1 Samuel 17:34, 1 Samuel 17:36, 1 Samuel 17:37 ESV

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 17:34

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

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

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 17:34-36

David does not appeal to any feat of arms. He may have served with credit in repelling some Philistine foray, but these combats with wild beasts, fought without the presence of spectators, and with no regent necessity (as most shepherds would have been too glad to compound with such enemies by letting them take a lamb without molestation), still more clearly proved David's fearless nature. Lions and bears were both common in ancient times in Palestine, when the country was more densely covered... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 17:34

The narrative does not make it certain whether the lion and the bear came on one and the same, or on two different occasions. If it was on one occasion, the probability would be that the bear, having seized a lamb and carrying it off, a lion appeared to dispute the prize with the bear, or with David after he had taken it from the bear, and that David killed first one and then the other. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 17:34-35

1 Samuel 17:34-35. There came a lion and a bear Not both together, but at different times. I went out after him I pursued the beast. When he arose against me Turned again upon me; I caught him by his beard I had resolution and strength enough given me to close with him, and, catching him by the hair of his beard, smote and killed him on the spot. David does not say with what instrument he did this; but probably it was with a sword or spear. It is not improbable but in that age, and in... 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 17:34

kept = was keeping. Compare 1 Samuel 16:11 . his . Some codices, quoted in the Massorah, read "my". and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ) in verses: 1 Samuel 17:34-36 . read more

1 Samuel 17:34, 1 Samuel 17:36, 1 Samuel 17:37 Esv

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

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:29-45

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:31-37

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:34-36

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 17:34

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 17:34-35

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:1-58

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 17:34

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