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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/17.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/17.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father&#8217s sheep at Bethlehem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/17.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />but David went back and forth so he could help his father with the sheep in Bethlehem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/17.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />but David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep in Bethlehem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But David occasionally went and returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s flock at Bethlehem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father&#8217s flock at Bethlehem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s flock at Bethlehem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />but David went back and forth from Saul to shepherd his father’s flock at Bethlehem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s flock at Bethlehem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />but David kept going back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s flock in Bethlehem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />but David kept going back and forth from Saul to tend his father&#8217s flock in Bethlehem. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Now David went to and fro from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Beth-lehem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />He took care of his father's sheep, and he went back and forth between Bethlehem and Saul's camp. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Now David went to and fro from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Beth-lehem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />David went back and forth from Saul's camp to Bethlehem, where he tended his father's flock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />David would go back to Bethlehem from time to time, to take care of his father's sheep. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />And David would go back and forth from Saul to tend his father's sheep in Bethlehem. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father?s sheep in Bethlehem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />David was going back and forth from Saul in order to care for his father's sheep in Bethlehem. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Now David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Beth-lehem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and David is going and returning from Saul, to feed the flock of his father at Beth-Lehem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and David is going and returning from Saul, to feed the flock of his father at Beth-Lehem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And David went and turned back from Saul to feed his father's sheep at the House of Bread.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />David went, and returned from Saul, to feed his father's flock at Bethlehem. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />David went away from Saul, and he returned, so that he might pasture the flock of his father at Bethlehem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />David would come and go from Saul’s presence to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />but David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Now David had returned from Saul, and was gone to tend his father's sheep at Beth-lehem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And David returned from the presence of Shaul, and he went on feeding the sheep of his father in Bayth Lekhem<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Now David went to and fro from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Beth-lehem.--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/17-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=4762" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/17.htm">David Accepts the Challenge</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>And David was the youngest. The three oldest had followed Saul, <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: wə·ḏā·wiḏ (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">but David</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: hō·lêḵ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">went back and forth</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: wā·šāḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: mê·‘al (Prep-m) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/7586.htm" title="7586: šā·’ūl (N-proper-ms) -- Passive participle of sha'al; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites.">Saul</a> <a href="/hebrew/7462.htm" title="7462: lir·‘ō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; to tend a flock; i.e. Pasture it; intransitively, to graze; generally to rule; by extension, to associate with.">to tend</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇîw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">his father’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/6629.htm" title="6629: ṣōn (N-csc) -- Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock. Or tsaown; from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock; also figuratively.">sheep</a> <a href="/hebrew/1035.htm" title="1035: bêṯ- (Prep) -- From bayith and lechem; house of bread; Beth- Lechem, a place in Palestine."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1035.htm" title="1035: lā·ḥem (N-proper-fs) -- From bayith and lechem; house of bread; Beth- Lechem, a place in Palestine.">in Bethlehem.</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening to take his stand.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/16-11.htm">1 Samuel 16:11</a></span><br />And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/16-19.htm">1 Samuel 16:19</a></span><br />So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/16-21.htm">1 Samuel 16:21-23</a></span><br />When David came to Saul and entered his service, Saul loved him very much, and David became his armor-bearer. / Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.” / And whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would pick up his harp and play. Then Saul would find relief and feel better, and the spirit of distress would depart from him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/18-2.htm">1 Samuel 18:2</a></span><br />And from that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/18-5.htm">1 Samuel 18:5</a></span><br />So David marched out and prospered in everything Saul sent him to do, and Saul set him over the men of war. And this was pleasing in the sight of all the people, and of Saul’s officers as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/18-12.htm">1 Samuel 18:12-14</a></span><br />So Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. / Therefore Saul sent David away and gave him command of a thousand men. David led the troops out to battle and back, / and he continued to prosper in all his ways, because the LORD was with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/20-6.htm">1 Samuel 20:6</a></span><br />If your father misses me at all, tell him, ‘David urgently requested my permission to hurry to Bethlehem, his hometown, because there is an annual sacrifice for his whole clan.