1 Samuel 17:38-50 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:31-39

David is at length presented to Saul for his champion (1 Sam. 17:31) and he bravely undertakes to fight the Philistine (1 Sam. 17:32): Let no man's heart fail because of him. It would have reflected too much upon the valour of his prince if he had said, Let not thy heart fail; therefore he speaks generally: Let no man's heart fail. A little shepherd, come but this morning from keeping sheep, has more courage than all the mighty men of Israel, and encourages them. Thus does God often send good... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:40-47

We are now coming near this famous combat, and have in these verses the preparations and remonstrances made on both sides. I. The preparations made on both sides for the encounter. The Philistine was already fixed, as he had been daily for the last forty days. Well might he go with his armour, for he had sufficiently proved it. Only we are told (1 Sam. 17:41) that he came on and drew near, a signal, it is likely, being given that his challenge was accepted, and, as if he distrusted his helmet... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:48-58

Here is 1. The engagement between the two champions, 1 Sam. 17:48. To this engagement the Philistine advanced with a great deal of state and gravity; if he must encounter a pigmy, yet it shall be with the magnificence of a giant and a grandee. This is intimated in the manner of expression: He arose, and came, and drew nigh, like a stalking mountain, overlaid with brass and iron, to meet David. David advanced with no less activity and cheerfulness, as one that aimed more to do execution than to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:38

And Saul armed David with his armour ,.... Not with what he wore himself; for it cannot be thought he would strip himself of his armour in the field of battle, and when just going to it; and besides what suited the one would not be fit for the other, their bulk and stature being different i but this was some armour Saul had brought with him, besides what he himself wore, to furnish any with that might want it: and he put an helmet of brass upon his head ; such an one, though not so large... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:39

And David girded his, sword upon his armour ,.... Which Saul also perhaps furnished him with: and he assayed to go ; made an attempt, and had a mind to go thus accoutred; he at first showed an inclination to go in such an habit, but afterwards would not: for he had not proved it ; as warriors were wont to do; so Achilles did F9 Homer. Iliad. 19. ver. 384,385. so Theocrit. Idyll. 10. ver. 61. ; he never made trial of such armour before, he had not been used to it, and knew not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:40

And he took his staff in his hand ,.... His shepherd's staff, which he used in keeping his father's sheep, and chose rather to appear in the habit of a shepherd than of a soldier: and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook ; which ran in the valley, which became smooth by lying in the water running over them; and which being smooth were fitter for his purpose, being the more easily cast out of the sling; though De Dieu is of opinion that these were parts or pieces of stones, cleft... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:41

And the Philistine came on, and drew near unto David ,.... By slow paces, because of the weight of his armour, and bulk of his body, yet with a haughty air, and a proud gait: and the man that bare the shield went before him ; See Gill on 1 Samuel 17:7 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:42

And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him ,.... He looked about for his antagonist, to take a view of him, what sort of a man he was, expecting to see one much like himself; but observing a puny young man, he despised him in his heart, and perhaps looked upon it as an affront to him to send such a man to fight with him: for he was but a youth ; his age was one reason why he despised him, being, as before observed, about twenty years of age, and not come to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:43

And the Philistine said unto David, am I a dog ?.... Truly David did not think him much better, because of his impudence, impurity, and barking blasphemy against God, and the armies of Israel; the Targum is,"am I a despised dog?' verily he was by David: that thou comest to me with staves ? or with a staff, the plural for the singular, to beat him with it as a dog is beaten, and as David used to beat his dog with, while keeping his father's sheep, when the dog he had with him did not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:44

And the Philistine said to David, come to me ,.... He seems to have stood still, disdaining: to take another step towards such a pitiful combatant, and therefore bids him come up to him, and he would soon dispatch him; unless he said this, because David was light and nimble, and he heavy and unwieldy because of his bigness, and the burden of armour on him, and therefore could not make such haste as he wished to destroy his adversary, of which he made no doubt: and I will give thy flesh... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:31-39

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:40-47

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:48-58

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:38

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:39

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:40

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:41

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:42

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:43

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:44

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