1 Samuel 17:47

Authorized King James Version

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And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.

Original Language Analysis

וְיֵֽדְעוּ֙ shall know H3045
וְיֵֽדְעוּ֙ shall know
Strong's: H3045
Word #: 1 of 16
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 2 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַקָּהָ֣ל And all this assembly H6951
הַקָּהָ֣ל And all this assembly
Strong's: H6951
Word #: 3 of 16
assemblage (usually concretely)
הַזֶּ֔ה H2088
הַזֶּ֔ה
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 4 of 16
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 5 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֛א H3808
לֹ֛א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 6 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
בְּחֶ֥רֶב not with sword H2719
בְּחֶ֥רֶב not with sword
Strong's: H2719
Word #: 7 of 16
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
וּבַֽחֲנִ֖ית and spear H2595
וּבַֽחֲנִ֖ית and spear
Strong's: H2595
Word #: 8 of 16
a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent)
יְהוֹשִׁ֣יעַ saveth H3467
יְהוֹשִׁ֣יעַ saveth
Strong's: H3467
Word #: 9 of 16
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
לַֽיהוָה֙ is the LORD'S H3068
לַֽיהוָה֙ is the LORD'S
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 10 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּ֤י H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 11 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לַֽיהוָה֙ is the LORD'S H3068
לַֽיהוָה֙ is the LORD'S
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 12 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה for the battle H4421
הַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה for the battle
Strong's: H4421
Word #: 13 of 16
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
וְנָתַ֥ן and he will give H5414
וְנָתַ֥ן and he will give
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 14 of 16
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶתְכֶ֖ם H853
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
Strong's: H853
Word #: 15 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּיָדֵֽנוּ׃ you into our hands H3027
בְּיָדֵֽנוּ׃ you into our hands
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 16 of 16
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

Analysis & Commentary

And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.

The declaration 'the battle is the LORD's' (ki YHWH hamilchamah) expresses the central theological truth of this narrative. God does not merely help in battle; the battle belongs to Him. 'Not with sword and spear' negates human military confidence while affirming divine sovereignty. This principle echoes throughout Scripture: 'Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD' (Zechariah 4:6).

Historical Context

Ancient near eastern royal inscriptions invariably credited military victories to national deities. Israel's distinctive contribution was absolute attribution of victory to Yahweh alone, with human warriors as mere instruments. David's statement represents this theology's clearest expression.

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