This chapter relates how the armies of Israel, and of the Philistines, prepared for battle, and where, 1Sa 17:1, describes a champion of the Philistines, who defied the armies of Israel, 1Sa 17:4, and while he was so doing, it informs us that David came into the camp, and he heard his words, and signified to one and another his inclination to fight with him, 1Sa 17:12, which being reported to Saul, David was sent for by him, and much discourse passed between them about it, 1Sa 17:31 when we are told the manner in which he engaged with the Philistine, and the victory he obtained over him, 1Sa 17:38 upon which the Philistines fled, and Israel pursued them; and on account of this action David was taken notice of by Saul, and brought to court again, as the following chapter shows, 1Sa 17:52.
Ver. 1. Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle,.... Josephus says this was not long after the things related in the preceding chapter were transacted; and very probably they had heard of the melancholy and distraction of Saul, and thought it a proper opportunity of avenging themselves on Israel for their last slaughter of them, and for that purpose gathered together their dispersed troops:and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah; a city of the tribe of Judah, Jos 15:35, which shows that, notwithstanding their last defeat, they had great footing in the land of Israel, or however had penetrated far into it in this march of theirs:and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah; which were both in the same tribe, and near one another, of which See Gill on "Jos 10:10",See Gill on "Jos 15:35".
in Ephesdammim; which, by an apocope of the first letter, is called Pasdammim, 1Ch 11:13 which the Jews say had this name because there blood ceased. Antiqu. l. 6. c. 9. sect. 1. Midrash Ruth, fol. 48.
2.