1 Samuel 17:4 NLT,NIV,ESV

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

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:3-7

(3) And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them. (4) And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. (5) And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass. (6) And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:4

Base-born. Hebrew, "of two sons," or of obscure origin. (Cornelius a Lapide) --- His parents are no where specified, as Arapha is not, as some pretend, the name of his mother, but denotes that he was of the race of the Raphaim, 2 Kings xxi. 16. Some translate, a man who challenges to fight a duel, or one who comes into the midst as "a champion," to decide the cause of all the rest. Thus the Gaul defied the most valiant of the Romans, but was slain by M. Torquatus, Livy vii. Septuagint, "A... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 17:1-11

1-11 Men so entirely depend upon God in all things, that when he withdraws his help, the most valiant and resolute cannot find their hearts or hands, as daily experience shows. read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - 1 Samuel 17:1-11

Goliath's Defiance of Israel v. 1. Now, the Philistines, the federation of the five city states, gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, some ten miles southwest of Jerusalem, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim, in a range of hills which gave their camp a good strategic position. v. 2. And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together and pitched by the Valley of Elah, in the Terebinth Valley,... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - 1 Samuel 17:1-23

David Plays for Saul v. 14. But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, now that his rejection was an established fact, and an evil spirit from the Lord, having been given permission to that effect by the Lord, troubled him, fell upon him and terrified him, filled him with anxious worry and a nameless dread. It was a wicked power, which had a strange control over him. v. 15. And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God, sent as a punishment from God, troubleth... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - 1 Samuel 17:1-58

SECOND SECTIONSaul’s New War with the Philistines and David’s Exploit with its Diverse Consequences for Him and for his Relation to Saul1 Samuel 17:1 to 1 Samuel 19:7I. The two Camps and Goliath’s arrogant Challenge1 Samuel 17:1-111Now [And] the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh [Socoh], which belongeth to Judah, and pitched 2between Shochoh [Socoh] and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.1 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:1-16

Israel Defied by the Philistine Champion 1 Samuel 17:1-16 When their king lost the special consciousness of God’s presence and power, the whole kingdom became demoralized, and the Hebrews had the humiliation of hearing in silence a defiant challenge to “the armies of the living God.” It looked as if the answer would have to go by default-that Jehovah was a God that could not save. The impotence of the Israelites made Goliath still more defiant. At first he came down from the ranks of his own... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 17:1-58

The story contained in this chapter is one of the most familiar of the Old Testament narratives. It places Saul and David in sharp contrast as each stands out in clear relief. In the presence of the enemy of his people, notwithstanding his position and his army, Saul is seen to be utterly incompetent. On the other hand, David, without human resources, but conscious of the true greatness of his. people, and sure of the strength of his God, went forth to battle with the Philistine champion. ... read more