1 Samuel 17:20-22

EXPOSITION

He came to the trench. More probably the barricade, or outer circle of defence for their camp, made of their wagons (see on 1 Samuel 10:22 ). Strictly the word means a wagon track, but the primary meaning of the verb is to be round. This was the shape of camps in old time, and they were protected against surprise by having the wagons and baggage placed round them. The word occurs again in 1 Samuel 26:5 , 1 Samuel 26:7 . The latter part of the verse is literally, "And he came to the circle of the wagons, and to the host that was going forth to the array; and they shouted for the battle." If the article be omitted before "going forth," for which there is some authority, the rendering of the A.V. would be right. David left his carriage. I.e. that which he was carrying. The word is rendered stuff in 1 Samuel 10:22 ; 1 Samuel 25:13 ; 1 Samuel 30:24 . Literally the word means utensils, and so whatever he had with him for any purpose (comp. Acts 21:15 ). Ran into the army. Literally, "to the array," "to the ranks," the place where the troops were drawn up (see 1 Samuel 30:10 ).