1 Samuel 17:33-37

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

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 17:34

Thy servant kept his father ' s sheep - He found it necessary to give Saul the reasons why he undertook this combat; and why he expected to be victorious. I have courage to undertake it, and strength to perform it. Both have been tried in a very signal manner: (1). A lion came upon my flock, and seized a lamb; I ran after him, he attacked me, I seized hold of him by his shaggy locks, smote and slew him, and delivered the lamb. (2). A bear came in the same way, and I... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 17:35

The slaying of the lion and the bear mentioned here, must have taken place at two different times; perhaps the verse should be read thus: I went out after him, (the lion). and smote him, etc. And when he (the bear) rose up against me, I caught him by the beard and slew him. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 17:37

Go , and the Lord be with thee - Saul saw that these were reasonable grounds of confidence, and therefore wished him success. read more

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