1 Samuel 17 3

1 Samuel 17:3 kjv

And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.

1 Samuel 17:3 nkjv

The Philistines stood on a mountain on one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side, with a valley between them.

1 Samuel 17:3 niv

The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.

1 Samuel 17:3 esv

And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them.

1 Samuel 17:3 nlt

So the Philistines and Israelites faced each other on opposite hills, with the valley between them.

1 Samuel 17 verses

1 Samuel 17 3 Meaning

This verse precisely details the strategic positions of the opposing armies, the Philistines and the Israelites, before the famed confrontation between David and Goliath. It illustrates a tense military stalemate, with both forces arrayed on opposing mountain slopes, separated by a valley. This topographical arrangement created a natural barrier, preventing direct large-scale engagement and setting the stage for the pivotal single combat that would define the battle. It highlights the challenging and formidable situation Israel faced, humanly speaking.

1 Samuel 17 3 Context

Chapter 17 opens by immediately establishing the stage for the dramatic encounter. The Philistines, perennial adversaries of Israel, gathered their forces at Socoh in Judah, intending to invade and conquer. King Saul and the Israelite army assembled in the Valley of Elah to confront them. This specific verse (17:3) vividly describes the opposing armies' dispositions: the Philistines on one side's mountain, Israel on the other's, with the valley serving as a literal and symbolic divide. This stalemate highlights a period of significant military tension and a pause in the ongoing struggle between Israel and the Philistines, largely due to the Philistines' technological superiority in iron and their formidable champions, setting the scene for Goliath's challenge and David's rise. Historically, the Valley of Elah was a critical gateway between the Philistine plain and the Judean highlands, making its control vital for both parties.

1 Samuel 17 3 Word analysis

• The Philistines: (Hebrew: הַפְּלִשְׁתִּים, ha-Pelishtim). A formidable non-Semitic people, part of the "Sea Peoples," who settled the southwestern coast of Canaan. They possessed superior iron technology (1 Sam 13:19-22), organized city-states, and were constant oppressors and military threats to Israel. Their presence on the mountain indicated their strategic offensive position.
• stood: (Hebrew: עֹמְדִים, ‘om’dim, Qal Participle masculine plural of עָמַד amad). This implies a firm, established, and arrayed posture, ready for battle, but also a state of waiting or stalemate rather than immediate engagement. They were holding their ground.
• on a mountain: (Hebrew: הַהַר, ha-har, "the mountain"). The use of the definite article suggests a known or prominent ridge. Occupying elevated ground provided a defensive advantage, allowed for clear observation, and made an assault difficult. It shows a tactical position rather than an impromptu gathering.
• on one side: (Hebrew: מִזֶּה, mizzeh, literally "from here" or "on this side"). This is a spatial indicator, defining one specific area for one army. It emphasizes a clear division and established positions.
• and Israel stood: (Hebrew: וְיִשְׂרָאֵל עֹמְדִים, ve-Yisra’el ‘om’dim). Repeating "stood" reinforces the identical strategic positioning and the mirrored standoff. Israel, though the covenant nation, often struggled with human reliance over divine trust, as exemplified by their fear in this encounter.
• on a mountain: (Hebrew: עַל־הָהָר מִזֶּה, ‘al-ha-har mizzeh, literally "on the mountain from this side"). Again, the mountain, indicating their equally defensive and observational stance.
• on the other side: (Hebrew: וּמִזֶּה, u-mizzeh, literally "and from here" but idiomatically meaning "and from that side"). Clearly demarcating the opposite position and the binary nature of the conflict.
• with a valley: (Hebrew: וְהַגַּיְא, ve-hag-gay’, "and the valley"). The term gay’ typically denotes a deep, narrow ravine or glen, often implying a formidable natural barrier, sometimes associated with danger. This specific "valley" is the Valley of Elah (as established in verse 2), a critical geographical feature that facilitated and constrained warfare.
• between them: (Hebrew: בֵּינֵיהֶם, beneihem). This signifies the physical chasm that separated the two forces, preventing easy advance or retreat and forming the stage for the dramatic duel to come. It serves as both a barrier and a contested ground.

• "The Philistines stood on a mountain on one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side": This phrase highlights the parallel and symmetrical military alignment, each side entrenched on high ground, showcasing a tense waiting game. Neither side had the immediate tactical advantage to initiate a large-scale assault, leading to a standoff that needed an alternative resolution. This symmetrical positioning sets up a perfect scene for a representative champion battle, which becomes crucial in this narrative.
• "with a valley between them": This critical geographical detail defines the impasse. The valley acted as a natural defensive barrier for both sides, preventing direct conventional warfare and creating the arena for Goliath's challenge. It transforms the battlefield into a choke-point, emphasizing the human limitations and foreshadowing a divine intervention needed to break the deadlock.

1 Samuel 17 3 Bonus section

The Valley of Elah is historically significant as a strategic artery leading from the Philistine plain into the Judean hills. Its Hebrew name, Elah, refers to the terebinth trees that commonly grew there. The nature of the valley – likely with a seasonal stream bed – reinforces its function as a natural divide, complicating direct battle but also offering ideal terrain for a duel, as it naturally funnels combat into a relatively flat area. The standoff depicted in this verse underscores the Philistine military dominance and confidence, compelling them to propose the champion battle, as they knew Israel’s forces, though numerous, were apprehensive. This humanly impossible situation perfectly amplifies the subsequent triumph of God's chosen, David, who was reliant on God's strength, not physical might or weapons, thereby glorifying the Lord over military prowess.

1 Samuel 17 3 Commentary

This concise verse profoundly sets the stage for one of the most iconic narratives in the Bible. It meticulously outlines the strategic stalemate between two powerful adversaries. The Philistines, masters of iron and warfare, confidently held one ridge, while Israel, led by Saul, occupied the opposing high ground. The valley, specifically the Valley of Elah, served as an unassailable chasm, making direct engagement immensely risky and creating a physical impasse. This geographical setup meant neither army could gain a decisive upper hand without tremendous losses, thus leading to a war of nerves and the eventual proposal of single combat. It vividly depicts Israel's precarious position, unable to advance against the superior Philistine might, waiting for a champion that human strength could not provide.