1 Samuel 17
1 Now the Philistines gathering together their troops to battle, assembled at Socho of Juda, and camped between Socho and Azeca in the borders of Dommim.
And the Philistines gathered together their hosts, unto battle, and they were gathered together unto Socoh, which belongeth unto Judah, —and they encamped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim;
2 And Saul and the children of Israel being gathered together came to the valley of Terebinth, and they set the army in array to fight against the Philistines.
and, Saul and the men of Israel, gathered themselves together, and encamped in the vale of Elah, and set the army in array against the Philistines.
3 And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.
And, the Philistines, were standing near the hill on one side, and, the Israelites, were standing near the hill on the other side, —while, the valley, was between them.
4 And there went out a man baseborn from the camp of the Philistines named Goliath, of Geth, whose height was six cubits and a span:
And there came forth a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, Goliath, his name, from Gath, —his height, six cubits and a span;
5 And he had a helmet of brass upon his head, and he was clothed with a coat of mail with scales, and the weight of his coat of mail was five thousand sicles of brass:
with a helmet of bronze on his head, and, with a scaly coat of mail, was he clad, —the weight of the coat, being five thousand shekels of bronze;
6 And he had greaves of brass on his legs, and a buckler of brass covered his shoulders.
and, greaves of bronze, on his feet, —and, a javelin of bronze, between his shoulders;
7 And the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and the head of his spear weighed six hundred sicles of iron: and his armourbearer went before him.
and, the shaft of his spear, was like a weaver’s beam, and, the flashing head of his spear, was six hundred shekels of iron, —and, his shield-bearer, was coming on before him.
8 And standing he cried out to the bands of Israel, and said to them: Why are you come out prepared to fight? am not I a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose out a man of you, and let him come down and fight hand to hand.
And he took his stand, and cried unto the ranks of Israel, and said unto them, Wherefore should ye come out, to set in array for battle? Am not, I, a Philistine, while, ye, are servants unto Saul? Choose you a man, and let him come down unto me:
9 If he be able to fight with me, and kill me, we will be servants to you: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, you shall be servants, and shall serve us.
If he prevail in fighting with me, and smite me, then will we become your servants, —but, if, I, prevail over him, and smite him, then shall ye become our servants, and serve, us.
10 And the Philistine said: I have defied the bands of Israel this day: Give me a man, and let him fight with me hand to hand.
And the Philistine said—I, reproach the ranks of Israel, this day, —give me a man, that we may fight together.
11 And Saul and all the Israelites hearing these words of the Philistine were dismayed, and greatly afraid.
When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and feared exceedingly.
12 Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem Juda before mentioned, whose name was Isai, who had eight sons, and was an old man in the days of Saul, and of great age among men.
Now, David, was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem-judah, whose, name, was Jesse, and, who, had eight sons, —and, the man, in the days of Saul was old, advanced in years.
13 And his three eldest sons followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle, were Eliab the firstborn, and the second Abinadab, and the third Samma.
And the three eldest sons of Jesse had followed Saul to the battle, —and, the names of his three sons who went into the battle, were Eliab the firstborn, and, the next to him, Abinadab, and, the third, Shammah.
14 But David was the youngest. So the three eldest having followed Saul,
But, as for David, he, was the youngest, —and, the three eldest, followed Saul;
15 David went, and returned from Saul, to feed his father’s flock at Bethlehem.
whereas, David, kept going and returning from Saul, —to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.
16 Now the Philistine came out morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.
And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, —and presented himself forty days.
17 And Isai said to David his son: Take for thy brethren an ephi of frumenty, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren.
And Jesse said unto David his son, Take, I pray thee, unto thy brethren—this ephah of parched corn, and these ten loaves, —and run to the camp unto thy brethren;
18 And carry these ten little cheeses to the tribune: and go see thy brethren, if they are well: and learn with whom they are placed.
also these ten slices of soft cheese, shalt thou take to the captain of their thousand, —and, as for thy brethren, give good heed to their welfare, their pledge, also shalt thou receive.
19 But Saul, and they, and all the children of Israel were in the valley of Terebinth fighting against the Philistines.
Now, Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the vale of Elah, ready to fight with the Philistines.
20 David therefore arose in the morning, and gave the charge of the flock to the keeper: and went away loaded as Isai had commanded him. And he came to the place of Magala, and to the army, which was going out to fight, and shouted for the battle.
So then David rose up early in the morning, and entrusted the sheep to a keeper, and took up [the provisions] and went his way, as Jesse had commanded him, —and came into the circular rampart, as, the force, was going forth into the ranks, and shouted for the fight.
21 For Israel had put themselves in array, and the Philistines who stood against them were prepared.
So Israel and the Philistines set in array for battle, army against army.
