1 Now the Philistines H6430 gathered together H622 their armies H4264 to battle, H4421 and were gathered together H622 at Shochoh, H7755 which belongeth to Judah, H3063 and pitched H2583 between Shochoh H7755 and Azekah, H5825 in Ephesdammim. H658
2 And Saul H7586 and the men H376 of Israel H3478 were gathered together, H622 and pitched H2583 by the valley H6010 of Elah, H425 and set the battle H4421 in array H6186 against H7125 the Philistines. H6430
3 And the Philistines H6430 stood H5975 on a mountain H2022 on the one side, and Israel H3478 stood H5975 on a mountain H2022 on the other side: and there was a valley H1516 between them.
4 And there went out H3318 a champion H376 H1143 out of the camp H4264 of the Philistines, H6430 named H8034 Goliath, H1555 of Gath, H1661 whose height H1363 was six H8337 cubits H520 and a span. H2239
5 And he had an helmet H3553 of brass H5178 upon his head, H7218 and he was armed H3847 with a coat H8302 of mail; H7193 and the weight H4948 of the coat H8302 was five H2568 thousand H505 shekels H8255 of brass. H5178
6 And he had greaves H4697 of brass H5178 upon his legs, H7272 and a target H3591 of brass H5178 between his shoulders. H3802
7 And the staff H6086 H2671 of his spear H2595 was like a weaver's H707 beam; H4500 and his spear's H2595 head H3852 weighed six H8337 hundred H3967 shekels H8255 of iron: H1270 and one bearing H5375 a shield H6793 went H1980 before H6440 him.
8 And he stood H5975 and cried H7121 unto the armies H4634 of Israel, H3478 and said H559 unto them, Why are ye come out H3318 to set your battle H4421 in array? H6186 am not I a Philistine, H6430 and ye servants H5650 to Saul? H7586 choose H1262 you a man H376 for you, and let him come down H3381 to me.
9 If he be able H3201 to fight H3898 with me, and to kill H5221 me, then will we be your servants: H5650 but if I prevail H3201 against him, and kill H5221 him, then shall ye be our servants, H5650 and serve H5647 us.
10 And the Philistine H6430 said, H559 I defy H2778 the armies H4634 of Israel H3478 this day; H3117 give H5414 me a man, H376 that we may fight H3898 together. H3162
11 When Saul H7586 and all Israel H3478 heard H8085 those words H1697 of the Philistine, H6430 they were dismayed, H2865 and greatly H3966 afraid. H3372
12 Now David H1732 was the son H1121 of that Ephrathite H376 H673 of Bethlehemjudah, H1035 H3063 whose name H8034 was Jesse; H3448 and he had eight H8083 sons: H1121 and the man H376 went H935 among men H582 for an old man H2204 in the days H3117 of Saul. H7586
13 And the three H7969 eldest H1419 sons H1121 of Jesse H3448 went H3212 and followed H310 Saul H7586 to the battle: H4421 and the names H8034 of his three H7969 sons H1121 that went H1980 to the battle H4421 were Eliab H446 the firstborn, H1060 and next H4932 unto him Abinadab, H41 and the third H7992 Shammah. H8048
14 And David H1732 was the youngest: H6996 and the three H7969 eldest H1419 followed H1980 H310 Saul. H7586
15 But David H1732 went H1980 and returned H7725 from Saul H7586 to feed H7462 his father's H1 sheep H6629 at Bethlehem. H1035
16 And the Philistine H6430 drew near H5066 morning H7925 and evening, H6150 and presented H3320 himself forty H705 days. H3117
17 And Jesse H3448 said H559 unto David H1732 his son, H1121 Take H3947 now for thy brethren H251 an ephah H374 of this H2088 parched H7039 corn, and these ten H6235 loaves, H3899 and run H7323 to the camp H4264 to thy brethren; H251
18 And carry H935 these ten H6235 cheeses H2461 H2757 unto the captain H8269 of their thousand, H505 and look H6485 how thy brethren H251 fare, H7965 and take H3947 their pledge. H6161
19 Now Saul, H7586 and they, and all the men H376 of Israel, H3478 were in the valley H6010 of Elah, H425 fighting H3898 with the Philistines. H6430
20 And David H1732 rose up early H7925 in the morning, H1242 and left H5203 the sheep H6629 with a keeper, H8104 and took, H5375 and went, H3212 as Jesse H3448 had commanded H6680 him; and he came H935 to the trench, H4570 as the host H2428 was going forth H3318 to the fight, H4634 and shouted H7321 for the battle. H4421
21 For Israel H3478 and the Philistines H6430 had put the battle in array, H6186 army H4634 against H7125 army. H4634
22 And David H1732 left H5203 his carriage H3627 in the hand H3027 of the keeper H8104 of the carriage, H3627 and ran H7323 into the army, H4634 and came H935 and saluted H7592 H7965 his brethren. H251
23 And as he talked H1696 with them, behold, there came up H5927 the champion, H376 H1143 the Philistine H6430 of Gath, H1661 Goliath H1555 by name, H8034 out of the armies H4634 H4630 of the Philistines, H6430 and spake H1696 according to the same H428 words: H1697 and David H1732 heard H8085 them.
