1 Samuel 17:1 Meaning and Explanation
“Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Philistines muster for war and encamp on Judah's territory between Shochoh and Azekah.
What Does 1 Samuel 17:1 Mean?
The chapter opens on the brink of battle. Israel's old enemy, the Philistines, gathers its armies and pushes inland into the hill country of Judah, pitching camp between Shochoh and Azekah at a place called Ephesdammim. The geography is precise, the threat real and near.
Scripture often begins its greatest deliverances with a sober naming of the danger. Before the stone flies, before the giant falls, the writer lets the menace stand in full view. God does not minimize what His people face; He meets it. The reader is invited to feel the weight of the threat so that the coming rescue will be seen for the wonder it is.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 17:1
What does 1 Samuel 17:1 mean?
The Philistines muster for war and encamp on Judah's territory between Shochoh and Azekah.