1 Samuel 17:1
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 Ephes-dammim. 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 Ephes-dammim.
The verse opens a renewed war between Israel under Saul and the Philistines, with army drawn up against army and Israel in peril. The Philistine armies gathered in territory belonging to Judah and camped between Shochoh and Azekah at Ephes-dammim. Israel's transgressions had weakened its trust in God and left the people without the courage to fight in his name. Saul was afraid and had no confidence that God would give special help, leaving the army paralyzed.
The Philistines challenged Israel to single combat through the champion Goliath, whose insulting and defiant language filled all Israel with fear. It was the champion's size and strength that terrified the army. His defiance was hurled day after day for forty days.
Three of Jesse's sons had joined Saul's army while David remained at home. David afterward came to Saul's camp at his father's direction to carry a message and a gift to his elder brothers and to learn whether they were safe and well, but unknown to his father he had a higher mission under an angel's direction to save his people. God would deliver Israel through David rather than through Saul. David was the one God had raised up to rule his people.
David was stirred with zeal to preserve the honor of the living God and the credit of his people. The account contrasts Goliath's boastful confidence and reliance on his armor with David's humility and trust in God. Ministers therefore should not provoke debate and then rely on prepared arguments, but should trust God to give truth the victory.