24 And all the men H376 of Israel, H3478 when they saw H7200 the man, H376 fled H5127 from him, H6440 and were sore H3966 afraid. H3372
25 And the men H376 of Israel H3478 said, H559 Have ye seen H7200 this man H376 that is come up? H5927 surely to defy H2778 Israel H3478 is he come up: H5927 and it shall be, that the man H376 who killeth H5221 him, the king H4428 will enrich H6238 him with great H1419 riches, H6239 and will give H5414 him his daughter, H1323 and make H6213 his father's H1 house H1004 free H2670 in Israel. H3478
26 And David H1732 spake H559 to the men H582 that stood H5975 by him, saying, H559 What shall be done H6213 to the man H376 that killeth H5221 this H1975 Philistine, H6430 and taketh away H5493 the reproach H2781 from Israel? H3478 for who is this uncircumcised H6189 Philistine, H6430 that he should defy H2778 the armies H4634 of the living H2416 God? H430
27 And the people H5971 answered H559 him after this manner, H1697 saying, H559 So shall it be done H6213 to the man H376 that killeth H5221 him.
28 And Eliab H446 his eldest H1419 brother H251 heard H8085 when he spake H1696 unto the men; H582 and Eliab's H446 anger H639 was kindled H2734 against David, H1732 and he said, H559 Why camest thou down H3381 hither? and with whom hast thou left H5203 those H2007 few H4592 sheep H6629 in the wilderness? H4057 I know H3045 thy pride, H2087 and the naughtiness H7455 of thine heart; H3824 for thou art come down H3381 that thou mightest see H7200 the battle. H4421
29 And David H1732 said, H559 What have I now done? H6213 Is there not a cause? H1697
30 And he turned H5437 from him H681 toward H4136 another, H312 and spake H559 after the same manner: H1697 and the people H5971 answered H1697 him again H7725 after the former H7223 manner. H1697
31 And when the words H1697 were heard H8085 which David H1732 spake, H1696 they rehearsed H5046 them before H6440 Saul: H7586 and he sent H3947 for him.
32 And David H1732 said H559 to Saul, H7586 Let no man's H120 heart H3820 fail H5307 because of him; thy servant H5650 will go H3212 and fight H3898 with this Philistine. H6430
33 And Saul H7586 said H559 to David, H1732 Thou art not able H3201 to go H3212 against this Philistine H6430 to fight H3898 with him: for thou art but a youth, H5288 and he a man H376 of war H4421 from his youth. H5271
34 And David H1732 said H559 unto Saul, H7586 Thy servant H5650 kept H7462 his father's H1 sheep, H6629 and there came H935 a lion, H738 and a bear, H1677 and took H5375 a lamb H7716 H2089 out of the flock: H5739
35 And I went out H3318 after H310 him, and smote H5221 him, and delivered H5337 it out of his mouth: H6310 and when he arose H6965 against me, I caught H2388 him by his beard, H2206 and smote H5221 him, and slew H4191 him.
