1 Samuel 17:41-54 NIV

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 17:41

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:45

Then said David to the Philistine ,.... In answer to the contempt he held him in, and to the threatening words he gave him: thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield ; the word for "shield" is not the same with that so rendered, 1 Samuel 17:41 ; which his armourbearer carried before him, but with that translated a "target", which was between his shoulders, 1 Samuel 17:6 ; however, they were all weapons of war, either defensive or offensive: but I come to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:46

This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hands ,.... Of which he was assured by divine inspiration, by the impulse of the Spirit of God upon him; or otherwise he could not have expressed himself with such certainty, and have given the particulars of what he should do, as in the following clauses: and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee ; and yet he had no weapon in his hand to do it with, 1 Samuel 17:50 , but it was revealed to him that he should do it, and he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:47

And all this assembly shall know ,.... The congregation of Israel, and church of the living God, great part of which were now gathered together, and were spectators of this wonderful event: that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear ; that is, by outward means and instruments, by arms and armed men; he does not save by them only, or by them always; he can save as well without them as with them: for the battle is the Lord's ; it is under his direction; the issue and event of it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:48

And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose ,.... Or prepared for the encounter, and was in all probability in great wrath and fury at hearing what David said, and which hastened him to it: and came and drew nigh to meet David ; as fast as his unwieldy body, and heavy load of armour on him, would admit of: that David hasted and ran toward the army ; the army of the Philistines, from whence this champion came: to meet the Philistine ; to get up to him before he could draw his... read more

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 17:41

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:45

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:46

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:47

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:48

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