1 Samuel 17:26-27 ESV

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 17:26-30

David’s interest in God’s reputation 17:26-30David seems to have considered himself capable of defeating Goliath from the first time he heard of Goliath’s insults to Yahweh. The fact that he referred to Yahweh as the "living God" (1 Samuel 17:26) shows David’s belief that Yahweh was still the same Person who could defeat present enemies as He had done in the past. His was the simple faith of a child. He had apparently heard about God’s promises to Moses and Joshua, that if the Israelites would... read more

John Dummelow

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

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Samuel 17:26

(26) And David spake . . .—Very vividly does the historian here depict the scene that morning in the “front:” the dismayed soldiers of King Saul watching and listening to the boastful, impious words, as the giant champion shouted them across the narrow ravine which parted the outposts of the two armies; the enthusiastic shepherd boy, glowing with religious fervour, going from group to group of the advanced guard in the front, as they stood gloomily leaning on their spears, asking questions, and... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 1 Samuel 17:1-58

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

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:1-58

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

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 1 Samuel 17:1-58

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

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 1 Samuel 17:26

17:26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the {h} reproach from Israel? for who [is] this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?(h) This dishonour that he does to Israel. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 17:1-58

The time comes when both Saul and David are to be publicly proven as regards their fitness to rule over Israel. The Philistines, though previously defeated through Jonathan's faith, return to challenge Israel, but with a different approach. The armies of Israel occupy a height on one side of a valley and the Philistines similarly stationed on the other side. If one army wanted to attack, they would have to cross the valley and climb up the other side, which would put them at great... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:1-58

DAVID BEFORE SAUL AS A MINSTREL (1 Samuel 16:14-23 ) When it is said that “the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul” (1 Samuel 16:14 ), we have a further illustration of the distinction between the Spirit coming on a man and the Spirit dwelling within him. In the latter case we do not think of His departing from him (John 14:16 ; Romans 11:29 ), but in the former He may do so for more than one reason, but especially when the man through disobedience has placed himself outside the pale... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 1 Samuel 17:1-58

Undeclared Royalty 1Sa 17:58 THAT is a very simple account for a man to give of himself, yet it answered the question which elicited it. Though but a stripling, David knew where to stop in his answers. On this occasion he could have startled Saul as Saul was never startled in his life, yet he held his peace! Truly, there is power in moderation; and truly, discretion is the supreme beauty of the valiant man. Notice with special care the exciting circumstances under which the answer was given.... read more