BibleWord.ai› Bible› 1 Samuel› Chapter 17› Verse 11

1 Samuel 17:11

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 17:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And when Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And when Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.
1 Samuel 17:11 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 17

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.
9If he be able to fight with me, and kill me, then will we be your servants; but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.
10And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.
11And when Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.
12Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Beth-lehem-judah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man was an old man in the days of Saul, stricken [in years] among men.
13And the three eldest sons of Jesse had gone after Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the first-born, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.
14And David was the youngest; and the three eldest followed Saul.
← 1 Samuel 17:101 Samuel 17:12 →
← Full Chapter 17 1 Samuel Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, etc.] For they were delivered with such a tone and strength of voice, as to be heard very generally, at least by many, and which soon was reported through the whole army: they were dismayed, and greatly afraid; which may seem strange, when there were so many valiant men among them, as Saul himself, who had behaved with so much courage against the Ammonites, Philistines, and Amalekites; but now the Spirit of God was departed from him, and he was become timorous and fearful; and though he was much better than he had been, yet still he was not the man of spirit and resolution as before: there was also Abner, the general of his army,…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Afraid - This may seem strange, considering the glorious promises, and their late experience of divine assistance. And where was Jonathan, who in the last war had so bravely engaged an whole army of the Philistines? Doubtless he did not feel himself so stirred up of God as he did at that time. As the best, so the bravest of men, are no more than what God makes them. Jonathan must sit still now, because this honour is reserved for David. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 17:12”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“dismayed: Deu 31:8; Jos 1:9; Psa 27:1; Pro 28:1; Isa 51:12, Isa 51:13, Isa 57:11 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 17:12”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read 1 Samuel 17 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification