1 Samuel 17:31-33 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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 17:32

And David said - This properly connects with the eleventh verse. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 17:33

Thou art but a youth - Supposed to be about twenty-two or twenty-three years of age. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:29-45

Three victories in one day. Here the history assumes the charm of romance, and David stands forth a hero above all Greek and Roman fame. By the grace of God he won three victories in quick succession. 1 . Over the spirit of auger. When David, shocked to see all Israel defied and daunted by one Philistine, showed his feeling to the men that stood by him, his eldest brother, Eliab, sneered at him openly, and taunted him with being fit only to keep sheep, or to look at battles which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:30-31

Manner . Literally, word, the noun translated cause in 1 Samuel 17:29 , and meaning in both verses "conversation." It occurs here thrice, the Hebrew being, "And he spake according to this word: and the people returned him a word according to the former word." And as David thus persisted in his indignant remonstrances at the ranks of the living God being thus dishonoured by no man accepting the challenge, they rehearsed them before Saul, who thereupon sent for him. And thus David a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:31-37

Reasonable confidence in God. The facts are— 1 . David's words being reported to Saul, he sends for him. 2 . David volunteers to go forth and fight the Philistine. 3 . In justification of his confidence, he refers to God's deliverance of him from the lion and bear. 4 . Saul bids him go, and desires for him the Lord's presence. It was doubtless a relief to Saul to be informed that at least there was one in Israel who dared to accept the Philistine's challenge. His surprise... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:32-33

On being brought before the king, David says, Let no man's heart fail because of him, i.e. "on account of this Philistine." Literally it is "upon him," and some therefore translate "within him." The Septuagint forman reads "my lord"—"Let not my lord's heart fail within him." Probably "within him" is the best rendering of the phrase. Thou art but a youth. I.e. "a lad" (see on 1 Samuel 1:24 ; 1 Samuel 2:18 ). It is the word applied to David's brethren in 1 Samuel 16:11 , and his... read more

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 17:32

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 17:33

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:29-45

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:30-31

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:31-37

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:32-33

Group of Brands