotal encounter with Goliath. The cultural context includes the common practice of families sending food to their soldier sons, especially during long campaigns or stalemates, as army logistics were often rudimentary.

1 Samuel 17 17 Word analysis

• Then Jesse said:

  • Jesse (יִשַׁי, Yishai): Father of David, a humble Bethlehemite. His role as David's father emphasizes the familial ties and the beginning of David's journey through an ordinary request.
  • Said (ʾāmar): A straightforward verbal command, initiating David's journey. It implies parental authority and expectation of obedience.

• to David his son:

  • David (דָּוִיד, David): The youngest, an unlikely hero in human eyes, yet divinely chosen and anointed. His identity as "his son" highlights his filial responsibility. This verse demonstrates David's readiness to obey his earthly father, a characteristic that often accompanies preparedness for divine commission.
  • His son: Emphasizes the filial relationship and the simple, everyday nature of the request, highlighting God's use of ordinary circumstances for extraordinary purposes.

• Go now:

  • Go (לֵךְ, lekh): An imperative verb, a direct instruction indicating a journey is to commence.
  • Now: Implies immediacy. Jesse is sending David promptly, perhaps reflecting his concern for his sons or the need for fresh supplies for men stationed in the field.

• take for your brothers:

  • Take (לָקַח, laqach): Implies acquisition and conveyance. David is not just going, but taking.
  • For your brothers: Highlights family concern and solidarity. It's a task rooted in love and care for his kin who are serving their nation. This personal touch grounds the subsequent epic events in mundane reality.

• an ephah of this roasted grain:

  • Ephah (אֵיפָה, 'ephah): An ancient Hebrew measure for dry goods, roughly 22 liters (or about half a bushel). This is a substantial amount, enough to feed multiple people for several days, showing Jesse's concern for providing amply for his sons and potentially their messmates.
  • Roasted grain (קָלִיא, qali'): Also known as parched grain. A common, simple, nutritious food staple for travel or military campaigns in the ancient Near East, easily prepared and transported. It signifies basic sustenance.

• and these ten loaves:

  • Ten loaves (לֶחֶם, lechem): Bread, a fundamental food. The number "ten" adds to the specific nature of the provision, implying sufficiency for a few individuals. Bread, especially in the biblical narrative, carries significance beyond mere food, often symbolizing sustenance, life, and fellowship.

• and run to your brothers in the camp:

  • Run (רוּץ, ruts): An imperative verb indicating speed and urgency. Jesse might be urging haste due to the ongoing military situation, the need for fresh food, or perhaps an intuitive sense of the need for timely arrival, unknowingly aligned with God's perfect timing.
  • To your brothers: Reinforces the destination and purpose: reaching his family members.
  • In the camp: The military encampment where the Israelite army was stationed, currently facing the Philistines. This sets the stage geographically for David's entrance into the national conflict and his fateful meeting with Goliath.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Go now, take for your brothers...": This imperative cluster emphasizes the directness and urgency of the parental command. It reflects a dutiful child's role within the family structure, demonstrating David's character of obedience before his divine calling truly unfolds.
  • "an ephah of this roasted grain and these ten loaves": The specific quantity and type of provisions underscore Jesse's practical care and concern for his sons' well-being. This seemingly mundane delivery forms the practical reason for David's arrival at the battlefield, a divine orchestration behind ordinary events.
  • "and run to your brothers in the camp": The addition of "run" to a simple journey instruction injects urgency and perhaps a subtle premonition of the dramatic events soon to unfold. It highlights the dynamic and time-sensitive nature of the military situation that David is entering.

1 Samuel 17 17 Bonus section

• The Unassuming Path to Destiny: Many scholarly analyses highlight this verse as a prime example of how God often leads individuals into their greatest calling not through grand pronouncements but through faithful engagement with their immediate, sometimes seemingly insignificant, duties. David's shepherd background (1 Sam 16:11-13) and now this delivery errand are his preparation ground.
• Contrasting David and Saul: While Saul and his army were paralyzed by fear, a simple, obedient act by David in delivering food led him to the place where God's ultimate plan would unfold, subtly contrasting God's method (obedience, humility) with man's failure (fear, pride).
• Symbolic Value of Provisions: The food provisions—roasted grain and bread—symbolize not only physical sustenance but also God's ongoing care for His people, even amidst conflict and challenge. In a larger sense, it echoes God's covenantal provision throughout Israel's history.

1 Samuel 17 17 Commentary

1 Samuel 17:17 marks a pivotal, yet outwardly mundane, moment in David's life. While seemingly just a family errand, it encapsulates themes central to biblical narrative: divine providence, the importance of faithfulness in small things, and the training of a chosen leader through ordinary duties. Jesse's command, born out of familial concern for his soldier sons, perfectly aligns with God's timing. David's ready obedience, symbolized by the "go now" and "run" imperatives, reflects his humble character and sets the stage for his subsequent bold act of faith against Goliath. This verse illustrates that God often works through the commonplace to initiate monumental changes, demonstrating that what appears coincidental is frequently providential. It also highlights the responsibility within a family structure, where younger members contribute to the welfare of their elders and fighting kin. This errand is not a diversion from his destiny but a divinely ordained path directly leading to it.