And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and they encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in battle array against the Philistines.
Parallel translations
- WEB Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and encamped in the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines.
- KJV And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines.
- BSB Saul and the men of Israel assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah, arraying themselves for battle against the Philistines.
- NASB Saul and the men of Israel were assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah, and they drew up in battle formation to confront the Philistines.
- NLT Saul countered by gathering his Israelite troops near the valley of Elah.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Saul and Israel encamp in the Valley of Elah and form ranks against the Philistines. The two armies face off for war.
Overview
Israel's forces under Saul take their position in the Valley of Elah, drawing up for battle. The standoff sets the scene for the challenge that will paralyze Israel and reveal Saul's failure of nerve. It is precisely here that an unlikely shepherd will show what faith in God accomplishes.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 2
- 1 Sam 21:9The priest said, “Behold, the sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the valley of Elah, is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you would like to take that, take it; for there is no other except that here.” David said, “There is none like that. Give it to me.”
- 1 Sam 17:19Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The rise of the anointed king after Israel's failed first choice points to the true Anointed One (Messiah means 'anointed'), the shepherd-king after God's own heart from Bethlehem.
How 1 Samuel 17:2 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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