Now David was the son of a man named JesseDavid, the youngest son of Jesse, is introduced here. Jesse is a significant figure in biblical history, as he is part of the lineage of Jesus Christ, fulfilling the prophecy of the Messiah coming from the line of David (
Isaiah 11:1). David's role as a shepherd and later as king foreshadows Christ, the Good Shepherd and King of Kings.
an Ephrathite from Bethlehem of Judah
Bethlehem, known as the "House of Bread," is a small town with great significance. It is the birthplace of David and later Jesus Christ, fulfilling the prophecy inMicah 5:2. The term "Ephrathite" refers to the ancient name of the region, Ephrath, highlighting the deep historical roots of David's family.
who had eight sons
Jesse's eight sons indicate a large family, which was a sign of blessing and prosperity in ancient Israelite culture. David, being the youngest, emphasizes the biblical theme of God choosing the least likely or the humble to fulfill His purposes, as seen in1 Samuel 16:7.
And in the days of Saul
This phrase sets the historical context during the reign of King Saul, Israel's first king. The period was marked by political and spiritual turmoil, as Saul struggled with obedience to God. David's rise during Saul's reign highlights the transition from a monarchy based on human choice to one established by divine appointment.
Jesse was old and well along in years
Jesse's advanced age suggests wisdom and experience, yet it also implies that he may not have been able to participate actively in the events unfolding. This detail underscores the importance of David's role in stepping up to face Goliath and later becoming king, as God often uses the young and seemingly insignificant to accomplish His plans.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
DavidThe youngest son of Jesse, later anointed as the king of Israel. Known for his faith, courage, and leadership, David is a central figure in the Bible, representing a man after God's own heart.
2.
JesseDavid's father, an Ephrathite from Bethlehem. Jesse is significant as the patriarch of the family from which David, and ultimately Jesus, descended.
3.
BethlehemA small town in Judah, known as the birthplace of David and later Jesus. It holds prophetic significance as the prophesied birthplace of the Messiah.
4.
JudahOne of the twelve tribes of Israel, from which David and Jesus descended. Judah is often associated with leadership and kingship.
5.
SaulThe first king of Israel, whose reign was marked by disobedience to God, leading to his eventual rejection as king in favor of David.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in LineageGod's choice of David, a seemingly insignificant shepherd boy, highlights His sovereignty and ability to use anyone for His purposes. This encourages us to trust in God's plan for our lives, regardless of our current status or background.
The Importance of Humble BeginningsDavid's humble beginnings in Bethlehem remind us that God often uses the humble and lowly to accomplish great things. We should not despise small beginnings but remain faithful in our current circumstances.
Legacy and FaithfulnessJesse's role as the father of David underscores the importance of legacy and faithfulness in family life. As believers, we are called to nurture and guide the next generation in faith.
God's Timing and PreparationThe mention of Saul's reign during David's youth indicates God's timing in preparing David for future leadership. We should be patient and trust God's timing in our own lives, knowing He is preparing us for His purposes.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 17:12?
2.How does David's family background in 1 Samuel 17:12 shape his character?
3.What can we learn from David's humble beginnings in 1 Samuel 17:12?
4.How does David's lineage connect to God's promises in Scripture?
5.How can we apply David's humility to our daily lives?
6.What role does family heritage play in fulfilling God's purpose for us?
7.How does 1 Samuel 17:12 establish David's humble beginnings before his rise to kingship?
8.What significance does Jesse's lineage have in the context of 1 Samuel 17:12?
9.How does David's role as the youngest son impact his future leadership as seen in 1 Samuel 17:12?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 17?
11.What is David's birthplace?
12.Who is the mother of David?
13.Who was Jesse in the Bible?
14.Who is the mother of David?What Does 1 Samuel 17:12 Mean
Now David was“Now David was…” signals a narrative pivot.
• The focus shifts from armies and kings to one young shepherd (1 Samuel 16:1, 13).
• God’s chosen servant steps into public view, fulfilling1 Samuel 13:14 and echoed later inActs 13:22.
• The word “now” roots the scene in real time, inviting us to watch God’s plan unfold in history, not myth.
the son of a man named Jesse• Scripture anchors David to a real father, Jesse (Ruth 4:17, 22;Matthew 1:6).
• Lineage matters: promises to Judah (Genesis 49:10) travel through Jesse to David and on to Christ (Luke 3:31–32).
• God often works through ordinary families to accomplish extraordinary redemption.
an Ephrathite from Bethlehem of Judah• “Ephrathite” ties Jesse to the ancient clan of Ephrath (Ruth 1:2; 4:11).
• Bethlehem, though small, becomes the cradle of kings (Micah 5:2;Luke 2:4).
• Judah’s territory reminds us that royal authority is destined for this tribe (Genesis 49:10;Revelation 5:5).
who had eight sons• A large household meant blessing (Psalm 127:3–5;Job 42:13).
• David, the youngest (1 Samuel 16:10–11), illustrates how God selects the unlikely (1 Corinthians 1:27–29).
