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Deuteronomy 31:8
And the LORD, heit is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Joshua 1:9
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy Godis with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Psalm 27:1
A Psalm of David. The LORDis my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORDis the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Saul and all the Israelites
Saul, the first king of Israel, was chosen to lead and protect the nation. His reaction to Goliath's challenge is crucial, as it highlights his spiritual and leadership shortcomings. The Israelites, under Saul's leadership, were expected to trust in God's power and deliverance. However, their fear indicates a lack of faith and reliance on God, contrasting with earlier victories where faith played a central role. This moment sets the stage for David's introduction as a man after God's own heart, who would later become king.

Were dismayed and greatly afraid
The fear and dismay of Saul and the Israelites underscore the psychological warfare employed by Goliath. This reaction is significant because it shows a departure from the faith and courage that should characterize God's people. The Israelites' fear contrasts with the courage of David, who later confronts Goliath with confidence in God's deliverance. This fear also reflects the spiritual state of Israel under Saul's leadership, where reliance on human strength overshadowed trust in divine intervention. This moment foreshadows the need for a new kind of leadership, one that David would eventually provide, pointing to the ultimate deliverer, Jesus Christ, who conquers fear and embodies perfect faith.

The challenge that echoed across the Valley of Elah was not mere background noise; it was a daily, deliberate provocation. Goliath’s words carried weight because they openly mocked “the ranks of Israel” (1 Samuel 17:10).

• Words can either build faith or crush courage. Similar scenes appear inNumbers 13:31–33, where a discouraging report melted the hearts of the people.

• Scripture stresses the power of what is spoken—Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that “death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Here, death-dealing words momentarily prevail.

Identifying the speaker matters. Goliath is repeatedly called “the Philistine,” underscoring that he belongs to a covenant-breaking people (1 Samuel 17:4).

• InJudges 14:3 and1 Samuel 14:6, Philistines epitomize opposition to the living God.

• The taunt is not just military—it is theological.Psalm 74:18 describes enemies who “mock the name of the Lord,” the very offense Goliath commits.

Both king and people react alike, revealing a leadership vacuum.

• Saul once inspired Israel to follow him (1 Samuel 11:6–7), but after losing the Lord’s favor (1 Samuel 16:14), he cannot inspire courage.

• The people mirror their leader’s fear, recalling1 Samuel 13:6 where they “hid in caves” when outmatched.

• Contrast this with Joshua’s leadership inJoshua 1:10–11, where he stirs the nation to bold obedience.

Dismay indicates a collapse of confidence; great fear shows the depth of their distress.

• Fear often surfaces when past victories are forgotten (Psalm 106:7).

• God had already promised His presence against such foes—Deuteronomy 20:1 says, “Do not be afraid…for the Lord your God is with you.”

• David will later counter fear with faith, declaring inPsalm 27:1, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?”

• The New Testament parallels this principle: “God has not given us a spirit of fear” (2 Timothy 1:7).

1 Samuel 17:11 records the immediate impact of Goliath’s blasphemous challenge: it exposes Saul’s faltering leadership and Israel’s fragile faith. Hearing hostile words from an uncircumcised Philistine should have driven the nation to recall God’s covenant promises, yet they respond with crippling fear. The verse sets the stage for David’s entrance, highlighting the sharp contrast between fear rooted in human strength and confidence anchored in the Lord’s unchanging faithfulness.

Parallel Commentaries ...