BibleWord.ai› Bible› 1 Samuel› Chapter 17› Verse 2

1 Samuel 17:2

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 17:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and encamped in the vale of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and encamped in the vale of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines.
1 Samuel 17:2 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 17

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle; and they were gathered together at Socoh, which belongeth to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.
2And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and encamped in the vale of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines.
3And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.
4And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.
5And he had a helmet of brass upon his head, and he was clad with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.
← 1 Samuel 17:11 Samuel 17:3 →
← 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
“And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, etc.] He being cured, at least being better of his disorder, through the music of David, and alarmed and aroused by the invasion of the Philistines, which might serve to dissipate any remains of it, or prevent its return, got together his forces: and pitched by the valley of Elah; which Jerom f338 says Aquila and Theodotion interpret “the valley of the oak”; but the Vulgate Latin version, the valley of Terebinth; which, according to our countryman Sandys f339, was four miles from Ramaosophim, where Samuel dwelt; for he says, “after four miles riding, we descended into the valley of Terebinth, famous, though little, for the slaughter of…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“valley of Elah--that is, "the Terebinth," now Wady Er-Sumt [ROBINSON]. Another valley somewhat to the north, now called Wady Beit Hanina, has been fixed on by the tradition of ages.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The valley of Elah - i. e., of the terebinth, now called Wady es Sunt, from the acacias which are scattered in it. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“17:2 The valley of Elah was a fertile area that ran east–west, fifteen miles southwest of Bethlehem.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the valley: Sa1 17:19, Sa1 21:9 set the battle in array: Heb. ranged the battle 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 17:4”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

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

Sources and verification