Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 17:8-11
1 Samuel 17:8-11 . Let him come down to me That the battle may be decided by us two alone. They were greatly afraid This may seem strange, considering the glorious promises of God, and their late experience of divine assistance. And where was Jonathan, who, in the last war, had so bravely engaged a whole army of the Philistines? Doubtless he did not feel himself so stirred up of God as he did at that time. As the best, so the bravest of men, are no more than what God makes them. Jonathan... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:8-11
He stood and cried unto the armies. Literally, "the ranks," the word being the noun formed from the verb translated set in array, just below. The same word is used throughout (see 1 Samuel 17:10 , 1 Samuel 17:20 , 1 Samuel 17:21 , 1 Samuel 17:22 , 1 Samuel 17:26 , 1 Samuel 17:45 ). Am not I a Philistine? Hebrew, "the Philistine," the champion on their side. I defy the armies. Hebrew, "I have cast scorn or insult upon the ranks of Israel this day." The sense is not so much... read more