22 And David leaving the vessels which he had brought, under the care of the keeper of the baggage, ran to the place of the battle and asked if all things went well with his brethren.
Then David entrusted the provisions that were upon him to the care of the keeper of the stores, and ran unto the ranks, —and came and asked for the welfare of his brethren.
23 And as he talked with them, that baseborn man whose name was Goliath, the Philistine, of Geth, shewed himself coming up from the camp of the Philistines: and he spoke according to the same words, and David heard them.
Now, as he was speaking with them, lo! the champion coming up, Goliath the Philistine, by name, of Gath, [coming up] out of the ranks of the Philistines, and he spake according to these words, —and David heard [them].
24 And all the Israelites when they saw the man, fled from his face, fearing him exceedingly.
Now, all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from before him, and feared exceedingly.
25 And some one of Israel said: Have you seen this man that is come up, for he is come up to defy Israel. And the man that shall slay him, the king will enrich with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and will make his father’s house free from tribute in Israel.
And the men of Israel said—Have ye seen this man that is coming up? For, to reproach Israel, is he coming. So then it shall be, that, the man that shall smite him, the same, will the king enrich with great riches, and, his own daughter, will give him, and, his father’s house, will he make free in Israel.
26 And David spoke to the men that stood by him, saying: What shall be given to the man that shall kill this Philistine, and shall take away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
Then spake David unto the men that were standing by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that shall smite yonder Philistine, and so shall take away reproach from off Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he hath reproached the ranks of a Living God?
27 And the people answered him the same words saying: These things shall be given to the man that shall slay him.
And the people answered him, according to this word saying, —So, shall it be done to the man that shall smite him.
28 Now when Eliab his eldest brother heard this, when he was speaking with others, he was angry with David, and said: Why earnest thou hither? and why didst thou leave those few sheep in the desert? I know thy pride, and the wickedness of thy heart: that thou art come down to see the battle.
Now Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men, —then was kindled the anger of Eliab against David, and he said—Wherefore is it that thou hast come down? and to whom hast thou entrusted those few sheep in the wilderness? I, know thy pride, and the foolishness of thy heart, for, to see the battle, hast thou come down.
29 And David said: What have I done? is there not cause to speak?
And David said, What have I done, now? Was there not, a cause?
30 And he turned a little aside from him to another: and said the same word. And the people answered him as before.
Then turned he from him unto another, and said—according to this word, —and the people returned him an answer, like the first.
31 And the words which David spoke were heard, and were rehearsed before Saul.
And the words which David spake were overheard, —and, when they told them before Saul, he summoned him.
32 And when he was brought to him, he said to him: Let not any man’s heart be dismayed in him: I thy servant will go, and will fight against the Philistine.
And David said unto Saul, Let not the heart of my lord fail, because of him, —thy servant, will go, and fight with this Philistine.
33 And Saul said to David: Thou art not able to withstand this Philistine, nor to fight against him: for thou art but a boy, but he is a warrior from his youth.
And Saul said unto David—Thou art not able to go against this Philistine, to fight with him, —for, a youth, art, thou, but, he, a man of war, from his youth.
34 And David said to Saul: Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, or a bear, and took a ram out of the midst of the flock:
Then said David unto Saul, Thy servant used to tend his father’s sheep, —and there would come a lion, or a bear, and carry off a lamb out of the flock;
35 And I pursued after them, and struck them, and delivered it out of their mouth: and they rose up against me, and I caught them by the throat, and I strangled and killed them.
and I would go out after him, and smite him, and rescue it out of his mouth, —and, if he rose against me, I would catch him by his beard, and smite him, and slay him.
36 For I thy servant have killed both a lion and a bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be also as one of them. I will go now, and take away the reproach of the people: for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, who hath dared to curse the army of the living God?
Thy servant could slay, either a lion or a bear, —and, this uncircumcised Philistine, shall become, as one of them, for he hath reproached the ranks of a Living God.
37 And David said: The Lord who delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said to David: Go, and the Lord be with thee.
And David said, Yahweh, who hath rescued me out of the power of the lion, and out of the power of the bear, he, will rescue us out of the hand of this Philistine. Then said Saul unto David—Go! and, Yahweh, will be with thee.
38 And Saul clothed David with his garments, and put a helmet of brass upon his head, and armed him with a coat of mail.
And Saul clad David with his own military coat, and set a helmet of bronze upon his head, —and clad him with a coat of mail.
39 And David having girded his sword upon his armour, began to try if he could walk in armour: for he was not accustomed to it. And David said to Saul: I cannot go thus, for I am not used to it. And he laid them off,
And David girded his sword above his military coat, but was reluctant to go, for he had not proved them, —so David said unto Saul—I cannot go in these, for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.
