1 Samuel 17:35, 1 Samuel 17:36 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 17:35

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

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

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 17:35

His beard - Put here for his throat, or under jaw; neither lion nor bear has a beard properly speaking. 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 17:35

beard = mane, or throat. read more

1 Samuel 17:35, 1 Samuel 17:36 Esv

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:35

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

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 17:35

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 17:35

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