1 Samuel 17:33 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 17:33

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 17:33

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 17:31-37

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 17:32-33

1 Samuel 17:32-33. Let no man’s heart fail him, &c. it would have reflected upon his prince to say, Let not thy heart fail; therefore he speaks in general terms, Let no man’s heart fail. A young shepherd, come but this morning from keeping sheep, has more courage than all the mighty men of Israel! Thus doth God often do great things for his people by the weak things of the world. Thou art but a youth Not above twenty years old; and a novice, a raw and an inexperienced soldier. 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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 17:1-58

2. The reason for God’s selection of David ch. 17The exciting story of David and Goliath illustrates what it was that God saw in David’s heart that led Him to choose David for the position of king. It also shows how and why others in Israel began to notice David. David fought the Lord’s battles, as Samuel did (ch. 7). He also did so as Saul, God’s previously anointed king, had done (chs. 10-11, 14-15).Saul’s defeat of the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11:1-11) followed Saul’s anointing (1 Samuel 10:1).... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 17:31-40

David’s qualifications to fight Goliath 17:31-40When David volunteered to be Israel’s champion, Saul scoffed at him because he evaluated David’s chances for success solely in physical terms, as usual. The Hebrew word na’ar translated "youth" (1 Samuel 17:33) usually describes an older teenager (cf. 1 Samuel 3:1)."The opposite of the fear of the Lord is the fear of man. No greater contrast of these opposing fears could be presented than when David confronted Goliath. Saul and his men feared... read more

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

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:29-45

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:31-37

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:32-33

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 17:32-33

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:1-58

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 17:1-58

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 17:31-40

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