36 Thy servant H5650 slew H5221 both the lion H738 and the bear: H1677 and this uncircumcised H6189 Philistine H6430 shall be as one H259 of them, seeing he hath defied H2778 the armies H4634 of the living H2416 God. H430
37 David H1732 said H559 moreover, The LORD H3068 that delivered H5337 me out of the paw H3027 of the lion, H738 and out of the paw H3027 of the bear, H1677 he will deliver H5337 me out of the hand H3027 of this Philistine. H6430 And Saul H7586 said H559 unto David, H1732 Go, H3212 and the LORD H3068 be with thee.
38 And Saul H7586 armed H3847 David H1732 with his armour, H4055 and he put H5414 an helmet H6959 of brass H5178 upon his head; H7218 also he armed H3847 him with a coat of mail. H8302
39 And David H1732 girded H2296 his sword H2719 upon his armour, H4055 and he assayed H2974 to go; H3212 for he had not proved H5254 it. And David H1732 said H559 unto Saul, H7586 I cannot H3201 go H3212 with these; for I have not proved H5254 them. And David H1732 put H5493 them off him.
40 And he took H3947 his staff H4731 in his hand, H3027 and chose H977 him five H2568 smooth H2512 stones H68 out of the brook, H5158 and put H7760 them in a shepherd's H7462 bag H3627 which he had, even in a scrip; H3219 and his sling H7050 was in his hand: H3027 and he drew near H5066 to the Philistine. H6430
41 And the Philistine H6430 came H3212 on H1980 and drew near H7131 unto David; H1732 and the man H376 that bare H5375 the shield H6793 went before H6440 him.
42 And when the Philistine H6430 looked about, H5027 and saw H7200 David, H1732 he disdained H959 him: for he was but a youth, H5288 and ruddy, H132 and of a fair H3303 countenance. H4758
43 And the Philistine H6430 said H559 unto David, H1732 Am I a dog, H3611 that thou comest H935 to me with staves? H4731 And the Philistine H6430 cursed H7043 David H1732 by his gods. H430
44 And the Philistine H6430 said H559 to David, H1732 Come H3212 to me, and I will give H5414 thy flesh H1320 unto the fowls H5775 of the air, H8064 and to the beasts H929 of the field. H7704
45 Then said H559 David H1732 to the Philistine, H6430 Thou comest H935 to me with a sword, H2719 and with a spear, H2595 and with a shield: H3591 but I come H935 to thee in the name H8034 of the LORD H3068 of hosts, H6635 the God H430 of the armies H4634 of Israel, H3478 whom thou hast defied. H2778
46 This day H3117 will the LORD H3068 deliver H5462 thee into mine hand; H3027 and I will smite H5221 thee, and take H5493 thine head H7218 from thee; and I will give H5414 the carcases H6297 of the host H4264 of the Philistines H6430 this day H3117 unto the fowls H5775 of the air, H8064 and to the wild beasts H2416 of the earth; H776 that all the earth H776 may know H3045 that there is H3426 a God H430 in Israel. H3478
47 And all this assembly H6951 shall know H3045 that the LORD H3068 saveth H3467 not with sword H2719 and spear: H2595 for the battle H4421 is the LORD'S, H3068 and he will give H5414 you into our hands. H3027
48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine H6430 arose, H6965 and came H3212 and drew nigh H7126 to meet H7125 David, H1732 that David H1732 hasted, H4116 and ran H7323 toward the army H4634 to meet H7125 the Philistine. H6430
49 And David H1732 put H7971 his hand H3027 in his bag, H3627 and took H3947 thence a stone, H68 and slang H7049 it, and smote H5221 the Philistine H6430 in his forehead, H4696 that the stone H68 sunk H2883 into his forehead; H4696 and he fell H5307 upon his face H6440 to the earth. H776
50 So David H1732 prevailed H2388 over H4480 the Philistine H6430 with a sling H7050 and with a stone, H68 and smote H5221 the Philistine, H6430 and slew H4191 him; but there was no sword H2719 in the hand H3027 of David. H1732
51 Therefore David H1732 ran, H7323 and stood H5975 upon the Philistine, H6430 and took H3947 his sword, H2719 and drew H8025 it out of the sheath H8593 thereof, and slew H4191 him, and cut off H3772 his head H7218 therewith. And when the Philistines H6430 saw H7200 their champion H1368 was dead, H4191 they fled. H5127
