1 Samuel 17:21 nasb — Israel and the Philistines drew up in battle array, army against army.

NASB

"Israel and the Philistines drew up in battle array, army against army."

— 1 Samuel 17:21, NASB

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1 Samuel 17:21 in Other Translations

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1 Samuel 17 — Context

18

"Bring also these ten cuts of cheese to the commander of their thousand, and look into the welfare of your brothers, and bring back news of them.

19

"For Saul and they and all the men of Israel are in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines."

20

So David arose early in the morning and left the flock with a keeper and took the supplies and went as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the circle of the camp while the army was going out in battle array shouting the war cry.

21

Israel and the Philistines drew up in battle array, army against army.

22

Then David left his baggage in the care of the baggage keeper, and ran to the battle line and entered in order to greet his brothers.

23

As he was talking with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine from Gath named Goliath, was coming up from the army of the Philistines, and he spoke these same words; and David heard them.

24

When all the men of Israel saw the man, they fled from him and were greatly afraid.

1 Samuel 17:21 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Samuel 17:21 say?
1 Samuel 17:21 in the NASB reads: “Israel and the Philistines drew up in battle array, army against army.”
Where is 1 Samuel 17:21 in the Bible?
1 Samuel 17:21 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 1 Samuel, chapter 17, verse 21.
Who wrote 1 Samuel?
1 Samuel is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Samuel, Nathan, and Gad). It was written c. 930–722 BC.
What is the book of 1 Samuel about?
1 Samuel marks Israel's transition from judges to kings. It traces the births and ministries of the prophet Samuel, the rise and tragic fall of Saul as Israel's first king, and the anointing of the shepherd boy David, whose faith makes him a man after God's own heart.
What are the major themes of 1 Samuel?
1 Samuel explores themes including Kingship, Prophet, Faith vs. Fear, God's Sovereign Choice, Anointing. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 Samuel 17:21.
What translation should I read 1 Samuel 17:21 in?
1 Samuel 17:21 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 Samuel 17:21?
1 Samuel 17:21 reads (NASB): “Israel and the Philistines drew up in battle array, army against army.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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