1 Samuel 17:55

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:48-58

Here is 1. The engagement between the two champions, 1 Sam. 17:48. To this engagement the Philistine advanced with a great deal of state and gravity; if he must encounter a pigmy, yet it shall be with the magnificence of a giant and a grandee. This is intimated in the manner of expression: He arose, and came, and drew nigh, like a stalking mountain, overlaid with brass and iron, to meet David. David advanced with no less activity and cheerfulness, as one that aimed more to do execution than to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:55

And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine ,.... Set out to meet him, and engage with him, as he might from the side of the mountain, where he was encamped: he said unto Abner, the captain of the host ; his own cousin, whom he had raised to this high post in the army, 1 Samuel 14:50 , Abner, whose son is this youth ? it is thought strange by many that Saul should not know who he was, when he had been often at his court, and served him as a musician, and had been very... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:52-58

Unknown and yet well known. The facts are— 1 . Stimulated by the exploit of David, the people complete their victory over the Philistines. 2 . David leaves his weapons in his tent and carries Goliath's head to Jerusalem. 3 . During the conflict Saul inquires who David was, but obtains no information, till, on presentation, David declares himself to be the son of Jesse. The summary of events here given brings out incidentally a fair illustration of general truths. I. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 17:55-58

Abner, whose son is this youth? Hebrew, "lad," na'ar. We have seen that the narrative in 1 Samuel 16:21-23 carries the history of David's relations with Saul down to a much later period, and that in 1 Samuel 16:15 of this chapter David is represented as not dwelling continuously at Saul's court, but as having returned to Bethlehem and resumed his pastoral occupations there, whence he would be summoned back in case of the recurrence of Saul's malady. It is plain from what is stated here... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 17:55

Whose son ... - See the marginal reference note. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 17:55

1 Samuel 17:55. Whose son is this youth? It may, at first sight, appear strange that Saul should be represented here as not knowing who David was, when we have a relation in the foregoing chapter of his sending for him to court, being highly pleased with his behaviour, and much delighted with his music, making him his armour-bearer, and sending to his father Jesse to ask his leave for his continuance at court. But it may be observed that Saul, in this place, does not express an entire... 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 17:55

whose son . . . ? Though Saul had just had an interview with David, he did not know his father, whom he had promised (1 Samuel 17:25 ) to make free in Israel. Note in all these passages (verses: 55, 56, 58) Saul's inquiry is not about David, but about David's father. thy soul = thyself (emph.) Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Samuel 17:55

SAUL AND ABNER DO NOT RECOGNIZE DAVID"When Saul saw David go down against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the commander of the army, "Abner, whose son is this youth"? And Abner said, "As your soul lives, O king, I cannot tell. And the king said, Inquire whose son the stripling is." And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. And Saul said to him, "Whose son are you, young man"? And David... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 17:55-58

1 Samuel 17:55-58. Whose son is this youth? &c.— Saul probably knew David's person, but had forgotten the name of his father. He does not ask, therefore, who the youth is, but whose son he is; a question of the more consequence to him, as he had promised his daughter in marriage to the conqueror of Goliath. Besides, as David had been for some time absent from Saul, perhaps a year or two, what is there improbable, that the youth, who had been so little with Saul, should, after such an... read more

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