1 Samuel 17:32-58

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

Matthew Henry

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 17:32

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:36

Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear ,.... At different times, and several of them at one time or another; whenever any of them came into the flock, he used to lay hold on them and kill them, with all the ease imaginable. The Jews suppose this phrase denotes many of them F8 See Halicot Olam, p. 177. . And this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them ; as he was like them in nature, savage, cruel and unclean, so he would be in his end, killed as they; of this David... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:37

And David said moreover ,.... For the further confirmation of it, and as more strongly expressing his faith of it; not as owing to any natural strength or skill of his, but to the power of God, of whose assistance he made no question: the Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear ; for to him he ascribes his deliverance from those savage creatures, and his victory over them, and on him he relied for help and salvation in the present case: he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:38

And Saul armed David with his armour ,.... Not with what he wore himself; for it cannot be thought he would strip himself of his armour in the field of battle, and when just going to it; and besides what suited the one would not be fit for the other, their bulk and stature being different i but this was some armour Saul had brought with him, besides what he himself wore, to furnish any with that might want it: and he put an helmet of brass upon his head ; such an one, though not so large... read more

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