1 Samuel 19

1Sa 19:1 And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.

That they should kill David - Saul’s enmity now burst forth, in the avowed purpose of putting David to death. Nothing less than the especial interposition of God could have saved David’s life, when every officer about the king’s person, and every soldier, had got positive orders to despatch him.

Saul spake to Jonathan his son - Who was heir to his crown; and though he knew he loved David, and was in strict friendship with him, yet he might hope, that as his succession to the kingdom was in danger, as he thought, and that David was his rival in it, his mind would be alienated from him; and that he would listen rather to a father than a friend, and would see where his true interest lay, and abandon David, yea, seek his ruin, which Saul was intent upon

That they should kill David - as if he was a traitor, and an usurper of his throne, and one that had a design upon that, and upon his life; finding he could do nothing by the schemes, and snares, and stratagems, he used in a private manner, he grew outrageous and furious, and openly declared his views, and laid his injunctions on his son and servants to take away David's life, as a very dangerous person to his crown and government.

1Sa 19:2 But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself:

Take heed to thyself until the morning - Perhaps the order was given to slay him the next day; and therefore Jonathan charges him to be particularly on his guard at that time, and to hide himself.

Take heed to thyself until the morning - it seems it was now evening when he informed him of it; and as he knew not what emissaries Saul might have out that night in quest of him, he advises him to take care of himself, and not expose himself to any danger, and to keep a strict guard about him; and in the morning he would try to conciliate his father to him, when he might hope, having slept upon it, that he would be in a better temper, and more disposed to hear what might be said to him:

Jonathan, Saul's son, delighted much in David - In his company and conversation; he loved him with a love of complacency, and was constant and steadfast in it, and which was a kind providence to David; for by this means he came to the knowledge of Saul's designs upon him, and could the better guard against him:

1Sa 19:3 And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art, and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee.

stand beside my father in the field where thou art - on that side of him next to David, that he might not see him, and yet be so near, that David might hear what passed between them:

I will commune with my father of thee - speak in favor of him, and endeavor to dissuade him from attempting to take away his life, which was of so much importance and usefulness in the commonwealth of Israel :

what I see that I will tell thee - what David could not well hear he would inform him of, and what he could perceive in the countenance of Saul, as well as conclude from his words, that he would make known to David, that so he might know better what he had to do, and provide for his safety.

1Sa 19:4 And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good:

Jonathan spake good of David - Observed to him what a good man be was, and what good things he had done, what wisdom and prudence he had shown in the management of all his affairs, what valor and courage in all his expeditions, what faithfulness and integrity to his king and country in every instance: It is evident that Jonathan was satisfied that David was an innocent man; and that his father was most unjustly incensed against him.

let not the king sin against his servant - by taking away his life; which would have been a great sin indeed, a sin against the law of God.

he hath not sinned against thee - had not disobeyed any of his orders, but faithfully served him in everything, and much less ever thought to take away his life, or seize his crown, as he might imagine:

his works have been to thee very good - by slaying the Philistines, when he and his army were in the utmost terror; by driving away the evil spirit from him, through playing on his harp before him; as well as by commanding his troops, and leading them against the Philistines, and obtaining victory over them.

1Sa 19:5 For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?

For he did put his life in his hand - Exposed himself to the utmost danger, when no one in all the camp of Israel would do the like:

slew the Philistine - Goliath of Gath, who defied the armies of Israel ; against him he went unarmed, only with his sling and stones, and fought him, and slew him:

the Lord wrought a great salvation for all Israel - by his hand, so that they were delivered from their enemies, who fled before them, and they pursued them, and got a complete victory over them:

1Sa 19:6 And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain.

Saul sware, as the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain - this oath he added to what he said to Jonathan; and which was taken either with a real intention to keep it, though that intention did not long continue; or with a view to deceive Jonathan, that he might acquaint David with it, and so prevent his flight and escape, and that he might the more easily fall into his hands; The former seems rather to be the case. This reconciliation, unfortunately, did not last long.

1Sa 19:7 And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan shewed him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in times past.

He was in his presence, as in times past - By Jonathan’s advice he had secreted himself on that day on which he was to have been assassinated: the king having sworn that he should not be slain, David resumes his place in the palace of Saul .

Jonathan showed him all these things - which had passed between him and his father, and particularly the oath he had made that he should not be slain:

Jonathan brought David to Saul - introduced him at court again, and into the presence chamber of Saul; who, in appearance, received him courteously, and a reconciliation was seemingly made:

1Sa 19:8 And there was war again: and David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a great slaughter; and they fled from him.

And there was war again - Between Israel and the Philistines; it does not appear that either of them sent out their whole force, only some parties or detachments, between which there were skirmishes:

David went out and fought with the Philistines - he went out with his thousand men, over which he was made captain, 1Sa_18:13; for he had not the command of the whole army; that belonged to Abner:

slew them with a great slaughter - he killed many of them in his engagements with them, and the rest fled, and he returned victorious; which stirred up the envy and increased the jealousy of Saul, So David continues his good service, though it was ill requited. They who are ill paid for doing good, yet must not be weary of well doing, remembering how bountiful a benefactor God is, even to the evil and unthankful.

1Sa 19:9 And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand.

And the evil spirit from the Lord - His envy and jealousy again returned, producing distraction of mind, which was exacerbated by diabolic influence. His melancholy and frantic disorder returned upon those victories of David, and he grew envious, jealous, spiteful, and malicious:

he sat in his house with his javelin his hand - which either describes the posture he was in when the evil spirit came upon him; or the effects of it, he became dull and melancholy, did not care to go abroad, but kept at home, and was suspicious of everybody;

David played with his hand - on some instrument of music, particularly the harp, to drive away the evil spirit, the melancholy disorder, from Saul;

And the evil spirit from the Lord - The thought expressed is, that the growth of Saul's melancholy was a sign of the hardness of heart to which Jehovah had given him up on account of his impenitence. David happily escaped this javelin also. He slipped away from Saul, so that he hurled the javelin into the wall; whereupon David fled and escaped the same night, the night after this occurrence. This remark somewhat anticipates the course of the events, as the author, according to the custom of Hebrew historians, gives the result at once, and then proceeds to describe in detail the more exact order of the events.

