1 Samuel 17:18

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 17:18

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 17:18

Carry these ten cheeses - Cheeses of milk, says the margin. In the East they do not make what we call cheese: they press the milk but slightly, and carry it in rush baskets. It is highly salted, and little different from curds. 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:16-19

The Philistine .... presented himself. I.e. took his stand (see on 1 Samuel 10:23 ; 1 Samuel 12:7 , 1 Samuel 12:16 ). This verse takes up the narrative, disturbed by the inserted explanation about David's family relations. The extraordinary formation of the ground, as described in 1 Samuel 17:3 , shows how it was possible for this challenge to go on for forty days without either army advancing or retiring. During this long time it seems to have been the business of the friends at... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 17:18

Take their pledge - i. e., bring back what they have to say in return. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 17:17-18

1 Samuel 17:17-18. Jesse said, Take now for thy brethren, &c. He thought provisions might be scarce with them. But, having other sons at home with him, it was, no doubt, through a divine influence that he sent David from the sheep upon this errand. Carry these ten cheeses unto the captain Whose favour might be very serviceable to them. And take their pledge That is, bring me some token of their welfare. Perhaps Jesse and his sons had fixed on some pledge between them, that they... 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 17:18

their pledge : i.e. a token from them of their welfare = a message or letter, or a lock of hair. Compare Genesis 37:13 , Gen 14:32 , Gen 14:33 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 17:18

1 Samuel 17:18. Carry these ten cheeses— In the Hebrew החלב חריצי charitsei hechalab, ten cheeses of milk; upon which the author of the Observations remarks, that the word can hardly be imagined to signify cheeses directly, since milk is added in the original, and cheeses of milk is so odd an expression, all cheese being made of milk of some kind or other. Our translators were so struck with this, that they have suppressed the word milk, as perfectly superfluous. But as the word signifies a... read more

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