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/20-28.htm">1 Samuel 20:28-29</a></span><br />Jonathan answered, “David urgently requested my permission to go to Bethlehem, / saying, ‘Please let me go, because our clan is holding a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has told me to be there. So now, if I have found favor in your eyes, please let me go and see my brothers.’ That is why he has not come to the king’s table.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/7-8.htm">2 Samuel 7:8</a></span><br />Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My people Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-70.htm">Psalm 78:70-72</a></span><br />He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds; / from tending the ewes He brought him to be shepherd of His people Jacob, of Israel His inheritance. / So David shepherded them with integrity of heart and guided them with skillful hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/89-20.htm">Psalm 89:20</a></span><br />I have found My servant David; with My sacred oil I have anointed him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-55.htm">Matthew 13:55</a></span><br />“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t His mother’s name Mary, and aren’t His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/2-4.htm">Luke 2:4</a></span><br />So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/2-51.htm">Luke 2:51</a></span><br />Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-42.htm">John 7:42</a></span><br />Doesn’t the Scripture say that the Christ will come from the line of David and from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.</p><p class="hdg">returned</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/16-11.htm">1 Samuel 16:11,19-23</a></b></br> And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all <i>thy</i> children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/17-12.htm">Bethlehem</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-12.htm">Beth-Lehem</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-14.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-5.htm">Returning</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-14.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-19.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-13.htm">Tend</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/17-58.htm">Bethlehem</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-58.htm">Beth-Lehem</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-17.htm">David</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/20-27.htm">Returning</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-19.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-20.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/psalms/28-9.htm">Tend</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 17</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/17-1.htm">The armies of the Israelites and Philistines being ready to battle</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/17-4.htm">Goliath challenges a combat</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/17-12.htm">David, sent by his father to visit his brothers, takes the challenge</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/17-28.htm">Eliab chides him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">30. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/17-30.htm">He is brought to Saul</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/17-32.htm">shows the reason of his confidence</a></span><br><span class="reftext">38. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/17-38.htm">and slays the giant</a></span><br><span class="reftext">55. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/17-55.htm">Saul takes notice of David</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/17.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/17.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>but David went back and forth from Saul</b><br>David's role at this time was dual in nature. He served King Saul as a musician to soothe the king's troubled spirit (<a href="/1_samuel/16-21.htm">1 Samuel 16:21-23</a>) and also fulfilled his responsibilities at home. This movement between Saul's court and his father's house highlights David's humility and obedience, as he balanced royal service with familial duties. It also foreshadows his future as a leader who would bridge the gap between the divine and the mundane. The phrase "went back and forth" suggests a period of transition and preparation for David, who would later become Israel's greatest king.<p><b>to tend his father’s sheep</b><br>David's role as a shepherd is significant both historically and theologically. Shepherding was a common occupation in ancient Israel, requiring vigilance, courage, and care—qualities that would later define David's kingship. This experience provided David with the skills necessary for leadership and protection of his people. Biblically, shepherding is a metaphor for leadership (Psalm 23; <a href="/john/10-11.htm">John 10:11</a>), and David's care for his father's sheep prefigures his role as the shepherd of Israel. It also typifies Christ, the Good Shepherd, who tends to His flock with love and sacrifice.<p><b>in Bethlehem</b><br>Bethlehem, known as the "House of Bread," is a small town with significant biblical history. It is the birthplace of David and later, Jesus Christ (<a href="/micah/5-2.htm">Micah 5:2</a>; <a href="/matthew/2.htm">Matthew 2:1</a>). This location ties David to the Messianic prophecy, as the Messiah was foretold to come from David's line and be born in Bethlehem. The town's humble nature contrasts with the greatness of those it produced, emphasizing God's pattern of using the lowly and unexpected to fulfill His purposes. Bethlehem's mention here roots David's story in a specific geographical and theological context, underscoring the divine orchestration of events leading to the coming of Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The youngest son of Jesse, anointed by Samuel to be the future king of Israel. At this point, he is serving both as a shepherd and as a musician in King Saul's court.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a></b><br>The first king of Israel, who is troubled by an evil spirit and finds relief in David's music. He is unaware of David's future role as king.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesse.htm">Jesse</a></b><br>David's father, who lives in Bethlehem. He is a significant figure in David's life, providing him with responsibilities and guidance.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/b/bethlehem.htm">Bethlehem</a></b><br>A small town in Judah, known as the birthplace of David and later, Jesus Christ. It holds significant prophetic importance in the Bible.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/sheep.htm">Sheep</a></b><br>Representing David's humble beginnings and his faithfulness in small tasks, which prepares him for greater responsibilities.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_small_things.htm">Faithfulness in Small Things</a></b><br>David's commitment to tending his father's sheep, despite his role in Saul's court, teaches us the importance of being faithful in small responsibilities. God often uses these experiences to prepare us for greater tasks.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/balancing_multiple_roles.htm">Balancing Multiple Roles</a></b><br>David's ability to serve both Saul and his family demonstrates the importance of balancing different roles and responsibilities in our lives. We should seek God's wisdom in managing our time and duties effectively.