1Sa 19:10 And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.

David fled and escaped that night - This was the beginning of David’s life as a fugitive and outcast.

But he slipped away - He found he could not trust Saul; and therefore was continually on his watch. His agility of body was the means of his preservation at this time.

Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with his javelin - To strike it through him, and fasten him to the wall with it, as he had attempted before, 1Sa_18:11,

1Sa 19:11 Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain.

Saul sent messengers unto David's house - Saul’s plan was to surround the house at night, and to have David killed as soon as he came abroad unsuspectingly in the morning.

To slay him in the morning - When they might be able to distinguish between him and Michal his wife. Besides, Saul wished to represent him as a traitor; and consequently an attack upon him was justifiable at any time, even in the fullest daylight.

To slay him in the morning - the reason why he did not order them to break into the house, and slay him at once, but wait till morning, seems to be, lest should he be alarmed by their breaking in, he might take the advantage of the night, and easily escape, or another person through mistake might be slain for him; and therefore, that they might be sure of him, they were to watch till it was broad daylight, when they could not well miss him.

if thou save not thy life tonight, tomorrow thou shalt be slain - meaning, if he did not take the benefit and advantage of the night to make his escape, he would not be able to do it in the morning; the house being so beset, as she perceived, by persons whom she might suspect were sent by Saul to destroy him, knowing the ill will her father bore to him, or a messenger at the same time might be dispatched to her, either from her brother Jonathan, or from one of her friends at court, acquainting her with the design against David, and the danger he was in. Upon this occasion David penned the fifty ninth psalm, Psalms 59:1 To the Chief Musician. Do not destroy. A secret treasure of David, when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; defend me from those who rise up against me.

Saul sent messengers unto David's house --The fear of causing a commotion in the town, or favoring his escape in the darkness, seemed to have influenced the king in ordering them to patrol till the morning. This infatuation was overruled by Providence to favor David's escape; for his wife, secretly apprised by Jonathan, who was aware of the design, or by spying persons in court livery watching the gate, let him down through a window.

1Sa 19:12 So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped.

Let David down through a window - As Saul’s messengers were sent to David’s house to watch him, they would naturally guard the gate, or lie in wait in that place by which David would come out. Michal, seeing this let him down to the ground through a window probably at the back part of the house. In like manner as Rahab let down the spies from her house in Jericho, when the king's messengers were in quest of them, Jos_2:15 Then she let them go down by a cord through the window. For her house was on the town wall, and she lived on the wall and as the disciples let down the Apostle Paul at Damascus , to preserve him from the designs of the Jews upon him Acts 9:24-25 But their plot was known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night in order to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a basket.

1Sa 19:13 And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth.

Michal took an image - an image, or bust in human form, and as large as life, of a kind of household god, to the worship of which the Israelites, and especially women, were much addicted. The Hebrew word appears to mean any kind of image, in any kind of form, as a representative of some reality. Here it must have been something in the human form; because it was intended to represent a man lying in bed indisposed.

Michal took an image - Michal's stratagem to gain time till David got to a distance was allowable, but her falsehood had not even the plea of necessity to excuse it, and manifests that she was not influenced by the same spirit of piety which had dictated Jonathan's language to Saul.

A pillow of goats’ hair - It was probably a quilt or blanket of goats’ hair and of common use as a bed-covering. Whether Michal drew it over the head of the image, as if for warmth, and so covered it, or whether she disposed it about the head so as to look like hair, is not clear.

A pillow of goats’ hair - Rather, the net-work of goat’s hair which seems to have been a kind of mosquito-net. Spreading the goat's hair skin, so as to resemble human hair in a dishevelled state.

A pillow of goats’ hair – 1 Samuel 19:13 And Melchol took images, and laid them on the bed, and she put the liver of a goat by his head, and covered them with clothes. (Septuagint)

1Sa 19:14 And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick.

when Saul sent messengers to take David - Either the same who in the morning inquired for David, or those staying longer than Saul expected, and fearing they were negligent or corrupted, he sent others.

she said, he is sick; and in bed - and cannot be spoke with; this lie she told through her affection to David, and to preserve his life; and this stratagem she devised to gain time, that while she was amusing the messengers with this tale of hers, before they could discover the truth of the matter David would be out of their reach; whereas, had she denied his being at home, or signified that he had made his escape, they would have immediately pursued after him, and he would have been in danger of being taken by them.

1Sa 19:15 And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.

Saul sent the messengers again to see David - Not to visit him, or to see how he was, or inquire of his health, in a kind manner, but to see his person, whether he was sick or not, and whether he was there or not; for Saul might suspect some deceit was used, because the messengers took the report of Michal, and saw not David, nor attempted to see him; but now they have strict orders to see him, and not take Michal's word as before, 1Sa_19:14;

bring him up to me in the bed - if so bad that he was not able to rise, or not fit to be taken out of his bed, his orders were, that he should be brought to him in it; resolved he was to have him, sick or well: His sickness would not matter given the ultimate end Saul had planned for him.

that I may slay him - not content that he should die a natural death, or willing to wait for it, he is in haste, being full of wrath and malice, to slay him himself.

1Sa 19:16 And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster.

1Sa 19:17 And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?

Why should I kill thee - To avert Saul’s anger from herself, she pretended that David had threatened her life unless she facilitated his escape. This she said to excuse herself to her father: as a wife she could do not less than favor the escape of her husband, being perfectly satisfied that there was no guilt in him. There were 2 parts to the lie here: 1) that David threatened her with death if she did not allow him to escape and 2) that David came up with the idea of escaping.

why hast thou deceived me so - for deceiving his messengers was deceiving him, by pretending David was sick and in bed, when she had placed an image there, and had let him down through a window.

sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped - as if she was more obliged to gratify the wicked passion of a father and king, than to provide for the safety of her husband:

1Sa 19:18 So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.

