1 Samuel 17:13
1 Samuel 17:13 in Multiple Translations
The three older sons of Jesse had followed Saul into battle: The firstborn was Eliab, the second was Abinadab, and the third was Shammah.
And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.
And 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.
And the three oldest sons of Jesse had gone with Saul to the fight: the names of the three who went to the fight were Eliab, the oldest, and Abinadab the second, and Shammah the third.
Jesse's three oldest sons had joined Saul's army. These were Eliab (the firstborn), Abinadab (second), and Shammah (third).
And the three eldest sonnes of Ishai went and followed Saul to the battel: and the names of his three sonnes that went to battell, were Eliab the Eldest, and the next Abinadab, and the thirde Shammah.
and the three eldest sons of Jesse go, they have gone after Saul to battle; and the name of his three sons who have gone into battle [are] Eliab the first-born, and his second Abinadab, and the third Shammah.
The three oldest sons of Jesse had gone after Saul to the battle; and the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.
And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the first-born, and next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.
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.
Jesse’s three oldest sons, Eliab and Abinadab and Shammah, had gone with Saul to fight the Philistines.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 17:13
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1 Samuel 17:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 17:13
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 17:13
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Samuel 17:13 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 17:13
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 17:13
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:13
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 17:13
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:13
- Sermons on 1 Samuel 17:13
Context — David Accepts the Challenge
13The three older sons of Jesse had followed Saul into battle: The firstborn was Eliab, the second was Abinadab, and the third was Shammah.
14And David was the youngest. The three oldest had followed Saul, 15but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep in Bethlehem.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Chronicles 2:13 | Jesse was the father of Eliab his firstborn; Abinadab was born second, Shimea third, |
| 2 | 2 Samuel 21:21 | and when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of David’s brother Shimei killed him. |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 17:28 | Now when David’s oldest brother Eliab heard him speaking to the men, his anger burned against David. “Why have you come down here?” he asked. “And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and wickedness of heart—you have come down to see the battle!” |
| 4 | 2 Samuel 13:32 | But Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah, spoke up: “My lord must not think they have killed all the sons of the king, for only Amnon is dead. In fact, Absalom has planned this since the day Amnon violated his sister Tamar. |
| 5 | 1 Samuel 16:6–9 | When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, “Surely here before the LORD is His anointed.” But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel, who said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” Next Jesse presented Shammah, but Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” |
| 6 | 2 Samuel 13:3 | Now Amnon had a friend named Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah. Jonadab was a very shrewd man, |
1 Samuel 17:13 Summary
This verse tells us about Jesse's three older sons who followed King Saul into battle. It helps us understand the context of the story of David and Goliath, and how David's family was involved in the battle. Just like how Jesse's sons were faithful to their king, we can be faithful to our leaders and trust in God's plan, as seen in Romans 13:1-7. By studying this verse, we can learn to trust in God's sovereignty and have courage in the face of challenges, just like David did when he faced Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:45-51.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jesse's three older sons follow Saul into battle?
The Bible does not give a specific reason why Jesse's three older sons followed Saul into battle, but it is likely because they were of age to fight and wanted to serve their king, as seen in 1 Samuel 17:12 where Jesse is described as old and well along in years, and his sons would have been grown men by this time.
What can we learn from the fact that David was not with his brothers in battle?
The fact that David was not with his brothers in battle, as mentioned in 1 Samuel 17:15, suggests that he was not considered old enough or experienced enough to fight, but instead was tasked with tending his father's sheep, similar to how Moses was tending his father-in-law's sheep when he encountered God in Exodus 3:1-4:17.
How does this verse fit into the larger story of David and Goliath?
This verse sets the stage for the story of David and Goliath by introducing David's family and his brothers' role in the battle, which contrasts with David's own courageous actions in 1 Samuel 17:45-51, where he trusts in God to defeat the giant Goliath.
What does this verse reveal about Jesse's family and their relationship with King Saul?
This verse reveals that Jesse's family was likely a faithful and patriotic family, as his three older sons followed Saul into battle, indicating their loyalty to the king, similar to how the Israelites were called to be loyal to their leaders in Deuteronomy 17:14-20.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I, like David, may be overlooked or underestimated by others, and how can I trust in God's plan for my life?
- How can I, like Jesse's sons, demonstrate loyalty and faithfulness to my leaders and authorities, while also trusting in God's sovereignty?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be feeling like I am 'tending sheep' instead of being on the front lines of battle, and how can I trust that God has a purpose for me in those seasons?
- How can I, like David, cultivate a heart of courage and trust in God, even when faced with daunting challenges or giants in my life?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 17:13
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 17:13
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:13
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 17:13
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:13
Sermons on 1 Samuel 17:13
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Winning God's Approval - Part 6 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that God is in control of every aspect of our lives, including our relationships, jobs, and homes. He argues that if God, who runs the univer |