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_preparation_and_timing.htm">God's Preparation and Timing</a></b><br>David's journey from shepherd to king illustrates how God prepares us for His purposes in His perfect timing. We must trust in His plan and be patient as He works in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_and_service.htm">Humility and Service</a></b><br>Despite his anointing, David humbly returns to his duties as a shepherd. This teaches us the value of humility and serving others, regardless of our status or future potential.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 17</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_1_chr_17_and_2_sam_7.htm">How do we reconcile the differences between 1 Chronicles 17 and 2 Samuel 7 regarding the details of God's covenant with David?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_david_beat_goliath.htm">How did David defeat the giant Goliath?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_david_merciful_to_saul_in_1_sam_24.htm">Why does David's mercy toward Saul in 1 Samuel 24 contradict other violent actions David takes elsewhere in Scripture?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_david_take_goliath's_head_to_jerusalem.htm">How is it historically accurate that David carried Goliath's head to Jerusalem if it wasn't yet under Israelite control (1 Samuel 17:54)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) <span class= "bld">Returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep.</span>--This short statement was, no doubt, introduced by the compiler of the First Book of Samuel to show that, in spite of this apparent introduction of David into the history for the first time in this chapter (see <a href="/1_samuel/17-12.htm" title="Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.">1Samuel 17:12</a> and following verses), and the inquiry of King Saul from Abner respecting the young hero's father (see <a href="/context/1_samuel/17-55.htm" title="And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As your soul lives, O king, I cannot tell.">1Samuel 17:55-58</a>), he, the compiler, was perfectly aware that David had already visited the court of Saul in the capacity of a musician (see <a href="/context/1_samuel/16-18.htm" title="Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.">1Samuel 16:18-23</a>). As has been already suggested, these historical books of the Old Testament are, no doubt, made up from contemporaneous documents, stored up most probably in one or other of the prophetic schools. It is, therefore, to be expected that certain facts will be found occasionally repeated. The circumstances connected with the healing influence of the music of David in the case of the <span class= "ital">soul malady </span>of King Saul were of course preserved with great care and detail in these "schools," where music and poetry were so highly cultivated and esteemed. We have here many of the very words of the original narrative preserved to us. Similarly the story of the first exploit of David is incorporated in the history probably unchanged. Each of these ancient and favourite "memories" of David, as being complete in themselves, would of course contain some of the same details.<p>The apparent ignorance of Saul and Abner respecting the young shepherd's family will be discussed in the note on <a href="/context/1_samuel/17-55.htm" title="And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As your soul lives, O king, I cannot tell.">1Samuel 17:55-58</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">David went and returned from Saul.</span> This is a very important statement, as it shows that the writer, in spite of what is said in vers. 55-58, knew that David had visited Saul at his court, and become personally known to him. Apparently it had been but a short visit, possibly because after the fit of melancholy had passed away there was no return of it for the present; and if David had been back at Bethlehem for two or three years, a young man changes so much in appearance at David's time of life that it is no wonder that neither Saul nor Abner recognised him in his shepherd's dress. For some reason, then, or other David had not remained with Saul at Gibeah, but had resumed his pastoral life at Bethlehem, and the statements made in <a href="/1_samuel/16-21.htm">1 Samuel 16:21-23</a> belong to the time immediately after the combat with Goliath, and not before. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/17-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">but David</span><br /><span class="heb">וְדָוִ֛ד</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḏā·wiḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> </span><span class="str2">David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">went back and forth</span><br /><span class="heb">הֹלֵ֥ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(hō·lêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵעַ֣ל</span> <span class="translit">(mê·‘al)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Saul</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁא֑וּל</span> <span class="translit">(šā·’ūl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7586.htm">Strong's 7586: </a> </span><span class="str2">Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to tend</span><br /><span class="heb">לִרְע֛וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(lir·‘ō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7462.htm">Strong's 7462: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his father’s</span><br /><span class="heb">אָבִ֖יו</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḇîw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sheep</span><br /><span class="heb">צֹ֥אן</span> <span class="translit">(ṣōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6629.htm">Strong's 6629: </a> </span><span class="str2">Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in Bethlehem.</span><br /><span class="heb">לָֽחֶם׃</span> <span class="translit">(lā·ḥem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1035.htm">Strong's 1035: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bethlehem -- 'place of bread', a city in Judah, also a city in Zebulun</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/17-15.htm">1 Samuel 17:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/17-15.htm">1 Samuel 17:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/17-15.htm">1 Samuel 17:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/17-15.htm">1 Samuel 17:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/17-15.htm">1 Samuel 17:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/17-15.htm">1 Samuel 17:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/17-15.htm">1 Samuel 17:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/17-15.htm">1 Samuel 17:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/17-15.htm">1 Samuel 17:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/17-15.htm">1 Samuel 17:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/17-15.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 17:15 Now David went back and forth (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/17-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 17:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 17:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/17-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 17:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 17:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>