David fled, and escaped to Samuel - He, no doubt, came to this holy man to ask advice; and Samuel thought it best to retain him for the present, with himself at Naioth, where it is supposed he had a school of prophets.

came to Samuel to Ramah - the place where Samuel dwelt: to him David chose to come, by whom he had been anointed king, that he might have some advice and direction from him what he should do, and what course he should take in his present circumstances, and that he might receive some comfort from him under his present troubles:

dwelt in Naioth - Here being a school or college of the prophets, might be a kind of an asylum, and where it might be thought Saul would not attempt to lay hands on David, should he know where he was; for if the Philistines gave no disturbance to the hill of God, and the prophets in it, 1Sa_10:5; it might be reasonably concluded Saul would not;

1Sa 19:19 And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.

David is at Naioth, in Ramah - Ramah was the name of a hill, or mountain, so called from its height, and Naioth the name of a place on it; it signifies pastures and pleasant places, as meadows and pastures are; and here in the fields near Ramah was the house of doctrine, as the Targum calls it, or the school of the prophets, being pleasant and retired, and fit for study.

1Sa 19:20 And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.

The Spirit of God was upon the messengers - They partook of the same influence, and joined in the same exercise; and thus were prevented from seizing David.

Saul sent messengers to take David - Notwithstanding the sacred place he was in, so bent was he upon his destruction:

they saw the company of the prophets prophesying - or praising, as the Targum; singing hymns and songs of praise to God, under the inspiration and influence of the Spirit of God; these prophets belonged to the school or college of prophets at Naioth.

Samuel standing as appointed over them - he stood to instruct and teach them in the knowledge of divine things: so the Targum,"standing, teaching over them or by them,''and to direct and assist them in singing their songs of praise:

1Sa 19:21 And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also.

he sent other messengers - The same thing happened to a second and third company of messengers, whom Saul sent one after another when the thing was reported to him.

And when it was told Saul - That the messengers he had sent, instead of seizing on David, were prophesying of him, or however were attending to services of a different nature than what they were sent upon:

they prophesied also - joined the rest in singing praises, or foretelling future events.

1Sa 19:22 Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu: and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah.

To a great well - Some large well-known cistern at Sechu, the site of which is uncertain, which Saul passed on his way from Gibeah to Ramah.

Then went he also to Ramah - That is, Saul; his messengers not returning to him, when he sent one after another to take David, at length he set out himself from Gibeah to Ramah:

1Sa 19:23 And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah.

He went on, and prophesied - The Divine Spirit seemed to have seized him at the well of Sechu; and he went on from that prophesying - praying, singing praises, etc.; till he came to Naioth.

prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah - in this he differed from his messengers; they did not prophesy till they came to that place, but Saul began to prophesy before he came thither, as he was in his way from the well to it. It came upon him in the way; whereas it came not upon his messengers 'till they came to the place. Hereby God would convince Saul of the vanity of his designs against David, and that in them he fought against God himself.

1Sa 19:24 And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets?

He stripped off his clothes - Threw off his royal robes or military dress, retaining only his tunic; and continued so all that day and all that night, uniting with the sons of the prophets in prayers, singing praises, and other religious exercises, which were unusual to kings and warriors; and this gave rise to the saying, Is Saul also among the prophets? By bringing both him and his men thus under a Divine influence, God prevented them from injuring the person of David. The whole history affords another instance of the protection of God vouchsafed to His servants, which forms so frequent a topic of the Psalms of David.

he stripped off his clothes also - Not all his clothes, but his upper garments, as men in such circumstances used to do, as the prophets sometimes did, and as it seems his messengers had done;

prophesied before Samuel in like manner - as the messengers had done, singing such like songs, or foretelling such like things as they did; he and they speaking not of themselves, but as they were moved by the Holy Spirit of prophecy; for such gifts have sometimes been bestowed on men that were destitute of the grace of God, as Balaam, Caiaphas, and others: Thus God, in making the wrath of man to praise Him, preserved the lives of all the prophets, frustrated all the purposes of Saul, and preserved the life of His servant.

naked all that day - not entirely naked, both without his upper garment or royal robes, or else his armor; so an unarmed man is said to be naked, though otherwise he has his clothes on:

Lay down all that day and night - Heb. fell, down upon the earth; for his mind being in an ecstasy, he had not the use of his senses. God so ordering it, that David might have an opportunity to escape.

1 Samuel 18

1Sa 18:1 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

When he had made an end of speaking - These first five verses are omitted by the Septuagint.

Jonathan loved him as his own soul – A deep friendship subsisted between them; and they loved each other with fervent brotherly love. No love was lost between them; each was worthy of the other. They had a friendship which could not be affected with changes or chances. He loved him as he loved himself.

1Sa 18:2 And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house.

Saul would let him go no more home-- By which it appears, that before this David had not his constant residence at court. He was established as a permanent resident at court.

1Sa 18:3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.

Then Jonathan and David made a covenant - A covenant of friendship; entered into a solemn agreement to keep up and maintain a cordial respect to each other, and to support each other's interest both in life and after death, whoever was the survivor; and in consequence of this David had a friend at court, when Saul fell out with him, and who pleaded his cause, and discovered his father's plots, and was the means of preserving David's life:

Then Jonathan and David made a covenant--Such covenants of brotherhood are frequent in the East. They are ratified by certain ceremonies, and in presence of witnesses, that the persons covenanting will be sworn brothers for life.

because he loved him as his own soul - so that this covenant was not founded in mere words, but in sincere and cordial affection, and was lasting and inviolable.

1Sa 18:4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.

Jonathan stripped himself - Presents of clothes or rich robes, in token of respect and friendship, are frequent in the East. Frequently arms and clothing were presented by warriors to each other in token of friendship.

Jonathan stripped himself - As a token of his hearty love and true friendship, and that David might appear at court not in the habit of a shepherd, but in that of a prince:

Jonathan stripped himself of the robe --To receive any part of the dress which had been worn by a sovereign, or his eldest son and heir, is deemed, in the East, the highest honor which can be conferred on a subject. The girdle, being connected with the sword and the bow, may be considered as being part of the military dress, and great value is attached to it.

1Sa 18:5 And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.

