1 Samuel 17:28-37 NTV

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 17:28

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:31

And when the words were heard which David spake ,.... To one, and to another, and these reported to other persons, and so they went from one to another through many hands: they rehearsed them before Saul ; coming to the ears of some of his courtiers and counsellors, or officers about him, they told him what such an one had said: and he sent for him ; to his tent or pavilion where he was, to talk with him on this subject. The whole of 1 Samuel 17:11 is wanting in the Septuagint... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:32

And David said to Saul, let no man's heart fail because of him ,.... The Philistine, though so gigantic, mighty, and blustering: this he said within himself, so Kimchi; as David perceived the hearts of most, if not all, did, since none dared to go out and fight him, but on the contrary fled from him: thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine ; and therefore there need be no thought, care, or concern to look out for another man. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:33

And Saul said to David, thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him ,.... Had neither strength of body, nor skill in military affairs, to encounter with a man of his stature, and warlike genius and practice: for thou art but a youth ; some say about fourteen or sixteen years of age, but very probably about twenty, and not more, and so not only weak, but inexpert in the art of fighting: and he a man of war from his youth ; a gigantic man, trained up in, inured... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:34

And David said unto Saul ,.... In answer to his objection of inability to encounter with one so superior to him; and this answer is founded on experience and facts, and shows that he was not so weak and inexpert as Saul took him to be: thy servant kept his father's sheep ; which he was not ashamed to own, and especially as it furnished him with an stance of his courage, bravery, and success, and which would be convincing to Saul: and there came a lion and a bear, and took a lamb out... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:35

And I went out after him ,.... Whether a lion or a bear; but mention after being made of his beard, a lion rather is meant: and smote him ; with his fist, or rather with his shepherd's staff: and delivered it out of his mouth ; snatched it out from thence, or obliged him to drop it, by beating him: and when he arose against me ; after he had let go the lamb, threatening to tear him in pieces for attempting to disturb him in his prey, and take it away from him: I caught him ... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:12-30

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:28

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:31

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:32

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:33

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:34

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:35

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