1 Samuel 17:28-30

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 17:28

And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men ,.... Heard the questions he put to them, by which he perceived his inclination: and Eliab's anger was kindled against David ; because what he had said carried in it a tacit reproach of him, and others, that they had not the courage, and did not attempt to encounter with the Philistine; or the displeasure he expressed was either out of affection to him, fearing, or being assured almost he would perish in the enterprise; or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:29

And David said, what have I now done ?.... That is criminal and blameworthy; as if he should say, I have only expressed an indignation against this uncircumcised Philistine, and a concern for the glory of God, and the honour of the people of Israel: is there not a cause ? either for his coming to the camp, being sent by his father; or of his expressing himself with indignation at the Philistine's defiance of the armies of Israel. Some take the sense to be, that he had done nothing, he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:30

And he turned from him towards another ,.... From his brother Eliab, to another person right against him, and directed his discourse to him: and spake after the same manner : as in 1 Samuel 17:26 ; inquiring what encouragement would he given to a man that should attempt to kill the Philistine, and expressing his concern to hear the armies of the living God defied by such a wretch: and the people answered him again after the former manner ; telling him what gratuities and honours... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 17:29

Is there not a cause ? - הוא דבר הלוא halo dabar hu . I believe the meaning is what several of the versions express: I have spoken but a word. And should a man be made an offender for a word? read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:20-30

A religious man's view of things. The facts are— 1 . David arrives at the camp just as preparations are being made for battle. 2 . While with his brethren he hears the defiance of Goliath, and observes the dismay of Israel. 3 . Being informed of the inducement offered by Saul for any one to slay Goliath, he makes particular inquiries as to the facts, and suggests the vanity of the defiance. 4 . His inquiries arouse the jealousy of Eliab, who imputes to him unhallowed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:28-29

Eliab's anger was kindled against David. As David, with growing indignation at an uncovenanted heathen thus dishonouring the subjects of the living God, puts eager questions to all around, his ehier brother angrily reproaches him with words full of contempt. Between the eldest and youngest of eight sons was a vast interval, and Eliab regards David's talk as mere pride , or, rather, "presumption," "impertinence;" and also as naughtiness , or badness, of heart , probably because he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:29-45

Three victories in one day. Here the history assumes the charm of romance, and David stands forth a hero above all Greek and Roman fame. By the grace of God he won three victories in quick succession. 1 . Over the spirit of auger. When David, shocked to see all Israel defied and daunted by one Philistine, showed his feeling to the men that stood by him, his eldest brother, Eliab, sneered at him openly, and taunted him with being fit only to keep sheep, or to look at battles which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:30-31

Manner . Literally, word, the noun translated cause in 1 Samuel 17:29 , and meaning in both verses "conversation." It occurs here thrice, the Hebrew being, "And he spake according to this word: and the people returned him a word according to the former word." And as David thus persisted in his indignant remonstrances at the ranks of the living God being thus dishonoured by no man accepting the challenge, they rehearsed them before Saul, who thereupon sent for him. And thus David a... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 17:28

Why camest thou down? - From the heights of Bethlehem to the valley of Elah.Thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart - See the similar expression, Jeremiah 49:0. Compare the envy of Jacob’s sons toward Joseph, and of the slanders heaped upon the Son of David in the days of His flesh. read more

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