John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 17:1-58
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
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 17:41-49
David’s victory by faith 17:41-49Goliath disdained David because the lad had no battle scars; he was not a warrior at all but simply a fresh-faced boy (1 Samuel 17:42). Goliath assumed that he would win because his physical power and armaments were superior. As often happens, pride preceded a fall (Proverbs 16:18).1 Samuel 17:45-47 give the clearest expression to David’s faith in Yahweh. He viewed Yahweh as the commander of Israel’s armies, a view of God that Saul never accepted but which made... read more