1 Samuel 17
DOYLYsoul.] There is no instance in history of two persons
1 Samuel 17:2
- — by the valley of Elah.] “After some miles of hard journey over hills and rocks, we entered the famous Terebinhine vale, renowned for centuries as the field of the victory gained by David over the uncircumcised Philistine. Nothing has occurred to alter the face of the country. The very brook whence David chose the five smooth stones has been noticed by many a thirsty pilgrim, journeying from Jaffa to Jerusalem, all of whom must pass it in their way. The ruins of goodly edifices indeed attest the religious veneration, entertained in later periods for the hallowed spot; but even these are now become so insignificant, that they are scarcely discernible; and nothing can be said to interrupt the native dignity of this memorable scene.” Dr. E. D. Clarke.
1 Samuel 17:4
- — six cubits and a span.] Above eleven feet, according to Bp. Cumberland.
1 Samuel 17:5
- — was five thousand shekels.] The estimate of this weight depends on that of the shekel; it could hardly be less than 150lbs. nor more than 200. The weight of his spear’s head, ver. 7, 600 shekels, was probably from 16 to 24lbs. Script. illust.
1 Samuel 17:6
- — greaves of brass.] These were necessary to defend the legs and feet from the iron stakes placed in the way by the enemy, to gall and wound their opponents: they were a part of ancient military furniture, rendered necessary by the artifices of the contending parties. Burder.
1 Samuel 17:17
- — Take now for thy brethren &c.] It is reasonably supposed, that, in those days, the soldiers went to war at their own charge, or found themselves in provisions. Dr. Wells. It is observable, that David himself was not at first concerned in the war, and only went to the army apparently by accident. In all this, the particular hand of Providence is visible, which thus disposed circumstances for the exaltation of David, when he thought nothing of it; and, from the lowly condition of life in which he had been brought up, made him
his brethren in the camp, accepteth the challenge. Before CHRIST about 1063. cheese of milk. captain of a thousand. the carriage. array, or, place of fight. the vessels from upon him. asked his brethren of peace. his face. b Josh. 15. 16. the deliverer of his people, and afterwards their king. Ostervold.
1 Samuel 17:18
- — take their pledge.] The meaning of this phrase is not clear. According to some, it means that he should bring something from them which might certify Jesse of their health. Others translate the word, not pledge, but business; and understand the sense to be, Bring me word what they do, how they behave themselves, with whom they associate, &c. Bp. Patrick. Perhaps the pledge is meant which they gave for the purchase of this food. Houbigant.
1 Samuel 17:22
- — left his carriage] In which he had brought the provision sent by his father. Bp. Patrick.
1 Samuel 17:25
- — make his father’s house free] Free from tribute and taxes: this was a royal privilege, and ennobled the family on which it was conferred. Dr. Wells. 26. — What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, &c.] The workings of David’s modesty and valour are finely painted in these questions. His modesty would not suffer him directly and openly to accept the challenge, and profess himself Goliath’s antagonist; and yet the fortitude of his own beating VOL. I. ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren;
1 Samuel 17:28
- — And Eliab’s anger was kindled] Eliab, who knew David’s spirit, soon perceived his design; and, filled with indignation lest David should achieve what he himself had not dared to undertake, reproved him with the most taunting questions, as if nothing but vanity and a vicious curiosity had drawn him thither. Dr. Delaney.
1 Samuel 17:29
- — Is there not a cause?] Is there not just cause for my offering myself to encounter this giant, since none other is bold enough to take away this reproach from Israel, and our God? Dr. Wells. David has first to overcome his brethren’s envy, before he engages the proud Philistine; but his greatest victory is over himself. His meekness does this; his faith and love to God did the other. His mild answer, “Is there not a cause?” implied both, and shewed at once his virtue and his piety. He is fittest to be God’s champion, who has learnt to master his own passions. Wogan.
1 Samuel 17:33
- — Thou art not able to go] Meaning, “Thou
1 Samuel 17:34
- — Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, &c.] This relation of David’s is admirable for its artless simplicity, and for the united dignity and humility of mind which it displays. Self-praise is, for the most part, offensive to the human ear, as proceeding from self-love and intemperate vanity; but yet when it is extorted, as it was on this occasion, nothing can be more becoming or more noble: it is then adorned with all the dignity of self-defence, under a false imputation of the heaviest guilt. And David’s temperance and modesty in reciting his own praises are remarkable. He describes his combat with the lion in the shortest and simplest narration that ever was made of such a combat, and, as if to avoid dwelling on his own exploits, says no more of his combat with the bear, than merely that he slew him; and as if this had been too much, he concludes all in the style of a man, who had been delivered by God, not who had conquered by his own prowess. Dr. Delaney.
1 Samuel 17:36
- — seeing he hath defied &c.] Here we see that David’s confidence of success is founded on Goliath’s blasphemy; he felt assured that God would prosper him in his combat with such a blasphemer, as formerly with the lion and the bear. Dr. Delaney.
1 Samuel 17:37
- — The Lord hath delivered me, &c.] The seal which David evinced on this occasion, his noble confidence before Saul in the Divine protection, his trusting
had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
1 Samuel 17:39
- — for he had not proved it.] He had not been accustomed to use arms of this description, and therefore requested permission to lay them aside, as rather likely to encumber him than to facilitate his enterprise. Bp. Patrick.
1 Samuel 17:46
- — This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand;] In saying this, David does not vainly and rashly boset beforehand of the victory, as Goliath had done; but, being full of faith, he praised the Divine Omnipotence, and prophesied of an assured victory. Bp. Patrick.
David excelled not only king Saul, but perhaps all other kings that ever reigned, in this; that, as he rejoiced to do the will of God, and to fight His battles, so he went about his work with a singular alacrity, a marvellous affiance in God, and dependence on His arm for succour and assistance. When he heard the proud boastings of this Philistine, his seal was fired for God and his country. He considered his gigantick enemy no otherwise than the lion or bear, who came to devour his flock. He knew that by the general law and sentence of God the Philistines were doomed to destruction, and that Goliath had more particularly de-
Before CHRIST about 1068. thee up. slayeth the giant. Saul taketh notice of David. Before CHRIST about 1063. and spear: for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hands.
1 Samuel 17:47
- — for the battle is the Lord’s, &c.] What a strain of piety pervades these words of David! How it must have filled the hearts of the people with inexpressible joy, to hear their young shepherd speak so like a prophet, priest, and king; so incomparably beyond any thing they could expect from his age and experience! It is plain that, even at this time, David was inspired with a large measure of the Spirit of God. Reading.
1 Samuel 17:51
- — cut off his head] This was customary in those countries. Niebuhr presents us with a similar scene, where he relates, that the son of an Arab chief killed his father’s enemy and rival, and, according to the custom of the Arabs, cut off his head and carried it in triumph to his father. He adds in a note, cutting off the head of a slam enemy, and carrying it in triumph, is an ancient custom. Burder.
1 Samuel 17:54
- — put his armour in his tent.] The armour was afterwards in the holy tabernacle, as was the sword, to remain there for a trophy. Bp. Patrick.
1 Samuel 17:58
- — Whose son art thou, thou young man?] It may seem extraordinary that Saul should know nothing of David, who had so very lately attended on him at his court. It should be observed, however, that Saul does not ask who David himself is, for he and those about