52 And the men H582 of Israel H3478 and of Judah H3063 arose, H6965 and shouted, H7321 and pursued H7291 the Philistines, H6430 until thou come H935 to the valley, H1516 and to the gates H8179 of Ekron. H6138 And the wounded H2491 of the Philistines H6430 fell down H5307 by the way H1870 to Shaaraim, H8189 even unto Gath, H1661 and unto Ekron. H6138
53 And the children H1121 of Israel H3478 returned H7725 from chasing H1814 after H310 the Philistines, H6430 and they spoiled H8155 their tents. H4264
54 And David H1732 took H3947 the head H7218 of the Philistine, H6430 and brought H935 it to Jerusalem; H3389 but he put H7760 his armour H3627 in his tent. H168
55 And when Saul H7586 saw H7200 David H1732 go forth H3318 against H7125 the Philistine, H6430 he said H559 unto Abner, H74 the captain H8269 of the host, H6635 Abner, H74 whose son H1121 is this youth? H5288 And Abner H74 said, H559 As thy soul H5315 liveth, H2416 O king, H4428 I cannot H518 tell. H3045
56 And the king H4428 said, H559 Enquire H7592 thou whose son H1121 the stripling H5958 is.
57 And as David H1732 returned H7725 from the slaughter H5221 of the Philistine, H6430 Abner H74 took H3947 him, and brought H935 him before H6440 Saul H7586 with the head H7218 of the Philistine H6430 in his hand. H3027
58 And Saul H7586 said H559 to him, Whose son H1121 art thou, thou young man? H5288 And David H1732 answered, H559 I am the son H1121 of thy servant H5650 Jesse H3448 the Bethlehemite. H1022
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on 1 Samuel 17
Commentary on 1 Samuel 17 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 17
1Sa 17:1-3. The Israelites and Philistines Being Ready to Battle.
1. the Philistines gathered together their armies—twenty-seven years after their overthrow at Michmash. Having now recovered their spirits and strength, they sought an opportunity of wiping out the infamy of that national disaster, as well as to regain their lost ascendency over Israel.
Shocoh—now Shuweikeh, a town in the western plains of Judah (Jos 15:35), nine Roman miles from Eleutheropolis, toward Jerusalem [Robinson].
Azekah—a small place in the neighborhood.
Ephes-dammim—or, "Pas-dammim" (1Ch 11:13), "the portion" or "effusion of blood," situated between the other two.
2. valley of Elah—that is, "the Terebinth," now Wady Er-Sumt [Robinson]. Another valley somewhat to the north, now called Wady Beit Hanina, has been fixed on by the tradition of ages.
1Sa 17:4-11. Goliath Challenges a Combat.
4-11. a champion—Hebrew, a "man between two"; that is, a person who, on the part of his own people, undertook to determine the national quarrel by engaging in single combat with a chosen warrior in the hostile army.
5. helmet of brass—The Philistine helmet had the appearance of a row of feathers set in a tiara, or metal band, to which were attached scales of the same material, for the defense of the neck and the sides of the face [Osborn].
a coat of mail—a kind of corslet, quilted with leather or plates of metal, reaching only to the chest, and supported by shoulder straps, leaving the shoulders and arms at full liberty.
6. greaves of brass—boots, terminating at the ankle, made in one plate of metal, but round to the shape of the leg, and often lined with felt or sponge. They were useful in guarding the legs, not only against the spikes of the enemy, but in making way among thorns and briers.
a target of brass—a circular frame, carried at the back, suspended by a long belt which crossed the breast from the shoulders to the loins.
7. staff of his spear—rather under five feet long, and capable of being used as a javelin (1Sa 19:10). It had an iron head.
one bearing a shield—In consequence of their great size and weight, the Oriental warrior had a trusty and skilful friend, whose office it was to bear the large shield behind which he avoided the missile weapons of the enemy. He was covered, cap-a-pie, with defensive armor, while he had only two offensive weapons—a sword by his side and a spear in his hand.