• The number eight hints at new beginnings; God is preparing a fresh chapter for Israel.
in the days of Saul• The backdrop is Saul’s reign (1 Samuel 9:1–2;Acts 13:21).
• Israel’s first king embodies human choice; David will embody divine choice (1 Samuel 15:28; 16:1).
• The contrast frames David’s rise as God’s answer to the nation’s deep need.
Jesse was old and well along in years• Jesse’s age explains why his older sons fight while David stays with the sheep (1 Samuel 17:13–15).
• Scripture often marks a generational handoff at an elder’s advanced years (Genesis 24:1;Joshua 13:1;1 Kings 1:1).
• The scene anticipates a transition from Jesse’s household to David’s throne.
summary1 Sa 17:12 roots the Goliath story in flesh-and-blood history: a real father, a real hometown, a real moment under Saul. Every detail—family line, Bethlehem setting, Jesse’s age—highlights God’s quiet preparation of His chosen king. What seems incidental is intentional; the stage is set for the shepherd who will foreshadow the Shepherd-King to come.
(12)
Now David was the son of that Ephra-thite.--This verse, and the following verses to the end of
1Samuel 17:31, are left out altogether, with
1Samuel 17:55-58, in the Vatican LXX. This omission was, no doubt, owing to the difficulty connected with this mention of David, where he is apparently introduced for the first time into the history; the LXX. translation not un-frequently adding or subtracting from the text when anything met them which they could not readily understand. The passage, as we find it, is undoubtedly genuine; the probable explanation of what puzzled the LXX. is given below.
It is, however, better (with the Syriac Version) to place all the words after "Beth-lehem-judah" down to the end of1Samuel 17:14 in a parenthesis.1Samuel 17:15, after the parenthesis descriptive of Jesse and his three elder sons, takes up the account of David again, thus: "But David went," &c.
Went among men for an old man.--This rendering follows the translation of Jerome's Vulgate, "Senex et grandaevus inter viros," rather than the Hebrew. The literal translation ofba-ba?nashimwould bewent among men.It is best to assume that the verbba-here is used elliptically forba-bayamin,"was advanced in days," that is, "was an old man." Keil rendersbaanashim"among the weak," that is, "Jesse had come to be reckoned among the weak" (or the aged). Maurer and others believe the present Hebrew reading corrupt; the sense, however, is clear.
Jesse is represented in this parenthesis, descriptive of the father of David, for some reason known only to the compiler, as already an old man. Possibly this notice is inserted to explain the reason why the father of the future hero-king of Israel was not among the warriors of Saul. . . .
Verses 12-14. -
Jesse... went among men for an old man in the days of Saul. This translation is taken from the Vulgate; but the Hebrew is, "And the man in the days of Saul was old, gone among men." Some explain this as meaning "placed,"
i.e. "reckoned among men of rank;" but probably an aleph has dropped out in the word rendered men, and we should read
"gone," i.e. "advanced in years." Old is used in a very indefinite way in the Books of Samuel; but as Jesse had eight sons, of whom the youngest was now grown up, he must have been nearly sixty.
Went and followed. Hebrew, "And there went the three elder sons of Jesse went after Saul to the war." Some grammarians consider that this repetition of the verb is intended to give it the force of a pluperfect, - they had gone,-but it is more probably an error, and one of the two verbs should be omitted.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Now Davidוְדָוִד֩(wə·ḏā·wiḏ)Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732:David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jessewas the sonבֶּן־(ben-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121:A sonof a manאִ֨ישׁ(’îš)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376:A man as an individual, a male personnamedוּשְׁמ֣וֹ(ū·šə·mōw)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8034:A nameJesse,יִשַׁ֔י(yi·šay)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3448:Jesse -- father of Davidan Ephrathiteאֶפְרָתִ֜י(’ep̄·rā·ṯî)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 673:Ephraimite -- a descendant of Ephraim, also an inhabitant of Ephrathfromמִבֵּ֥ית(mib·bêṯ)Preposition
Strong's HebrewBethlehemלֶ֙חֶם֙(le·ḥem)Preposition | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1035:Bethlehem -- 'place of bread', a city in Judah, also a city in Zebulunof Judahיְהוּדָ֔ה(yə·hū·ḏāh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063:Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israeliteswho hadוְל֖וֹ(wə·lōw)Conjunctive waw | Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebreweightשְׁמֹנָ֣ה(šə·mō·nāh)Number - masculine singular
Strong's 8083:A cardinal number, eight, eighthsonsבָנִ֑ים(ḇā·nîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1121:A sonin the daysבִּימֵ֣י(bî·mê)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3117:A dayof Saul.שָׁא֔וּל(šā·’ūl)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586:Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two IsraelitesAnd Jesse was oldזָקֵ֖ן(zā·qên)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2204:To be or become oldand advanced [in years].בָּ֥א(bā)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935:To come in, come, go in, go
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OT History: 1 Samuel 17:12 Now David was the son of that (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)