34-36. a lion, and a bear—There were two different rencontres, for those animals prowl alone. The bear must have been a Syrian bear, which is believed to be a distinct species, or perhaps a variety, of the brown bear. The beard applies to the lion alone. Those feats seem to have been performed with no weapons more effective than the rude staves and stones of the field, or his shepherd's crook. read more
2. The reason for God’s selection of David ch. 17The exciting story of David and Goliath illustrates what it was that God saw in David’s heart that led Him to choose David for the position of king. It also shows how and why others in Israel began to notice David. David fought the Lord’s battles, as Samuel did (ch. 7). He also did so as Saul, God’s previously anointed king, had done (chs. 10-11, 14-15).Saul’s defeat of the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11:1-11) followed Saul’s anointing (1 Samuel 10:1).... read more
David’s qualifications to fight Goliath 17:31-40When David volunteered to be Israel’s champion, Saul scoffed at him because he evaluated David’s chances for success solely in physical terms, as usual. The Hebrew word na’ar translated "youth" (1 Samuel 17:33) usually describes an older teenager (cf. 1 Samuel 3:1)."The opposite of the fear of the Lord is the fear of man. No greater contrast of these opposing fears could be presented than when David confronted Goliath. Saul and his men feared... read more
David slays Goliath1 Samuel 17:1 to 1 Samuel 18:5 is evidently taken from a different document from 1 Samuel 16:14-23. In 1 Samuel 16:14-23; David is a man of war, and skilful in speech, and an expert harper, and has already become Saul’s musician and armourbearer. In 1 Samuel 17 he is still a shepherd lad, who is personally unknown to Saul. LXX tries to get rid of the difficulty by omitting several vv., but the attempt is not altogether successful.1. Shochoh] identified with Shuweikeh, ’a... read more
(34) Thy servant kept his father’s sheep.—Here follows in the colloquy between the king and the boy that simple brave narrative which children listen to with glowing cheeks—that simple story, bearing the stamp of truth on every word—of what had happened to him in past days. Fierce wild animals, the terror of the Hebrew shepherds, had attacked his flock: these he had met and slain, almost without arms. Another had helped him when he did his brave duty then; and he felt that the same invisible... read more
Whose Son Art Thou, Young Man? 1 Samuel 17:58 When this shepherd boy entered the royal presence with the ghastly trophy, his fingers clutching the hair of Goliath's head, the king looked at him with admiring wonderment, and put the plain, straightforward question of my text, 'Whose son art thou, young man?' It was natural that Saul should wish to know something of the antecedents of so brave a youth. I. If there is anything more utterly contemptible than for one who has risen a bit in the... read more
CHAPTER XXIV.DAVID’S CONFLICT WITH GOLIATH1 Samuel 17:1-58.THESE irrepressible Philistines were never long recovering from their disasters. The victory of Jonathan had been impaired by the exhaustion of the soldiers, caused by Saul’s fast preventing them from pursuing the enemy as far, and destroying their force as thoroughly, as they might have done. A new attack was organized against Israel, headed by a champion, Goliath of Gath, whose height must have approached the extraordinary stature of... read more
2. David and Goliath CHAPTER 17 1. Goliath of Gath, the Philistine (1 Samuel 17:1-11 ) 2. David’s errand and inquiry (1 Samuel 17:12-30 ) 3. David’s offer to fight Goliath (1 Samuel 17:31-40 ) 4. David’s victory (1 Samuel 17:41-54 ) 5. Saul’s inquiry (1 Samuel 17:55-58 ) Modern critics are practically unanimous in regarding the story of this chapter as unhistorical. One of the leading arguments they advance is the statement found in 2 Samuel 21:19 that the slayer of Goliath was... read more
17:34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a {l} lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:(l) David, because of previous experience with God’s help, did not doubt to overcome this danger, seeing as he was zealous for God’s honour. read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 17:34-37
1 Samuel 17:34-37. Thy servant kept his father's sheep— The young hero builds his confidence upon four arguments: 1. Upon the courage and success with which he heretofore combated a lion at one time, and a bear at another; enemies full as terrible as Goliath. 2. Upon Goliath's being uncircumcised, an enemy of the people and covenant of God. 3. Upon the full assurance that God will support any one who shall undertake to punish this monster for his insolent treatment of the Israelites as slaves.... read more