Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Samuel 17:49
(49) And smote the Philistine in the forehead.—The LXX. add the words “through the helm” The Greek translators could not understand the fact of the forehead being unprotected. But the head-pieces of the armour then do not appear to have possessed “visors;” the face was covered with the heavy shield, which was borne, we are told (1 Samuel 17:7), before him. No doubt the Philistine, utterly despising his youthful “unarmed” antagonist, advanced towards him without using, as was customary, the face... read more
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