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1 Samuel 17:15

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 17:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Now David went to and fro from Saul to feed his father`s sheep at Beth-lehem.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Now David went to and fro from Saul to feed his father`s sheep at Beth-lehem.
1 Samuel 17:15 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 17

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
15Now David went to and fro from Saul to feed his father`s sheep at Beth-lehem.
16And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.
17And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched grain, and these ten loaves, and carry [them] quickly to the camp to thy brethren;
18and bring these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.
← 1 Samuel 17:141 Samuel 17:16 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But David went, and returned from Saul, etc.] Or “from above Saul”; Josephus f363 says, the physicians of Saul advised to get a man to stand uper kefalnv, “over his head”, and sing psalms and hymns to him; and Saul being recovered from his frenzy and melancholy, by means of David’s music, he was dismissed from him, or had leave to go home, or he returned upon Saul’s taking the field; though one would think, if he was now his armourbearer, he would have gone with him, (see <091621>1 Samuel 16:21). It seems that when he was called to the court of Saul, that he did not continue there, but was going and coming, was there at certain times when Saul wanted him; and so when in the camp he might go…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“David went ... - “Was gone,” referring to 1 Samuel 16:19-20. Had he been Saul’s armour-bearer at this time it is highly improbable that he would have left him to feed sheep. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Went - From Saul's court: where having relieved Saul, he was permitted to go to his father's house, to be sent for again upon occasion. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 17:18”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“17:15 went back and forth: David apparently served as a musician and armor bearer in Saul’s court (see 16:19-23) while maintaining his duties at home. The intermittent nature of David’s service might explain why Saul was unfamiliar with David during the encounter with Goliath (see 17:55-58).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“returned: Sa1 16:11, Sa1 16:19-23 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 17:16”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification