1 Samuel 17

A “COMMENTARY UPON [chap, xyit? pose, in the same tribe, for their armies were not far one from anothfer. And set the battle in array against the Philistines. As ready, and desirous to fight them. ^Ver. 3. And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and the Israelites on a mountain on the other side: and thete was a valley between them**] After they had faced one another some time, and neither side thought fit to engage and begin to fight, they drew up their armies upon two opposite mountains, which were parted by a valley. sited them to repeat the king’s promise; signifying that he would undertake to encounter Goliath. For who is this ttneircumcised, that he should defy the armies of the living God?] He would not have them think he was moved by the hope of the reward (which was not to be despised) so much as by zeal for God, and for his country: which suffered by the reproaches of one, who Was not in covenant with God: and therefore he did not fear him, nor would suffer him any longer to make such proud J)oastin£. chartus observes, were famous slingers; from whom this art was derived to the Baleares. (See Hierozoicon, par. i. lib. ii. cap. 44.) And he drew near to the Philistine.’] It seems David made the first motion towards him, to shew he was in no fear of him.

1 Samuel 17:1

^iND the Philistines gathered their armies together unto battle. In what year of Saul’s reign this.was, we are not; told: but J osephus thinks it.was;not long, after the things related ill the foregoing chapter. For so his •words are, xpovotg dl vartgov ov 7roAAote, not many years after, &c. For. the Philistines having received a great defeat (chap, xiv.) resolved to be revenged, and thought they had a fair opportunity, when they heard that §aul was distracted. And were gathered together at Shochoh which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim*] See Josh. xv. 35. By this it appears, that the Philistines invaded the country of the Israelites, and possessed themselves of some parts of it. That place here called Ephes-dammim, by taking away the letter aleph, is called Pas-dammim, 1 Chron. xi. 13. Vor. 2. And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley qfElah.] A place, I sup- 2N2

1 Samuel 17:4

And there ivent oxit a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath ofGath. For to this city “the Anakims fled when Joshua rooted them out of the land of Canaan; (Josh. xi. 22, 23.) And here they propagated a race of giants’; that is, people of great stature and strength. Whose height iva’s six dibits anda span.] A great number of “authors write of such men of vast stature in ancient times. ■ See Magius de Gigantibus, and Casp. Schottus; but especially Hermanrius Conringius, in his book de Antiquo Statu Holmstadii, and in another book, de Habitu Corporum Germanorum; where he shews the ancient Germans were <rf a vast size, as Caesar relates in his book’de Bello Gal. where he calls them " immani corporum magnitudine’homines,” men of a huge greatness of body. And Pomponius Mela and others say the same. In short, they were generally seven feet high. And now at this day, there is a whole nation on the north side of the strait of Magellan, <€ immani corporum vastitate,” as he there observes, p. 37.

1 Samuel 17:5

And he had a helmet of brass upon his head; and he’was armed with a coat of mail. With plates of brass^ laid one upon another like fishes’ scales., So Bochartus, in liis Phaleg. lib. iii. cap. 13. And the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of •6nz$$.]‘This shews he was a man of vast strength: who was able to* walk and to fight with such prodigious armour: which was” impenetrable. Yet this is not to be understood, as Fortunatus Scacchus thinks, as if the coat weighed so’Much, for it would have been insupportable; but that it’cost’so much, or was valued at five thousand shekels of brass, (Myrothec. vol. ii. p. 33.)

1 Samuel 17:6

And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders,. That he might be no where vulnerable. For the. target defended his neck as w T ell as his shoulders. * Ven 71 And the staff of his spear ivas like a weaver’s beam; and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels 6f iroft.] This was one of his offensive weapons: by which the largeness of his sword may be measured.’’■ And one bearing a shield went before him.] Which was proportionable, no doubt, to his bulk: and was carried before him* when he made his challenge,.for the greater state’s sake’; but/ when he fought, I suppose, was used by himself.

1 Samuel 17:8

AndJie stood and cried unto the armies of Israel. They were divided, it seems, into several bodies, called here armies: and they could hear one another from the mountains on which they were encamped; and Goliath came dowri into the valley, and there challenged any body to come and fight with him in the sight of both armies. Why are ye come out to set your battle in array?] He charges them with presumption/ in offering to make war with the Philistines, whq were so much superior to them. Am not I a Philistine, andyou servants of Saul?] Whodoubted of this, that he was a Philistine, and they Saul’s subjects? The meaning thereof is, as Abarbinel explains it, that he was one of the lords of the Philistines, a chiefruler in Gath, subject to none; and yet would condescend to fight with any of Saul’s servants: who, in comparison with him, ho looked upon as no better than slaves. The Targum will have it, that he brags of his great deeds: particularly that he had killed Hophni and Phinehas with his own hand, and taken the ark of God captive; and therefore wonders at their presumption, that they should cometo fight with those who had gained such victories over them. Which is not likely, for they had since that been* beaten twice by the Israelites. Choose you a man for you, and let him come doivn to me.J He’propouhds the deciding of their “quarrel by a single combat: which seems to have been done out of a bravado, rather than from any examples of those ancient tiines,o£ ending quarrels in this manner: for though it looks like a charitable design to prevent much bloodshed; yet no nation sure was willing to venture its whole well-being upon one single man’s good success. AVe Tead, indeed, as I observed” uponxiv.10. of two or. three single combats, before the armies of the two nations crigaged," but they wero not intended to be’decisive of the quarrel between them. This therefore* was, as I said before, a high rant of Goliath’s, proceeding from the high opinion he had of his matchless strength: which made him brag,.as if he was the support of the" whole nation: which must stand or fall together with him.’

1 Samuel 17:9

If he be able to fight with me and kill me, then will we be your servants; but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be bur servants, and serve us. These conditions were never accepted, though Saul sought for n man to fight: but quite contrary, they were so far frorri being agreed on by either side, that the Philistines did not yield themselves slaves to the Israelites upon the death of Goliath; but fled to their own country, and there defended themselves against them, and fought many battles with them.

1 Samuel 17:10

And the Philistine said, I defy the arrnies of Israel this day; give vie a man that we may fight together,. He expresses the utmost contempt of their whole army:- in which he signifies there was not a man that durst look him in the face.

1 Samuel 17:11

^iVhen Saul and all Israel heard these words ofthe Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid. For * though Saul had not quite lost his courage, but gathered an army to fight the Philistines-, yet it was not so undaunted as it had been before the Spirit of God forsook him: and the people’s spirits sink, when their leaders flag and are dismayed. •

1 Samuel 17:12

Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Beth’lehem of Judah, whose name was Jesse. He being chosen by God to combat with Goliath, the Divine writer gives an account who he was, and what relations he had. He had eight sons.] In the first book of the Chronicles (ii. 13 — 15.) there are but seven mentioned: one being dead without children, as R. Solomon thinks; or being only an adopted son. And the man was accounted an old man in the days of Saul.] And therefore excused from going to the war.

1 Samuel 17:13

And the three eldest so?is went and followed Saul irii wf wvvn CHAP. XVII. THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. to battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the war were Eliab the first-born, &c] These, I suppose, were men of the greatest experience and strength; and thereforo fittest for the service.

1 Samuel 17:14

And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul. David being young, was not piut to • the hardships of war: but the eldest only undertook to serve their prince and their country in this time of common danger. ■'

1 Samuel 17:15

But David went and returned from Sazil to feed his fathers sheep at Beth4ehem. In the beginning of this war, as Josephus thinks, Saul sent David home to his father, apicov/uvoc avrov roXg Tpi<A vlolg, &c. contenting himself with three of his sons, who came to his assistance, with the hazard of their lives. J 1 • •, r Ver. 1G. -And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days!] This is an argument the Philistines could not force the camp of the. Israelites: otherwise they would not have spent so much time in this bravado. Unless we suppose, as Abarbinel doth, that all this time more forces were marching to this place, as their general rendezvous, both from the country of the Philistines, and from the’land of Israel: for such great armies could not suddenly be got together. Or some wise men on both sides were treating all this time, to see’’ if they could bring matters to an accommodation. It is a mere fancy of 11. Jonathan, in the Gemara oftheMischna, title Sota, that Goliath drew near morning and evening, that he might disturb the Israelites at their morning and evening prayers, and hinder them from reciting them.

1 Samuel 17:17

And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah.of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to thy brethren. For he did not know but provision might be scarce with them; or, as some will have it, he was informed they were under some hardship; and desired to know how they did. But having other sons’ at home with him, it was by a Divine direction that he sent Darid from the sheep upon this errand… i.‘i’,

1 Samuel 17:18

And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand. Whose favour might be very serviceable to them. • - •" And look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.] Some think that they went to war, in those days, at their own charge, and were not paid by the king. Provision therefore beginning to fail, Jesse’s sons had sent to him for a supply, and by a certain token. Which their father bids David take with him, to know if it were theirs. So some expound the word pledge. But others think that if they had borrowed money, or pawned any thing for it, he ordered David to redeem it: or that he should bring something from them, that might certify him of their health. Others translate the word not pterin but business: and take the sense to be, Bring me word what, they do; how they behave themselves; what company they keep, and whom they associate themselves withal.

1 Samuel 17:19

And Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel were m the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. They were now drawn up in battalia (as we speak) ready to engage: not in the valley, but hard by it, on the side of the mountain, where they faced the Philistines, and shewed themselves resolved to fight, if they came down from the other mountain.

1 Samuel 17:20

And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as’ Jesse had commanded him; arid he came to the’ trench as the host ivas going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle.] By,the trench, may be meant the carriages (as we translate the word in the margin), wherewith the host was surrounded; instead. of a trench made about it..;',

1 Samuel 17:21

For Israel and the Philistines had jnit the battle in array, army against army. This is the reason of what, follows……..,

1 Samuel 17:22

And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage. He left the provision which his father had sent his brethren with his servant, it being no time to* present it to them, when they were just going to engage. And ran unto the army, and came and saluted his brethren;]. Acquainting them, no doubt, with their father’s care of them…,.. • ■ r,:

1 Samuel 17:23

And as he talked with them, behold, there came np the champion (the Philistine of Gath; Goliath by name) out of the army of the Philistines^ and spake according to the same words; and David heard them.] Though the armies stood ready to engage, yet the vanity of Goliath made him once more desire the matter might be determined by a single combat.

1 Samuel 17:24

And all the men of Israel; when they saw the man; fled from him. and were sore of raid.] They that could look.the whole arfnyof the Philistines in the-face (among whom they knew Goliath was), oue would think should not flee at the sight of one man. But the meaning is (as the nextwords shew), they could not endure to hear his opprobrious-words against them, and his blasphemous words against God. *,.

1 Samuel 17:25

And the men of Israel said, Have you seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come np. They bewailed among themselves their sad.condition; that all the people of Israel should be set at nought, and vilified byoneman; who despised both them and their God,(ver.45.) And it shall be, that. the. man who frillethhim, the king’ will enrich him with great riches, and give him his daughter, and make his father s house free in Israel.] To’make his fa-" mily free in Israel, was to make them noble. And the Tar 7 gum translates it, make them free princes in Israel: particularly free from paying any tribute or, taxes, which was a royal privilege; of which see Selden, lib. vi.de Jure’Nat. et* Gentium, cap. 14*. fol. 740. Here some observe, that Saul had lost his wonted piety; for he sent not to Samuel, nor consulted the high-priest, nor offered sacrifice: but only proclaimed a great reward to him that should, fight with Goliath, and kill him. Which shewed he had not lost all prudence: for thus Caleb won Kirjath-sepher, by offering his daughter in* marriage to him that should take it. And David himself afterward encoiiraged his soldiers to assault the strong fort of Zion, by promising to m&ke hini commander-in-chief of all his forces, who should first entqr it. Thus Mathias Hostius observes, the Athenians offered a hundred talents to him that should bring Xerxes to them alive or dead: many more instances of this way of exciting men to valiant exploits he gives in his history of this monomachia. <’ Ver. 26/ And David spake to the mtn that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that kills this Philistine, and takes away the reproach from Israel?] He de-

1 Samuel 17:27

And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done unto the man that killethhim. They all confirmed what was before said.

1 Samuel 17:28

And Eliab his elder brother heard when he spake unto the men: and his anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why earnest thou down hither?. His passkm made him forget that he came by his father’s order, to see how they did, &c. And with wliom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness?] This intimates, that he was fitter to look after sheep, than to fight a giant. I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down to see the battle.’] Vain-glory he thought brought him to the battle: and now made him offer to run such a desperate adventure,

1 Samuel 17:29

And David said, What have I done? Js there not a cause?. He justifies his discourse; since no man, no, not Eliab himself, had the courage to wipe off the reproach which Goliath cast upon them all. *

1 Samuel 17:30

And he turned from him to another, and spake after the same manner: and tlie people answered him again after the same manner J. He told them he would undertake to fight Goliath; and they told him what would be his reward if he killed him.

1 Samuel 17:31

And when the words were lieard tlvat David /spake, they rehearsed them before Saul; and he sent for him. They had been spoken to so many, that at last they came to Saul’s ear: who desired to he&r himself what he « said. *

1 Samuel 17:32

And David said unto Saul:. Who had told him what he heard reported of his resolution. Let no man’s heart faint because of him; for thy servant it-ill go and fight with this Philistine.] In assured hope of victory.

1 Samuel 17:33

And Saul said unto David, Thou art not able to go aga\nst this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. This Saul spake out of kindness to David, whom ho would not have to hazard himself against an old soldier, when he was inexperienced in war.

1 Samuel 17:34

And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep; and there came a lion and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock. Not both together (as Castalio supposes in his translation), but at several times; and it is likely more’ than once.

1 Samuel 17:35

And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered him out of his mouth: and when he rose up against me, I caught him by the beardland smote him, and slew him. Sometimes he pursued the lion and killed him in his flight: or, if he turned again to’devour him^ he boldly caught him by the beard and killed him. And in like manner we arc to understand he encountered the bear.

1 Samuel 17:36

Thy servant slew boln the lion and the bear. The author of Halicoth Olam, by a strange fetch, concludes from hence, that he killed a lion with two of her whelps, and a bear with one of her cubs. (Par. iv. cap. 3.) And this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one oftliem, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.] He encourages himself by three arguments. His mastery over such terrible creatures as a lion and a bear: which made him not fear this great beast, Goliath. Who was not one 6f God’s people: whom he had insolently set at nought as varlets and slaves, (ver. 8.) though they were the servants of the living God.

1 Samuel 17:37

David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear. In the Hebrew it is, out of the Itand of the lion, and otit of the hand of the bear. And Aristotle observes, that bears have paws, Xepaiv ouolovg, resembling hands. He wilt deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.] To silence all objections, he declares that he was possessed with a full persuasion, that God would deliver this Philistine into his hands, as he had done the’ lion and the bear: for he felt himself full of that spirit which then assisted him. Abarbinel thinks, that he repeats this so often, because Saul did not seem to believe it, or did not attend to it: and therefore he saith over again, ver. 37. what he had said, ver. 36. And tells him it was not by his own strength, but by the mighty power of God, that he overcame those furious beasts: as he doubted not he should do* this Philistine by the same power. Whereupon Saul prayed God to prosper him. And Saul said, Go, and the Lord be unth thee.] As he believed he would.

1 Samuel 17:38

And Satd armed David with his armour, &c. Not that which he was wont to wear himself (for he was so tall it would not have fitted David), but he ordered them to bring out of his armoury a helmet and a coat of mail, as it here follows.

1 Samuel 17:39

And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go;for Jie Jiad not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not ^proved them. And David put them off him.] He was not accustomed to AVefcx such things, not being used to go armed: and, therefore, begged leave to lay them aside; as likely rather to encumber him, * than facilitate his enterprise. Which Machiavel, in his Princeps, cap. 13. applies to the danger of employing mercenary soldiers: for " aliena arma aut ex humeris decidunt, aut sunt tibi oneri, aut te constrictum tenent."

1 Samuel 17:40

And he took his staff in his hand. His shepherd’s staff. And chose him five smooth stones out of the brook.] Or rather five cleft stones: not whole and entire, but broken. •For the word signifies partitions; and, therefore, denotes the stones to have been ragged; and sharp pointed were most fit for his purpose. (See De Dicu.) And put them in a shepherd’s bag u)hich he had, even in a scrip.] Which hungby his side. * And his sting was in his hand.] A sort of weapon, in the management of which some were wonderful skilful in ancient days. (See Judg. xx. 16.) And Livy, with other authors, mention slingers that could hit a mark at a very great distance: particularly the Phoenicians, who, as Bo-

1 Samuel 17:41

And the Philistine came, and drew near to David; and the man that bare the shield went before him. As he was wont to do, (ver. 7.)

1 Samuel 17:42

And when the Philistine looked about and saw David. He expected some tall, robust person to encounter him; and, therefore, at the first did not mind David, who was but a stripling. He disdained him; for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.] He contemned him upon three accounts: as being a youth, unaccustomed to war; and being beautiful, seemed more fit to dance with women, than to fight with men; and he came also unarmed. (See xvi. 12.)

1 Samuel 17:43

And the Philistine said, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves f And he cursed David by his gods J. So the Romans were wont to do, saying, " Dii Deaeque te perdant:" as Goliath, it is likely, now wished, that Dagon and Ashtaroth, and the rest of his gods, would confound David.

1 Samuel 17:44

And the Philistine said unto David, Come unto me, and I will give thy flesh unto thefotvls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. For in his hand David was no more than a little lamb in the hand of a butcher.

1 Samuel 17:45

Tlien said David to the Philistine, TJiou comest tome with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield; but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts. By a commission from Him who commands all creatures in heaven and earth: and in a full assurance that he will deliver thee into my hand. Concerning the word chidon, which wc translate a spear, see Bochart in his Hieroz. par. i. p. 138. The God oftlie armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.] The leader and protector of those armies whom Goliath had set at nought.

1 Samuel 17:46

This day will the Lord deliver thee into my hand; and I will smite thee, and take thy head off from thee. Which Goliath thought impossible, he having no sword by his side. And will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the earth.] David did not rashly and vainly boast beforehand of the victory, as Goliath hath done: but, being full of faith (as Pcllicanus Tiere notes), praised the Divine omnipotence, and prophesied of an assured victory. That all the earth may know there is a God in Israel.] Superior to all other.

1 Samuel 17:47

And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not by sword and by spear. They might learn, if they pleased, that the Lord needed not human force to effect his designs. David did not want courage: but ho ascribes all to God; in whose power and might he went forth, and not his own. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.] The battle was properly theXord’s against the seven nations of Canaan: because he had commanded them to be extirpated. But in all other battles he disposed of the victory ashe pleased. Strigelius here notes out of Sophocles the profane spirit of Ajax; who was therefore punished with madness: because his father Telamon piously admonishing him, as he went to war, to fight bravely, but to expect victory from God; he impiously answered, that " cowards might overcome by the help of God, but he doubted not to overcome without him."

1 Samuel 17:48

And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew near to meet David. Having nothing but victory in his thoughts, as Pellicanus here observes, he arose, and marched gravely, and pompously, covered over with armour, and fearing nothing. That Davidhasted, and ran towards the army to meet th$ Philistine.] But David, being loaded with no armour, nimbly jan towards him, and knocked him down; before he had so much as drawn his sword out of his sheath.

1 Samuel 17:49

And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and smote the Philistine in his forehead. Which either was bare (he perhaps contemning David so much, as not to pull down his helmet over his face), or else was thrown with such a force, that it pierced his helmet first, apd then his forehead: or went in at the place which was left open for his eyes. However it was, the Divine hand directed it: for though there were men so wonderful skilful as to hit a mark that was fixed and immoveable, though small and at a distance; yet none had such admirable skill as to be sure to hit a mark that was in motion, as Goliath’s body was at this time. *; And the stone sunk into his forehead.] Pierced into his brain, so that he immediately, as it here follows, fell uppn his face to the earth. Kimcii thinks, that when he said to David, Come, and I will give thy flesh to the fowls of the air, he looked up, and his helmet then fell from off his head.

1 Samuel 17:50

So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him. So true is that of Vegetius, (lib. i. cap. 6.) " Utilius est fortes esse milites, quam grandes." But it was not mere fortitude and valour that prevailed, but the Spirit of God. But there was no sword in the hand of David.] This was so wonderful a thing, that so great a victory should be obtained without the usual warlike weapons, that it was thought fit a special mark should be set upon it.. Ver. &L Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Phi* listine.].That he might complete his victory, and make it notorious to all the army. And took his sword, and dreiv it out of its sheath.] He was strong, not merely by nature, but by the power of God: otherwise he could not have well managed the sword of a giant. And slew him, and, cut off his head therewith,] It is likely the stone had only stunned him; but his life.was still in him after this blow in his forehead: and therefore now he quite dispatched him. And when the Philistines saw, their champion,w<ts dead, tJteyfled.] Having Jost all their courage with his life.

1 Samuel 17:52

And the men of Israel and ofJudah arose, and shouted. As they used to do when they had got the victory. And pursued the Philistines, till they came to the valley, and to the gates ofEkron, &c] They pursued them to their own country (which was in a valley), even to the gates L of their principal cities; as Gath and Ekron wore.