1 Samuel 17:13

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:12-30

Forty days the two armies lay encamped facing one another, each advantageously posted, but neither forward to engage. Either they were parleying and treating of an accommodation or they were waiting for recruits; and perhaps there were frequent skirmishes between small detached parties. All this while, twice a day, morning and evening, did the insulting champion appear in the field and repeat his challenge, his own heart growing more and more proud for his not being answered and the people of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:13

And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle ,.... Either of their own accord, or rather at their father's motion, or however with his knowledge and consent, who because he could not go himself, willed them to go; and these were forward, and some of the foremost that followed Saul to the battle, being zealous and well disposed to defend their king and country: and the names of the three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:12-14

Jesse … went among men for an old man in the days of Saul. This translation is taken from the Vulgate; but the Hebrew is, "And the man in the days of Saul was old, gone among men." Some explain this as meaning "placed," i.e. "reckoned among men of rank;" but probably an aleph has dropped out in the word rendered men, and we should read "gone," i.e. "advanced in years." Old is used in a very indefinite way in the Books of Samuel; but as Jesse had eight sons, of whom the youngest was now... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:12-19

Cooperation in spiritual warfare. The facts are— 1 . Three of Jesse's sons are with the army opposing the Philistines. 2 . David, being relieved from attendance on Saul, keeps the flock at Bethlehem. 3 . Jesse sends David to the camp with provisions, and instructs him to look after the welfare of his brethren. It is possible that Jesse may have surmised that some considerable developments would soon arise out of Samuel's recent visit to Bethlehem and the wonderful interest... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 17:12-15

1 Samuel 17:12-15. David was the son of that Ephrathite, &c. Being chosen of God to combat with Goliath, we are here informed of whom he was descended. The man went among men Was accounted; an old man Therefore he went not himself to the camp. David was the youngest Being young, he was not put to the hardships of war; but the three eldest undertook to serve their prince and their country in this time of common danger. David went and returned from Saul Left his court, with his... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:1-58

Goliath’s challenge and defeat (17:1-58)The Philistines again assembled their troops to fight against Israel (17:1-3). As often happened in ancient warfare, the invaders challenged the defenders by calling for a contest between the champions of the two sides (4-11). At this time David was back on his father’s farm at Bethlehem, for he did not need to remain at Saul’s court when Saul was away directing affairs on the battlefield (12-16).When circumstances later brought David to the scene of the... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 17:1-58

2. The reason for God’s selection of David ch. 17The exciting story of David and Goliath illustrates what it was that God saw in David’s heart that led Him to choose David for the position of king. It also shows how and why others in Israel began to notice David. David fought the Lord’s battles, as Samuel did (ch. 7). He also did so as Saul, God’s previously anointed king, had done (chs. 10-11, 14-15).Saul’s defeat of the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11:1-11) followed Saul’s anointing (1 Samuel 10:1).... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 17:12-25

The reason for David’s presence at the battle 17:12-25At this time in his life David was assisting Saul as his armor-bearer when he was not tending his father’s sheep (1 Samuel 17:15). Moses, too, had been tending sheep before God called him to shepherd His people Israel (Exodus 3:1). The site of battle was 15 miles due west of David’s hometown, Bethlehem. The Old Testament writers sometimes used "Ephratah" (1 Samuel 17:12), an older name for Bethlehem, to distinguish the Bethlehem in Judah... 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

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

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