“And the men of Israel and of Judah arose and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.”
This verse is found in the context of the famous account of David and Goliath, which showcases David’s victory over the Philistine giant.
Here is the verse in question:This verse concludes the narrative of the battle between David and Goliath and describes the aftermath of David’s triumph.
Here are some key points to consider in this Bible study:
- Triumph through God’s intervention:The victory over Goliath was not achieved by David’s strength alone but by the Lord’s help. David boldly trusted in God and defeated the giant using a slingshot and a stone. This verse emphasises that it was God’s intervention that gave the Israelites the confidence to pursue the Philistines and achieve a decisive victory.
- United effort of Israel and Judah:The verse mentions that “the men of Israel and of Judah arose and shouted” before pursuing the Philistines. This highlights the unity among the Israelite tribes in response to David’s victory. Previously, the Israelite army had been paralysed with fear, but now they were motivated to pursue and engage the enemy.
- Pursuit to the gates of Ekron:The pursuit of the Philistines led the Israelites all the way to the valley and the gates of Ekron, a prominent Philistine city. This demonstrates the extent to which the Israelites pursued their defeated enemies. It symbolises their determination not only to repel the immediate threat but also to push back the Philistines from their territory.
- The wounded of the Philistines:The verse mentions that “the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.” This implies that in their pursuit, the Israelites inflicted casualties on the Philistines, causing them to retreat and leaving their wounded behind. It further emphasises the Israelites’ success in battle.