8-11. I defy the armies of Israel …; give me a man, that we may fight together—In cases of single combat, a warrior used to go out in front of his party, and advancing towards the opposite ranks, challenge someone to fight with him. If his formidable appearance, or great reputation for physical strength and heroism, deterred any from accepting the challenge, he used to parade himself within hearing of the enemy's lines, specify in a loud, boastful, bravado style, defying them, and pouring out torrents of abuse and insolence to provoke their resentment.
1Sa 17:12-58. David Accepts the Challenge, and Slays Him.
17. Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves—In those times campaigns seldom lasted above a few days at a time. The soldiers were volunteers or militia, who were supplied with provisions from time to time by their friends at home.
18. carry these ten cheeses to the captain—to enlist his kind attention. Oriental cheeses are very small; and although they are frequently made of so soft a consistence as to resemble curds, those which David carried seem to have been fully formed, pressed, and sufficiently dried to admit of their being carried.
take their pledge—Tokens of the soldiers' health and safety were sent home in the convenient form of a lock of their hair, or piece of their nail, or such like.
20. David left the sheep with a keeper—This is the only instance in which the hired shepherd is distinguished from the master or one of his family.
trench—some feeble attempt at a rampart. It appears (see Margin) to have been formed by a line of carts or chariots, which, from the earliest times, was the practice of nomad people.
22. left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage—to make his way to the standard of Judah.
25. make his father's house free in Israel—His family should be exempted from the impositions and services to which the general body of the Israelites were subjected.
34-36. a lion, and a bear—There were two different rencontres, for those animals prowl alone. The bear must have been a Syrian bear, which is believed to be a distinct species, or perhaps a variety, of the brown bear. The beard applies to the lion alone. Those feats seem to have been performed with no weapons more effective than the rude staves and stones of the field, or his shepherd's crook.
37. The Lord that delivered me—It would have been natural for a youth, and especially an Oriental youth, to make a parade of his gallantry. But David's piety sank all consideration of his own prowess and ascribed the success of those achievements to the divine aid, which he felt assured would not be withheld from him in a cause which so intimately concerned the safety and honor of His people.
Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee—The pious language of the modest but valiant youth impressed the monarch's heart. He felt that it indicated the true military confidence for Israel, and, therefore, made up his mind, without any demur, to sanction a combat on which the fate of his kingdom depended, and with a champion supporting his interests apparently so unequal to the task.
38, 39. Saul armed David with his armour—The ancient Hebrews were particularly attentive to the personal safety of their warriors, and hence Saul equipped the youthful champion with his own defensive accoutrements, which would be of the best style. It is probable that Saul's coat of mail, or corslet, was a loose shirt, otherwise it could not have fitted both a stripling and a man of the colossal stature of the king.
40. brook—wady.
bag—or scrip for containing his daily food.
sling—The sling consisted of a double rope with a thong, probably of leather, to receive the stone. The slinger held a second stone in his left hand. David chose five stones, as a reserve, in case the first should fail. Shepherds in the East carry a sling and stones still, for the purpose of driving away, or killing, the enemies that prowl about the flock.
42-47. the Philistine said … said David to the Philistine—When the two champions met, they generally made each of them a speech, and sometimes recited some verses, filled with allusions and epithets of the most opprobrious kind, hurling contempt and defiance at one another. This kind of abusive dialogue is common among the Arab combatants still. David's speech, however, presents a striking contrast to the usual strain of these invectives. It was full of pious trust, and to God he ascribed all the glory of the triumph he anticipated.
49. smote the Philistine in his forehead—At the opening for the eyes—that was the only exposed part of his body.
51. cut off his head—not as an evidence of the giant's death, for his slaughter had been effected in presence of the whole army, but as a trophy to be borne to Saul. The heads of slain enemies are always regarded in the East as the most welcome tokens of victory.
52. Shaaraim—(See Jos 15:36).
54. tent—the sacred tabernacle. David dedicated the sword of Goliath as a votive offering to the Lord.
55-58. Saul … said unto Abner … whose son is this youth?—A young man is more spoken of in many Eastern countries by his father's name than his own. The growth of the beard, and other changes on a now full-grown youth, prevented the king from recognizing his former favorite minstrel [1Sa 16:23].