· Translation: KJV

1 Samuel 17:47and that all this assembly may know that Yahweh doesn't save with sword and spear: for the battle is Yahweh's, and he will give you into our hand."

The setting

Valley of Elah, Israel, ~1025 BC. David's final words before battle - he wants both armies to learn something about God today...

The emotion here: passionate teacher wanting everyone to see God's glory

The original word

qahal (קָהָל) — assembly, the gathered community who will witness God's power

Why it matters

This battle was watched by thousands - it became the most public demonstration of God's power in a generation

Read with care

What most readers miss in 1 Samuel 17:47

David's real goal isn't killing Goliath - it's teaching everyone watching that God doesn't need human weapons

Common misconceptionPeople think this is about having faith in impossible situations. It's actually about making sure others see that victory comes from God, not human strength.

Bible Genome reading

1 Samuel 17:47 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerDavid
EraUnited Kingdom
Primary emotionworship
Literary typedialogue

Emotional genome

Comfort power80%
Quotability90%
Memorability90%
Crisis relevance90%
Standalone80%
Themes:divine sovereigntyspiritual warfare

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open 1 Samuel 17

1 Samuel 17:47 comes from the book of 1 Samuel, written during the United Kingdom period. The setting is the battlefield. These words are attributed to David. The dominant emotion in this verse is worship, with a comfort power of 80% and a tone that is prophetic. It belongs to the dialogue genre of biblical literature. Key themes include divine sovereignty, spiritual warfare. Notable phrases: battle is Yahweh's; doesn't save with sword.

Your reflection

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