1st Samuel Chapter 17 verse 15 Holy Bible
Now David went to and fro from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Beth-lehem.
read chapter 17 in ASV
Now David went to and from Saul, looking after his father's sheep at Beth-lehem.
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But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.
read chapter 17 in DARBY
But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.
read chapter 17 in KJV
But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Beth-lehem.
read chapter 17 in WBT
Now David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.
read chapter 17 in WEB
and David is going and returning from Saul, to feed the flock of his father at Beth-Lehem.
read chapter 17 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 15. - David went and returned from Saul. This is a very important statement, as it shows that the writer, in spite of what is said in vers. 55-58, knew that David had visited Saul at his court, and become personally known to him. Apparently it had been but a short visit, possibly because after the fit of melancholy had passed away there was no return of it for the present; and if David had been back at Bethlehem for two or three years, a young man changes so much in appearance at David's time of life that it is no wonder that neither Saul nor Abner recognised him in his shepherd's dress. For some reason, then, or other David had not remained with Saul at Gibeah, but had resumed his pastoral life at Bethlehem, and the statements made in 1 Samuel 16:21-23 belong to the time immediately after the combat with Goliath, and not before.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(15) Returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep.--This short statement was, no doubt, introduced by the compiler of the First Book of Samuel to show that, in spite of this apparent introduction of David into the history for the first time in this chapter (see 1Samuel 17:12 and following verses), and the inquiry of King Saul from Abner respecting the young hero's father (see 1Samuel 17:55-58), he, the compiler, was perfectly aware that David had already visited the court of Saul in the capacity of a musician (see 1Samuel 16:18-23). As has been already suggested, these historical books of the Old Testament are, no doubt, made up from contemporaneous documents, stored up most probably in one or other of the prophetic schools. It is, therefore, to be expected that certain facts will be found occasionally repeated. The circumstances connected with the healing influence of the music of David in the case of the soul malady of King Saul were of course preserved with great care and detail in these "schools," where music and poetry were so highly cultivated and esteemed. We have here many of the very words of the original narrative preserved to us. Similarly the story of the first exploit of David is incorporated in the history probably unchanged. Each of these ancient and favourite "memories" of David, as being complete in themselves, would of course contain some of the same details.The apparent ignorance of Saul and Abner respecting the young shepherd's family will be discussed in the note on 1Samuel 17:55-58.