And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.
My Notes
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Gill's Exposition
And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side, Before the Israelites are said to encamp in or by the valley; but here they are said to take…
Barnes' Notes
(In the middle of the broad open valley 1Sa 17:2 is a deep trench 1Sa 17:3 with vertical sides, a valley within a valley: the sides and bed of the trench are strewn with water-worn pebbles. (Conder.))
Adam Clarke
The Philistines stood on a mountain - These were two eminences or hills, from which they could see and talk with each other.
It was not long ago that the Philistines were soundly beaten, and put to the worse, before Israel, and they would have been totally routed if Saul's rashness had not prevented; but here we have them…
Cambridge Bible
on a mountain, &c. Rather, upon the mountain … upon the mountain … and the ravine was between them. The E. V. obliterates the features of the scene. The ravine(Heb. gâî) was the stream-bed at the…