Useful Bible Studies > 1 Samuel Commentary > chapter 17
Everyone in Israel’s army knew clearly that their battle against Philistia’s army would be a very important battle.
The defeat of Israel’s army would give control of their entire country to Philistia’s rulers. On the other hand, success against Philistia would make Saul’s rule in Israel strong. The two countries continued to be serious enemies during the whole of Saul’s rule.
Israel’s army did not begin the attack because its soldiers were too afraid. They could see that Philistia’s army included many very strong men. The most impressive of these men was, of course, Goliath.
Every day, Goliath came out of his camp to laugh at Israel’s men. He told them that they did not need to fight a battle. They only needed to find one man from Israel who could fight him (Goliath). If that man killed Goliath, the defeat of Philistia’s army was certain. If Goliath killed the man from Israel, the defeat of Israel’s army was certain.
That was what Goliath said. The reality, of course, is that one fight does not win a battle. However, both armies would watch the fight. The army whose hero won would gain great courage for the battle. The other army would become weak and afraid. Clearly, it would be impossible for Israel’s army to win that battle unless one of its men killed Goliath.
Really, Goliath wanted to frighten Israel’s men so much that they would all run away. He wanted them to go back to their homes. Then Philistia’s army could take control of Israel without any battle. However, Saul was such a powerful man that none of Israel’s soldiers dared to leave their camp. For those reasons, both armies waited in their camps for 40 days, and neither side began the battle.
Next part: David arrives at Israel’s camp (1 Samuel 17:12-20)
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© 2014, Keith Simons.