Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 17:1-11
The Philistine challenge 17:1-11The Elah (Oak) Valley is an S-shaped valley just south of the Sorek Valley, where Samson earlier lived. It runs east and west parallel to it. Socoh stood to the east and Azekah to the west. Some authorities believe Ephes-dammim stood west of Socoh and south of Azekah, but its location is debated. Gath was 7 miles to the west and was the closest Philistine town."That Saul now came to meet the Philistines, even at the west end of the Elah Valley-and so before the... read more
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 17:1
1. the Philistines gathered together their armies—twenty-seven years after their overthrow at Michmash. Having now recovered their spirits and strength, they sought an opportunity of wiping out the infamy of that national disaster, as well as to regain their lost ascendency over Israel. Shocoh—now Shuweikeh, a town in the western plains of Judah ( :-), nine Roman miles from Eleutheropolis, toward Jerusalem [ROBINSON]. Azekah—a small place in the neighborhood. Ephes-dammim—or, "Pas-dammim" (... read more