This verse from 1 Samuel 17:24 refers to the Israelites' reaction to seeing Goliath, the Philistine giant who challenged them to single combat. Let's break it down:
"All the men of Israel...": This emphasizes that the entire Israelite army, not just a few individuals, was affected.
"...when they saw the man...": "The man" refers to Goliath. His sheer size and imposing presence were immediately apparent.
"...fled from him...": This indicates a panicked retreat. They were so intimidated that their instinct was to run away.
"...and were terrified.": This is the key to understanding the verse. The word "terrified" (or similar words like "greatly afraid" in some translations) conveys the intense fear and dread that Goliath inspired. They were not just a little scared; they were profoundly frightened.
In essence, the verse highlights the overwhelming fear and intimidation that Goliath instilled in the Israelite army due to his immense size, strength, and the audacity of his challenge. This fear paralyzed them and prevented them from engaging with the Philistines. It sets the stage for David, the unlikely hero, to step forward and confront the giant.
This verse from 1 Samuel 17:24 refers to the Israelites' reaction to seeing Goliath, the Philistine giant who challenged them to single combat. Let's break it down:
"All the men of Israel...": This emphasizes that the entire Israelite army, not just a few individuals, was affected.
"...when they saw the man...": "The man" refers to Goliath. His sheer size and imposing presence were immediately apparent.
"...fled from him...": This indicates a panicked retreat. They were so intimidated that their instinct was to run away.
"...and were terrified.": This is the key to understanding the verse. The word "terrified" (or similar words like "greatly afraid" in some translations) conveys the intense fear and dread that Goliath inspired. They were not just a little scared; they were profoundly frightened.
In essence, the verse highlights the overwhelming fear and intimidation that Goliath instilled in the Israelite army due to his immense size, strength, and the audacity of his challenge. This fear paralyzed them and prevented them from engaging with the Philistines. It sets the stage for David, the unlikely hero, to step forward and confront the giant.