1 Samuel 17:42-44

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:42

And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him ,.... He looked about for his antagonist, to take a view of him, what sort of a man he was, expecting to see one much like himself; but observing a puny young man, he despised him in his heart, and perhaps looked upon it as an affront to him to send such a man to fight with him: for he was but a youth ; his age was one reason why he despised him, being, as before observed, about twenty years of age, and not come to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:43

And the Philistine said unto David, am I a dog ?.... Truly David did not think him much better, because of his impudence, impurity, and barking blasphemy against God, and the armies of Israel; the Targum is,"am I a despised dog?' verily he was by David: that thou comest to me with staves ? or with a staff, the plural for the singular, to beat him with it as a dog is beaten, and as David used to beat his dog with, while keeping his father's sheep, when the dog he had with him did not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:44

And the Philistine said to David, come to me ,.... He seems to have stood still, disdaining: to take another step towards such a pitiful combatant, and therefore bids him come up to him, and he would soon dispatch him; unless he said this, because David was light and nimble, and he heavy and unwieldy because of his bigness, and the burden of armour on him, and therefore could not make such haste as he wished to destroy his adversary, of which he made no doubt: and I will give thy flesh... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 17:42

He disdained him - He held him in contempt; he saw that he was young, and from his ruddy complexion supposed him to be effeminate. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 17:43

Am I a dog , that thou comest to me with staves ? - It is very likely that Goliath did not perceive the sling, which David might have kept coiled up within his hand. Cursed David by his gods - Prayed his gods to curse him. This long parley between David and Goliath is quite in the style of those times. A Hindoo sometimes in a fit of anger says to his enemy, The goddess Kalee shall devour thee! May Doorga destroy thee! Homer's heroes have generally an... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 17:44

Come to me , and I will give thy flesh - He intended, as soon as he could lay hold on him, to pull him to pieces. 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 17:41-44

When David had crossed the ravine, Goliath and his armour bearer advanced towards him; and when he saw that the Israelite champion was but a lad (see 1 Samuel 17:33 ), with red hair, which added to his youthful appearance, and handsome, but with nothing more than a staff in his hand, he regarded this light equipment as an insult, and asks, Am I a dog,— an animal held in great aversion in the East,— that thou comest to me with staves? The plural is used as a contemptuous generalisation,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:41-51

The governing principle of life. The facts are— 1 . The Philistine, on observing the youth and simple weapons of David, disdains and curses him, and boasts of soon giving his flesh to bird and beast. 2 . David, in reply, declares that he comes in the name of God, and expresses his assurance that, in the speedy death of his foe, all men would learn that the battle is the Lord's. 3 . Goliath falls by means of the sling and stone. 4 . Seizing his sword, David cuts off his... read more

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