40 And he took his staff, which he had always in his hands: and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them into the shepherd’s scrip, which he had with him, and he took a sling in his hand, and went forth against the Philistine.
Then took he his stick in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the torrent-bed, and put them in the shepherd’s-pouch which he had—even in the wallet, and had his sling in his hand, —and so drew near unto the Philistine.
41 And the Philistine came on, and drew nigh against David, and his armourbearer before him.
And the Philistine came on and on, and drew near unto David, —and the man carrying the shield was before him.
42 And when the Philistine looked, and beheld David, he despised him. For he was a young man, ruddy, and of a comely countenance.
And, when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him, —for he was a youth, and ruddy, a stripling of fair countenance.
43 And the Philistine said to David: Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with a staff? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
Then said the Philistine unto David, A dog, am, I, that thou art coming unto me, with sticks? And the Philistine cursed David, by his god.
44 And he said to David: Come to me, and I will give thy flesh to the birds of the air, and to the beasts of the earth.
And the Philistine said unto David, —Come, unto me, that I may give thy flesh to the birds of heaven, and to the beasts of the field.
45 And David said to the Philistine: Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, which thou hast defied.
Then said David unto the Philistine—Thou, art coming unto me with sword, and with spear, and with javelin, —but, I, am coming unto thee in the name of Yahweh of hosts, God of the ranks of Israel which thou hast reproached.
46 This day, and the Lord will deliver thee into my hand, and I will slay thee, and take away thy head from thee: and I will give the carcasses of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air, and to the beasts of the earth: that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
This day, will Yahweh deliver thee into my hand, and I will smite thee, and take thy head from off thee, and will give thy dead body and the dead bodies of the host of Philistines, this day, unto the birds of heaven, and unto the wild beasts of the earth, —that all the earth may know that Israel hath a God;
47 And all this assembly shall know, that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for it is his battle, and he will deliver you into our hands.
and that all this gathered host may know that, not with sword and with spear, doth Yahweh save, —for, unto Yahweh, belongeth the battle, and he will deliver you into our hand.
48 And when the Philistine arose and was coming, and drew nigh to meet David, David made haste, and ran to the fight to meet the Philistine.
And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew near to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the ranks to meet the Philistine.
49 And he put his hand into his scrip, and took a stone, and cast it with the sling, and fetching it about struck the Philistine in the forehead: and the stone was fixed in his forehead, and he fell on his face upon the earth.
And David thrust his hand into his pouch, and took from thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine, in his forehead, —that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell upon his face, to the earth.
50 And David prevailed over the Philistine, with a sling and a stone, and he struck, and slew the Philistine. And as David had no sword in his hand,
Thus David prevailed over the Philistine, with the sling and with the stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him, —but, sword, was there none in the hand of David.
51 He ran, and stood over the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath, and slew him, and cut off his head. And the Philistines seeing that their champion was dead, fled away.
So David ran, and stood by the Philistine, and took his sword and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off, therewith, his head, —and, when the Philistines saw that their hero was slain, they fled.
52 And the men of Israel and Juda rising up shouted, and pursued after the Philistines till they came to the valley and to the gates of Accaron, and there fell many wounded of the Philistines in the way of Saraim, and as far as Geth, and as far as Accaron.
Then arose the men of Israel and Judah, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, as far as the entrance into Gath, and as far as the gates of Ekron, —and the slain of the Philistines fell in the way to the two gates, even as far as Gath and as far as Ekron.
53 And the children of Israel returning, after they had pursued the Philistines, fell upon their camp.
And the sons of Israel returned from hotly pursuing the Philistines, —and plundered their camps.
54 And David taking the head of the Philistine brought it to Jerusalem: but his armour he put in his tent.
And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it into Jerusalem, —but, his armour, put he into his tent.
55 Now at the time that Saul saw David going out against the Philistines, he said to Abner the captain of the army: Of what family is this young man descended, Abner? And Abner said: As thy soul liveth, O king, I know not.
And, when Saul saw David going forth to meet the Philistine, he said unto Abner, prince of the host, Whose son is the young man, Abner? And Abner said, By the life of thy soul, O king! I know not.
56 And the king said: Inquire thou, whose son this man is.
Then said the king, —Ask, thou, whose son the stripling is?
57 And when David was returned, after the Philistine was slain, Abner took him, and brought him in before Saul, with the head of the Philistine in his hand.
And, when David returned from smiting the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul, —with the head of the Philistine in his hand.
58 And Saul said to him: Young man, of what family art thou? And David said: I am the son of thy servant Isai the Bethlehemite.
And Saul said unto him, Whose son art, thou, O young man? And David said, Son of thy servant Jesse, the Bethlehemite.
