1 Samuel 17:12-31

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

Matthew Henry

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:12

Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah , whose name was Jesse,.... Before made mention of, 1 Chronicles 16:1 . and he had eight sons ; seven only are mentioned, 1 Chronicles 2:13 one of them being, as is thought by some, a grandson, perhaps Jonadab the son of Shammah; or was a son by another woman, or died without children, as Jarchi, and therefore not mentioned: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul ; the phrase, "among men", either... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:14

And David was the youngest ,.... For the sake of whom this account is given of Jesse and his family, and who after this makes a considerable figure in the camp and court of Saul: and the three eldest followed Saul ; as before related, and which is repeated, that it might be observed that they only of Jesse's sons followed Saul; not David particularly, but who was providentially sent to the army at the time the Philistine was defying it. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:15

But David went, and returned from Saul ,.... Or "from above Saul"; Josephus F21 Antiqu. l. 6. c. 8. sect. 2. says, the physicians of Saul advised to get a man to stand υπερ κεφαλνς , "over his head", and sing psalms and hymns to him; and Saul being recovered from his frenzy and melancholy, by means of David's music, he was dismissed from him, or had leave to go home, or he returned upon Saul's taking the field; though one would think, if he was now his armourbearer, he would have... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:16

And the Philistine drew near morning and evening ,.... Twice a day he came near the camp, within the hearing of it. The Jews F23 T. Bab. Sotah, fol. 42. 2. say, he took those seasons on purpose to disturb them in reading their "Shema", or "hear, O Israel", &c.; and saying their prayers morning and evening: and presented himself forty days ; Successively, before the armies of Israel, daring them to send down a man to fight with him, and reproaching them for their cowardice in... read more

John Gill

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

And Jesse said unto David his son ,.... His youngest son, that was at home with him keeping sheep; he had three more at home, and who were elder than David, and yet he is directed by the providence of God to pick and send him on the following errand, there being work for him to do Jesse knew nothing of: take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn ; pointing to a quantity of it in a certain place; this was wheat or barley dried in a furnace or oven, and ground into meal, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:18

And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand ,.... Their chiliarch or colonel, who had the command of 1000 men, and under whom Jesse's sons fought; Jarchi thinks this was Jonathan, who had 1000 men with him at Gibeah, and so now, 1 Samuel 13:2 , these cheeses were sent by Jesse to the captain, to be distributed among his men, or a present to himself, that he might use his sons well who were under his command: and look how thy brethren fare ; whether in good health, in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:19

Now Saul, and they ,.... That is, the sons of Jesse, and brethren of David: and all the men of Israel ; the soldiers in the army: were in the valley Elah ; or "by" it, near unto it; for they were set in array on the mountain on the side of it: fighting with the Philistines ; not actually engaged in battle, but drawn up for it; prepared and in readiness to engage whenever it was necessary, or they were obliged to it; and perhaps there might be now and then some skirmishes in the... read more

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