1 Samuel 19 8

1 Samuel 19:8 kjv

And there was war again: and David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a great slaughter; and they fled from him.

1 Samuel 19:8 nkjv

And there was war again; and David went out and fought with the Philistines, and struck them with a mighty blow, and they fled from him.

1 Samuel 19:8 niv

Once more war broke out, and David went out and fought the Philistines. He struck them with such force that they fled before him.

1 Samuel 19:8 esv

And there was war again. And David went out and fought with the Philistines and struck them with a great blow, so that they fled before him.

1 Samuel 19:8 nlt

War broke out again after that, and David led his troops against the Philistines. He attacked them with such fury that they all ran away.

1 Samuel 19 verses

1 Samuel 19 8 Meaning

The war against the Philistines resumed. David once again engaged in battle against them and inflicted a massive defeat, causing them to flee from his presence. This verse highlights David's continuing military success and indispensable role in defending Israel, even amidst King Saul's attempts on his life.

1 Samuel 19 8 Context

1 Samuel 19:8 takes place during a volatile period in King Saul's reign, immediately after multiple attempts by Saul to kill David. In 1 Samuel 18, David's overwhelming popularity and success, fueled by his slaying of Goliath and subsequent military triumphs, trigger deep jealousy and paranoia in Saul. This envy leads Saul to attempt to pin David to the wall with a spear not once (1 Sam 19:9-10), but twice (1 Sam 18:10-11). Furthermore, Saul schemes to have David killed by the Philistines through the marriage dowry (1 Sam 18:25).

In 1 Samuel 19, the direct context of verse 8 involves David's faithful friend Jonathan successfully pleading David's case before Saul, reminding him of David's loyalty and his crucial role in God's victory against Goliath (1 Sam 19:1-7). Saul, seemingly appeased for a moment, takes an oath that David shall not die. It is in this uneasy period of reconciliation, where David continues to serve Saul, that renewed conflict with the Philistines arises. David's willingness to go out and fight once more despite the constant threat from Saul demonstrates his unwavering commitment to God's people and his duties. This new victory, however, ironically rekindles Saul's insane jealousy, leading to yet another spear attack on David.

1 Samuel 19 8 Word analysis

• וַתֹּסֶף֙ (va-to'sef) - "And it was added/repeated," "And it happened again": From the root יָסַף (yasaf), meaning "to add, increase, continue." The vav consecutive qal imperfect with a hifil causative nuance implies that the war continued or broke out again. It signifies not necessarily a new war, but a re-engagement or an intensification of the existing, ongoing conflict with the Philistines. This repetition underscores the constant Philistine threat to Israel and, implicitly, the ongoing need for a capable leader like David.
• הַמִּלְחָמָה֙ (ha-milchamah) - "the war": The definite article points to a well-known, ongoing state of conflict between Israel and the Philistines, a perennial enemy (e.g., Judg 3:31, 1 Sam 4:1, 13:19-22). This was not an isolated incident but part of a larger, existential struggle.
• וַיֵּצֵ֥א (va-ye'tze) - "And he went out": From the root יָצָא (yatsa), "to go out." This verb indicates David's initiative and active engagement in leading the fight. Despite the recent attempts on his life by Saul, David remains committed to defending Israel.
• דָוִ֖ד (David) - "David": The renowned warrior of Israel, known for defeating Goliath (1 Sam 17). His presence immediately signifies the potential for victory. His name itself means "beloved" or "darling," prophetically pointing to his beloved status with God.
• וַיִּלָּ֙חֶם֙ (va-yilachem) - "and he fought": From the root לָחַם (lacham), "to fight." This verb describes direct, forceful engagement in battle, emphasizing David's active participation and military skill.
• בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים (ba-pelishtim) - "with/against the Philistines": The traditional adversaries of Israel during this period, constantly harassing their borders and challenging their existence (e.g., 1 Sam 7:7, 13:5-7, 17:1). Their repeated mention highlights the nature of the perpetual threat.
• וַיַּ֤ךְ (va-yach) - "and he struck/smote": From the root נָכָה (nakah), "to strike, hit, smite, kill." This verb denotes a decisive, destructive blow, implying significant casualties. It conveys the impact and finality of David's action.
• בָּהֶם֙ (ba-hem) - "in/among/on them": Indicates the direct impact of the blow upon the Philistine ranks.
• מַכָּ֣ה (makkah) - "a blow," "a wound," "a defeat": Can mean a defeat, slaughter, or a significant blow. In military contexts, it signifies a decisive and often destructive defeat.
• גְדוֹלָ֔ה (g'dolah) - "great": Adjective modifying "makkah." This emphasizes the magnitude of the defeat David inflicted upon the Philistines. It was not just a skirmish but a crushing, comprehensive victory.
• וַיָּנֻ֖סוּ (va-yanusu) - "and they fled": From the root נוּס (nus), "to flee, escape." This indicates a complete rout and chaotic retreat, demonstrating the Philistines' inability to withstand David's onslaught.
• מִפָּנָֽיו (mi-panav) - "from before him" / "from his face": Literally "from his face." This idiomatic expression emphasizes that their flight was a direct result of encountering David himself, attributing their fear and defeat to his overwhelming presence and might in battle.

1 Samuel 19 8 Bonus section

The consistent military victories of David, as highlighted in this verse, serve as a recurring theological theme throughout 1 Samuel. They are not merely triumphs of human skill but divine endorsements of David as the Lord's anointed, contrasting sharply with Saul's deteriorating leadership marked by divine withdrawal (1 Sam 16:14). Each victory against Israel's enemies indirectly highlights God's hand on David, protecting him from internal foes (Saul) while using him against external ones (Philistines). This cyclical pattern of Philistine aggression and David's triumph establishes David as the rightful protector and future king, continually affirming God's irreversible plan despite human opposition.

1 Samuel 19 8 Commentary

1 Samuel 19:8 presents a sharp contrast between Saul's personal vendetta against David and David's unwavering dedication to the welfare of God's people. Despite the repeated, murderous attempts on his life by the very king he served, David faithfully steps up to defend Israel when "the war broke out again." His initiative to "go out" and "fight" showcases not only his extraordinary military skill but, more profoundly, the presence of the Lord's favor upon him (1 Sam 18:14).

The decisive "great blow" inflicted upon the Philistines, leading to their swift flight, reinforces David's role as God's chosen instrument for deliverance. It signifies that even in a climate of personal betrayal and persecution, divine providence ensures David's success and further entrenches his status as a national hero. This outcome, ironically, intensifies Saul's envy, proving that his underlying madness could not be appeased even by David's acts of loyalty and salvation for the kingdom. The victory, meant for the nation's security, instead becomes a catalyst for Saul's renewed determination to destroy David, illustrating the depths of his spiritual deterioration and rejection of God's chosen path.