Set him over the men of war - that is, of some of them, gave him the command of a troop; for Abner was captain or general of the army, and continued so:

David went out whithersoever Saul sent him - About any business whatsoever, especially about martial affairs, for which he was abundantly qualified:

behaved himself wisely - in the management of them, using great prudence and discretion, and so failed not of success, and of recommending himself; he was prosperous and successful in whatsoever he engaged, for the Lord was with him, and blessed him:

he was accepted in the sight of all the people - of all the people in the land in general, of all that knew or heard of him; being looked upon as a wise, valiant, and successful commander, and which gained him the esteem and affection of the people:

also in the sight of Saul's servants - which was very much, and a rare thing, for in general the servants were too apt to envy such as are rising in their credit and reputation;

1Sa 18:6 And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick.

From striking the Philistine - either from the slaughter of Goliath, with his head in his hand, going to Jerusalem , and Saul accompanying him; or rather from the slaughter of the Philistines at some other time, this seems to be done after David was brought to court, and had been made a captain, and had been sent out on military expeditions, and had been successful therein, and from one of which he now returned

Singing and dancing - Women used to dance to the sound of the timbrel, and to sing as they danced and played. It was the principal business of certain women to celebrate victories, sing at funerals.

With instruments of music - The original word signifies instruments with three strings; Possibly an instrument well known as being used among the ancient Egyptians called a sistrum: it was made of brass, and had three, sometimes more, brass rods across; which, being loose in their holes, made a jingling noise when the instrument was shaken.

the women came out of all cities of Israel--in the homeward march from the pursuit of the Philistines. On the return of friends long absent, and particularly on the return of a victorious army, bands of women and children issue from the towns and villages, to form a triumphal procession, to celebrate the victory, and, as they go along, to gratify the soldiers with dancing, instrumental music, and extempore songs, in honor of the generals who have earned the highest distinction by feats of gallantry. The Hebrew women, therefore, were merely paying the customary gratulations to David as the deliverer of their country, but they committed a great indiscretion by praising a subject at the expense of their sovereign.

1Sa 18:7 And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.

1Sa 18:8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?

Saul was very wroth - Partly because they called him plain Saul, and not King Saul; did not give him his royal title, and so had given more honor to an inferior officer than to the commander-in-chief, more to a subject than to a sovereign:

what can he have more but the kingdom - some think that Saul knew, by the prudent behavior of David, and the favor he was in with God and men, and by these commendations of the women, that the kingdom would be his; and that the words of Samuel were true, and would be confirmed, that the kingdom would be rent from him, and given to his neighbor better than he.

1Sa 18:9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.

Saul eyed David from that day - he looked at him with a sour, ill natured look; he looked at him with an evil, spiteful, malicious, and envious eye; or he diligently watched and observed all his motions and actions, whether they tended to disloyalty and treason, to dethrone him, and take the kingdom to himself, which he was suspicious of; he laid wait for him.

1Sa 18:10 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand.

He prophesied in the midst – the Hebrew word does not mean to prophesy in this instance, but “to rave” according to one scholar.

He prophesied in the midst – The effect of the evil spirit coming upon him. It is impossible to give the sense of “raving” to the word “prophesied,” as though a merely natural state of frenzy were intended. The “prophesying” here was as directly the effect of the coming of the evil spirit upon Saul, as the “prophesying” in 1Sa_10:10 was the effect of the Spirit of God coming upon him. At the same time it is quite true that “madness” and “prophesyings” were considered as near akin Jer_29:26 The LORD has made you priest instead of Jehoiada the priest, to be officers in the house of the LORD, over every madman who prophesies, that you should put him into the stocks and into the collar. Evil spirits prophesied elsewhere in the bible too Act_16:16-18 And as we went to prayer, it happened that a certain girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by divining. The same followed Paul and us and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the Most High God, who are announcing to us the way of salvation. And she did this many days. But being distressed, and turning to the demonic spirit, Paul said, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her! And it came out in that hour. 1John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but try the spirits to see if they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

he prophesied in the midst of the house - either delivering out divine songs, as the prophets did; or he feigned himself a prophet, mimicking their motions and gestures; or, as the Targum, acted like a mad man, or a fool, uttering foolish words, and using ridiculous gestures, which seems most agreeable to the evil spirit in him: The meaning seems to be, that Saul, influenced by the evil spirit, feigned to be prophesying, the better to conceal his murderous intentions, and to render David unsuspicious.

David played with his hand as at other times - upon his harp, to remove the evil spirit, or melancholy disposition from Saul; for though he was now advanced at court, and an officer in the army, and high in the affections and applause of the people: yet he did not think it below him to act as a musician, to do service to his prince; of such an humble, kind, and ingenuous disposition was he:

1Sa 18:11 And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.

Saul cast the javelin - The javelin or spear was the emblem of regal authority; kings always had it at hand, and in ancient monuments they are always represented with it.

I will smite David even to the wall with it - he determined to cast it with such force and violence, that it should pierce through David, and enter into the very wall

David avoided out of his presence twice - to escape the javelin cast at him; one scholar thinks, that David, while he was playing, his eyes were so fixed upon his own hands, that he was not aware of the javelin, and turned himself from Saul without intention both times, and so escaped without knowledge of it; such was the good providence of God towards him, and which, when Saul perceived, it wrought upon him.

David avoided out of his presence twice - The fact that David did not leave Saul immediately after this attempt upon his life, may be explained not merely on the supposition that he looked upon this attack as being simply an outburst of momentary madness, which would pass away, but still more from his firm believing confidence, which kept him from forsaking the post in which the Lord had placed him without any act of his own, until he saw that Saul was plotting to take his life, not merely in these fits of insanity, but also at other times, in calm deliberation.

1Sa 18:12 And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.

Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him - Protecting and preserving him, prospering and succeeding him, giving him victory over his enemies, and favor among the people;

and was departed from Saul - so that he was destitute of courage, and greatness of mind, and of wisdom and prudence, and became mean and abject, and exposed himself to the contempt of his subjects.

Saul was afraid of David - In this fear of David on the part of Saul, the true reason for his hostile behavior is pointed out with deep psychological truth. The fear arose from the consciousness that the Lord had departed from him, - a consciousness which forced itself involuntarily upon him, and drove him to make the attempt, in a fit of madness, to put David to death.

1Sa 18:13 Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.

Made him his captain - This was under pretense of doing him honor, when it was in effect only to rid himself of the object of his envy, partly to cover his malice, and please the people, and partly in hope that he might be slain by the enemy at the head of his troop.

Therefore Saul removed him - From court, partly that he might be out of his sight, having such an hatred of his person that he could not bear to see him, and partly that he might be safer from any designs of his upon his life, which he might fear, because of his treatment of him:

he went out and came in before the people - or at the head of them; he led them out to war, and returned with them in safety, with victory and in triumph, with great honor, and highly respected by them; quite contrary to the intention and hope of Saul.

Therefore Saul removed him - Saul was sensible that the Lord was departed from him; while he perceived, with evident sorrow of heart, that the Lord had given David peculiar wisdom, and that he was with him to prosper all his undertakings. This increased the disquietude of his malevolent mind, and his dread of David as a prevailing rival. he therefore removed him from his presence. This impolitic step, however, served the more to ingratiate David with the people, by affording him the opportunity of leading them forth to victory over their enemies.

made him captain over a thousand--gave him a military commission, which was intended to be an honorable exile. But this post of duty served only to draw out before the public the extraordinary and varied qualities of his character, and to give him a stronger hold of the people's affections.

1Sa 18:14 And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.

David behaved himself wisely in all his ways - Both in the court and in the camp, in whatsoever service he was employed; or "prospered", as the word also signifies.

1Sa 18:15 Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.

He was afraid of him - lest the time was drawing near that the kingdom should be rent from him, and given to David.

1Sa 18:16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.

And all Israel and Judah loved David - The verb is singular, and denotes that everyone of them loved him in all the tribes of Israel, as well as in Judah his own tribe; in such general esteem was he, and so much had he got the hearts and affections of the people:

1Sa 18:17 And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD'S battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.

daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife - Saul had not hitherto fulfilled the promise of which David had heard; nor was it unnatural that Saul should delay to do so, until the shepherd’s boy had risen to a higher rank.

And Saul said to David - Not in friendship and good will to him, but designing to lay a snare for him:

fight the Lord's battles - he knew he was a valiant man, and ready enough to fight; but he expected that in consideration of such a favor, and such high honor as this, that he would exert himself in an extraordinary manner, and engage in hazardous attempts, and show himself worthy to be the son of a king, in the defense of him and of his country, and for the glory of the God of Israel; all this he suggests, that he should expose his life to such danger, that it might be hoped it would be taken away:

let not mine hand be upon him - he had attempted to lay hands on him, or to kill him with his own hands, but now he thought better, and considered how the people would view him.

let the hand of the Philistines be upon him - he hoped by these means that he would fall by their hands at the head of his troop, while he was displaying his valor, and hazarding his life for the good of his king and country; what Saul contrived for David instead was Saul’s end, he died in battle with the Philistines, 1Sa_31:2-4 And the Philistines followed Saul and his sons. And the Philistines killed Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchishua, Saul's sons. And the battle went hard against Saul. And the archers hit him, and he was sorely wounded by the archers. And Saul said to his armor-bearer, Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised ones come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armor-bearer would not, for he was very much afraid. So Saul took a sword and fell on it.

Behold my elder daughter Merab - Though bound to this already [1Sa_17:25], he had found it convenient to forget his former promise. He now holds it out as a new offer, which would tempt David to give additional proofs of his valor. But the fickle and perfidious monarch broke his pledge at the time when the marriage was on the eve of being celebrated, and bestowed Merab on another man 1 Samuel 18: 19 And it happened at the time when Merab, Saul's daughter should have been given to David, she was given to Adriel the Meholathite to be his wife; an indignity as well as a wrong, which was calculated deeply to wound the feelings and provoke the resentment of David. Perhaps it was intended to do so, that advantage might be taken of his indiscretion. But David was preserved from this snare.

1Sa 18:18 And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?

What is my life - condition, or means of living. In these expressions David shows not only his humility, but also his wisdom, in discovering so deep a sense of his own meanness, that Saul might see how far he was from aspiring at the kingdom.

David said unto Saul - Surprised at the offer Saul made him, yet not refusing it, but expressing himself with great modesty and humility:

who am I - as to his person, parentage, and employment, mean and despicable, at least in his own eyes.

1Sa 18:19 But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul's daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife.

Adriel the Meholathite - Saul did not keep his promise. When the time arrived for its fulfillment, he gave his daughter to Adriel the Meholathite, a man of whom nothing further is known. The five sons of this marriage perished by the hands of the Gibeonites, where we learn further that the name of Adriel’s father, or ancestor, was Barzillai. His birth-place was Meholah, probably the same as Abel-Meholah. 2 Sam 21:8-9 But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bore to Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth, and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she bore to Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite. And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites. And they hanged them in the hill before Jehovah. And they fell, seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest. Michal had no children of her own, but did raise her sisters children after the death of her sister Merab. This verse considers Michal to be the one who bore them, since she raised them.

She was given to Adriel - This was an act of great injustice; and accordingly this marriage was accursed by God, and the children begotten in it, were, by God's appointment cut off.

Merab is not married to David - The pretext under which Saul broke his promise is not given.

1Sa 18:20 And Michal Saul's daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him.

The thing pleased him - Not from any favor to David, but he saw that it would be turned to the advancement of his malicious purposes, and the more so when, by the artful intrigues and flattery of his spies, the loyal sentiments of David were discovered.

1Sa 18:21 And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.

In the one of the twain - Some prefer “the second time”. The first contract had been broken by giving Merab to Adriel.

That she may be a snare to him - Saul had already determined the condition on which he would give his daughter to David; that he should slay one hundred Philistines: this he supposed he would undertake for the love of Michal, and that he must necessarily perish in the attempt; and thus Michal would become a snare to him.

That she may be a snare to him - The cause and occasion of his fall and ruin, by means of what he should propose to him as the condition of marriage; but instead of proving a snare to him, she was the means of his deliverance, when Saul sent messengers to slay him, 1Sa_19:11 Saul also sent messengers to David's house to watch him and to kill him in the morning. And David's wife Michal told him saying, If you do not save your life tonight, tomorrow you shall be killed.

that the hand of the Philistines may be against him - provoked by the condition of marriage he set before David. The scheme he had in his head after appears, and what he now said was not openly said before his servants and courtiers, but this he said within himself, conceived and contrived it in his own mind:

be my son in law in the one of the twain - by marrying one of his two daughters; signifying, that he would not defer the marriage, or put it off to a longer time, as he had done before, but that he should be married immediately to one or other of his daughters; and seeing he could not have the eldest, she being disposed of, he should have the youngest, and so be equally his son-in-law. He should be his son-in-law on two accounts, one by betrothing Merab, though he was not married to her, and the other by being married to Michal, so that he would be doubly his son in law; but the first sense is best.

1Sa 18:22 And Saul commanded his servants, saying, Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the king's son in law.

Saul commanded his servants - Saul therefore employed his courtiers to persuade David to accept his offer. And persuade him to marry Michal, and assure him of Saul's real regard to him, and good intention towards him; for it seems that David being ill used in the affair of his eldest daughter, did not listen to the proposals of Saul as to the youngest, and therefore Saul took this method to bring him into them:

1Sa 18:23 And Saul's servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king's son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?

David replied to the courtiers - This reply was given by David in perfect sincerity, since he could not possibly suppose that the king would give him his daughter without a considerable marriage portion. David is apparently utterly unable to offer anything like a suitable dowry to the king.

A poor man and lightly esteemed - Psa_119:141 I am small and despised; yet I do not forget Your commandments.

seemeth it to you a light thing - a small a trifling matter, an easy thing to come into, every thing requisite to it:

lightly esteemed - not by the people of Israel and Judah , who loved him, as he was loved even by the servants of Saul, at least in profession; but by Saul himself, who had slighted him in giving his elder daughter to another man, when he had promised her to him, which was discouraging to David, and resented by him.

1Sa 18:24 And the servants of Saul told him, saying, On this manner spake David.

1Sa 18:25 And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

An hundred foreskins – he required or desired no other dowry of David, but that he would slay an hundred Philistines, and bring their foreskins to him; As neither David nor his family were in circumstances to give a suitable dowry for a princess, the king intimated that he would be graciously pleased to accept some gallant deed in the public service.

a hundred foreskins of the Philistines--Such mutilations on the bodies of their slain enemies were commonly practised in ancient war, and the number told indicated the glory of the victory. Saul's willingness to accept a public service had an air of liberality, while his choice of so difficult and hazardous a service seemed only putting a proper value on gaining the hand of a king's daughter. But he covered unprincipled malice against David under this proposal, which exhibited a zeal for God and the covenant of circumcision.

1Sa 18:26 And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king's son in law: and the days were not expired.

The days were not expired - That is, the time allowed by Saul to David for the execution of this exploit. David was so rapid in his attack upon the Philistines that he was able to bring the required dowry within the time within which he was to receive his wife. The words “and the days were not full” form a circumstantial clause, which is to be connected with the following sentence, “David arose,” etc. David delivered twice the price demanded.

1Sa 18:27 Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king's son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife.

slew of the Philistines two hundred men – 1 Samuel

18:27 And David arose, and went, he and his men, and smote among the Philistines a hundred men: and he brought their foreskins, and he becomes the king's son-in-law, and [Saul] gives him Melchol his daughter to wife. (Septuagint) Saul covenanted with David for a hundred; and David himself saysthat he espoused Michal for a hundred: 2Sa_3:14 And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul's son, saying, Deliver my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to me for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

slew of the Philistines two hundred men - This he did himself, for the verb is singular, and which were an hundred more than required; this he did to show his regard to the orders of Saul, and his obedience to him, and to testify the sincerity of his affections to his daughter, for whose sake he risked his life in this expedition, as well as to express his zeal for God, and his country, against their avowed enemies.

Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife - which he could not in honor refuse to do, seeing he had performed the condition he had required.

1Sa 18:28 And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him.

And Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David - The knowledge of the fact that David had carried out all his enterprises with success had already filled the melancholy king with fear. But when the failure of this new plan for devoting David to certain death had forced the conviction upon him that Jehovah was with David, and that he was miraculously protected by Him; and when, in addition to this, there was the love of his daughter Michal to David; his fear of David grew into a lifelong enmity. Thus his evil spirit urged him ever forward to greater and greater hardness of heart.

And Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David - This he perceived by the favor he gave him among men, by overruling all the steps Saul took to do him hurt, for his good, and in giving him success in all that he engaged in;

Michal, Saul's daughter, loved him - and therefore could entertain no hope of making use of her as an instrument of his ruin, but, on the contrary, would, out of her great affection to her husband, betray the designs of her father against him, and do all she could to preserve him.

1Sa 18:29 And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually.

Saul was yet the more afraid of David - Because the Lord was with him, and his wife loved him; so that he feared he should never be able to accomplish his designs, and that this marriage, which he intended as the means of his ruin, would pave the way for his ascending the throne:

Saul became David's enemy continually - was every day giving fresh evidence of his enmity against him; now enmity was rooted and habituated, and was constant and continually showing itself.

1Sa 18:30 Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.

Then the princes of the Philistines went forth - Probably to avenge themselves on David and the Israelites: but of this war we know no more than that David was more skillful and successful in it than any of the other officers of Saul. His military skill was greater, and his success was proportionate to his skill and courage; hence it is said, he behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul.

Then the princes of the Philistines went forth - Out of their cities in troops, to revenge and spoil the land of Israel, being enraged at their defeat when Goliath their champion was slain, and at the injury and dishonor done them by David very lately in slaying two hundred of them, and taking off their foreskins; perhaps having heard of the marriage of David, and understanding the Israelites had a law, that a newly married man might not go to the war the first year, took this opportunity of invading and spoiling them; whereas David understood that law better than they, and knew it referred not to a voluntary war, but to that which was the command of God against the seven nations; and even in that case, as some think, it did not oblige such persons to remain at home, but left it to their choice to do as they pleased:

David behaved himself more wisely - showed himself to be more expert in the art of war, and formed designs with great wisdom and prudence, and which he as wisely executed, as well as with great courage and valour, to the annoyance and defeat of the enemy, and to the advantage, defence, and safety of the people of Israel; or he was more "prosperous" than they, as the Targum, and so others interpret it; he was more successful in his attacks on the Philistines, and in his skirmishes with them:

his name was much set by - he was in high esteem with the people; his name was "precious" to them; they made mention of it, with great honor and glory; so that Saul failed much, and was greatly disappointed in the scheme he had formed against him,

Then the princes of the Philistines went forth - Of this war we know no more than that David, whose military skill was greater, was more successful in it, than all the other officers of Saul.

1 Samuel 17

1Sa 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim.

Now the Philistines gathered together – One scholar thinks the narrative reverts to the Philistine wars 1Sa_14:52; the other introductory details concerning Saul’s rejection, and David’s introduction upon the stage of the history, having been disposed of in the intermediate chapters. Another scholar thinks that this war happened eight years after the anointing of David, and ten or twelve years after the war with the Amalekites.

Now the Philistines gathered together – Josephus says this was not long after the things related in the preceding chapter were transacted; and very probably they had heard of the melancholy and distraction of Saul, and thought it a proper opportunity of avenging themselves on Israel for their last slaughter of them, and for that purpose gathered together their dispersed troops:

Now the Philistines gathered together – Probably they had heard, that Samuel had forsaken Saul, and that Saul himself was unfit for business. The enemies of the church are watchful to take all advantages, and they never have greater advantage, than when her protectors have provoked God's Spirit and prophets to leave them.

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 .

the Philistines gathered together their armies--Some time after David first came to Saul for the purpose of playing, and when he had gone back to his father to Bethlehem , probably because Saul's condition had improved, the Philistines made a fresh attempt to subjugate the Israelites.

Shochoh and Azekah - Places which lay to the south of Jerusalem and to the west of Bethlehem ; Ephes-dammim was somewhere in the vicinity.

were gathered at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah - a city of the tribe of Judah, Jos_15:35, which shows that, notwithstanding their last defeat, they had great footing in the land of Israel , or however had penetrated far into it in this march of theirs:

A war between the Philistines and the Israelites furnished David with the opportunity of displaying before Saul and all Israel, and greatly to the terror of the enemies of his people, that heroic power which was firmly based upon his bold and pious trust in the omnipotence of the faithful covenant God (1Sa_17:1-3).

1Sa 17:2 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines.

The valley of Elah - of the terebinth, Some translate this the turpentine valley, or the valley of the terebinth trees; and others, the valley of oaks.

Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together - He being cured, at least being better of his disorder, through the music of David, and alarmed and aroused by the invasion of the Philistines, which might serve to dissipate any remains of it, or prevent its return, got together his forces:

1Sa 17:3 And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.

1Sa 17:4 And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.

A champion - literally, “a man between the two camps:” one who did not fight in the ranks like an ordinary soldier, but came forth into the space between the hostile camps to challenge the mightiest man of his enemies to come and fight him.

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.

Goliath of Gath - One of the places mentioned in Jos_11:22 There were none of the giants left in the land of the sons of Israel; only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod there remained some. as still retaining a remnant of the sons of Anak; Gaza and Ashdod being the others. The race of giants (the Rephaim) is mentioned again in the account of David’s Philistine wars 2Sa_21:15-22; 1Ch_20:4-8. It appears from these passages that Goliath had a brother Lahmi. Four are named as being “born to the giant in Gath .” Deu_2:10-11, Deu_2:20-21; Deu_3:11-13.

Six cubits - If the cubit, the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, is about 1 12 feet; and the span, the distance from the thumb to the middle or little finger, when stretched apart to the full length, be half a cubit, six cubits and a span would equal about nine feet nine inches. The bed of Og king of Bashan was nine cubits long Deu_3:11.

1Sa 17:5 And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.

Coat of mail - Or “breastplate of scales.” A kind of metal shirt, protecting the back as well as the breast, and made of scales like those of a fish. A coat of mail formed of plates of brass overlapping each other, like the scales of a fish, or tiles of a house, so close together that no dart or arrow could pierce between. The terms, helmet, coat, and clothed are the same as those used in Isa_59:17.

Five thousand shekels - Probably about 125 pounds.

1Sa 17:6 And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders.

A target of brass - Rather, “a javelin.” as in 1Sa_17:45, and placed between the shoulders, as the quiver was. When not actually engaged, soldiers threw their shields behind their back, so that they appeared to rest or hang between the shoulders. However, it is clear from other verses that 1) his armor bearer carried his shield and 2) he had a javelin that he carried. 1Sa_17:41 And the Philistine came on and drew near David. And the man who bore the shield was before him. 1Sa_17:45 And David said to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of Jehovah of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

Greaves of brass upon his legs - This species of armor may be seen on many ancient monuments. It was a plate of brass which covered the shin or fore part of the leg, from the knee down to the instep, and was buckled with straps behind the leg.

Greaves of brass upon his legs - Which were a sort of boots, or leg harnesses, which covered the thighs and legs down to the heels; such as Iolaus and the Grecians usually wore, as described by Homer;

1Sa 17:7 And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him.

Six hundred shekels of iron – 15 pounds of iron.

The staff on his spear was like a weaver’s beam - Either like that on which the warp is rolled, or that on which the cloth is rolled. We know not how thick this was, because there were several sorts of looms, and the sizes of the beams very dissimilar.

1Sa 17:8 And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.

Am I not a Philistine - The Targum adds much to this speech. This is the substance: “I am Goliath the Philistine of Gath, who killed the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas the priests; and led into captivity the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, and placed it in the temple of Dagon my god; and it remained in the cities of the Philistines seven months. Also, in all our battles I have gone at the head of the army, and we conquered and cut down men, and laid them as low as the dust of the earth; and to this day the Philistines have not granted me the honor of being chief of a thousand men. And ye, men of Israel , what noble exploit has Saul, the son of Kish , of Gibeah, done, that ye should have made him king over you? If he be a hero, let him come down himself and fight with me; but if he be a weak or cowardly man, then choose you out a man that he may come down to me.” Some of these claims are notoriously false; for in every battle after the taking of the ark the Philistines had been beaten.

am not I a Philistine - a common Philistine, according tto one scholar, not a captain of a hundred, or of a thousand; and yet would fight anyone of them, their general officers, or be they who they would. Another scholar claims he was a prince among the Philistines, and king of Gath ; and though it was usual with great persons to engage with their equals, yet he did not insist on that; but would engage with any man, though of an inferior rank, even with any of Saul's servants;

he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel - He stood in the valley between the two armies, and cried with a loud voice that he might be heard; and as he was of such a monstrous stature, no doubt his voice was very strong and sonorous; and as the battalions of Israel designed by armies were posted on the mountain or hill, his voice would ascend, and be the more easily heard:

why are ye come out to set your battle in array - either as wondering at their boldness, to set themselves in battle array against the Philistines; or rather suggesting that it was needless, since the dispute between them might be issued by a single combat:

choose you a man for you - the challenge first respects Saul their king; that if he was a man of fortitude and courage, let him come and engage with him; if not, choose another, and send him down into the valley to fight with him.

1Sa 17:9 If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.

Then will we be your servants - It does not appear he had any commission or authority to say; nor did the Philistines think themselves obliged to abide by what he said, since, when he was slain, they did not yield themselves servants to the Israelites: Of this stipulation we hear nothing farther.

then shall ye be our servants - to which terms also the Israelites did not consent; nor did David, who engaged with him, enter the fray on such conditions.

1Sa 17:10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.

I defy the armies of Israel -- 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.

I defy the armies of Israel -- Or "reproach" them; that is, should they not accept his challenge, and send down a man to fight with them, he should then upbraid them with cowardice; and now he disdained them, as if there was not a man among them that dared to encounter with him:

1Sa 17:11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.

they were dismayed, and greatly afraid - which may seem strange, when there were so many valiant men among them, as Saul himself, who had behaved with so much courage against the Ammonites, Philistines, and Amalekites; but now the Spirit of God was departed from him, and he was become timorous and fearful; and though he was much better than he had been, yet still he was not the man of spirit and resolution as before: there was also Abner, the general of his army, a very valiant man, a great man in Israel, and yet appears not on this occasion; and, what is more wonderful, Jonathan the son of Saul was present, as appears from 1Sa_18:1 who had not only smitten a garrison of the Philistines, but with one man more only had attacked another garrison, and routed the whole army of the Philistines, and yet now shows not his head against a single man: so it is when God cuts off the spirits of princes, or takes away their courage; victory over this man, and the glory of it, were reserved for David; and all this fear and dread throughout the armies of Israel were suffered, that he might appear the more glorious.

When Saul and all Israel heard these words - For they were delivered with such a tone and strength of voice, as to be heard very generally, at least by many, and which soon was reported through the whole army:

1Sa 17:12 Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.

The 12th verse, to the 31st inclusive, are wanting in the Septuagint; as also the 41st verse; and from the 54th to the end; with the first five verses of 1 Samuel 18, and the 9th, 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, and 19th of the same.

he had eight sons - seven only are mentioned, 1Ch_2:13

the man went among men - the phrase, "among men", either signifies that he was ranked among old men, infirm and unfit for war, and so excused, and his sons went in his stead; or he was reckoned among men of the first rank, men of esteem, credit, and reputation, with which agrees the Targum; or whenever he went abroad, he was attended by many men, had a large retinue; most manuscript versions read "stricken in years", which seems most agreeable.

Old man - Therefore he went not himself to the camp.

David's arrival in the camp, and wish to fight with Goliath - This first heroic deed was of the greatest importance to David and all Israel , for it was David's first step on the way to the throne, to which Jehovah had resolved to raise him. The intention of this narrative is to set forth most distinctly the marvellous overruling of all the circumstances by God himself. The form of the narrative, abounds in repetitions, that appear to us tautological in many instances, but which belong to the characteristic peculiarities of the early Hebrew style of historical composition.

1Sa 17:13 And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.

1Sa 17:14 And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul.

the three eldest followed Saul – repeated here in this next verse, that it might be observed that they only of Jesse's sons followed Saul; not David particularly, but who was providentially sent to the army at the time the Philistine was defying it.

1Sa 17:15 But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.

David went and returned - From Saul's court: where having relieved Saul, he was permitted to go to his father's house, to be sent for again upon occasion.

1Sa 17:16 And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.

And the Philistine drew near - Twice a day he came near the camp, within the hearing of it. The Jews say, he took those seasons on purpose to disturb them in reading their "Shema", or "hear, O Israel", &c. and saying their prayers morning and evening:

presented himself forty days - Successively, before the armies of Israel , daring them to send down a man to fight with him, and reproaching them for their cowardice in not doing it. Whilst the Philistine was coming out every day for forty days long with his challenge to single combat, Jesse sent his son David into the camp.

1Sa 17:17 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren;

And Jesse said unto David - His youngest son, that was at home with him keeping sheep; he had three more at home, and who were elder than David, and yet he is directed by the providence of God to pick and send him on the following errand, there being work for him to do that Jesse knew nothing of:

an ephah of this parched corn - this was wheat or barley dried in a furnace or oven, and ground into meal, and being mixed with water, or milk, or butter, or honey, or oil, was eaten, and reckoned very delicious; Now an "ephah" was as much as ten men could eat in a day, it consisted of ten omers.

Take now for thy brethren --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.

1Sa 17:18 And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.

Carry these ten cheeses - They do not make what we call cheese: they press the milk but slightly, and carry it in rush baskets. It is highly salted, and little different from curds.

the captain of their thousand - Their chiliarch or colonel, who had the command of 1000 men, and under whom Jesse's sons fought; these cheeses were sent by Jesse to the captain, to be distributed among his men, or a present to himself, that he might use his sons well who were under his command:

look how thy brethren fare - whether in good health, in good spirits, and in safety:

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.

1Sa 17:19 Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.

fighting with the Philistines - not actually engaged in battle, but drawn up for it; prepared and in readiness to engage whenever it was necessary, or they were obliged to it; and perhaps there might be now and then some skirmishes in the outer parts of the camp.

1Sa 17:20 And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle.

he came to the trench - Rather, “the wagons,” which were all put together in the camp so as to form a kind of bulwark or fortification. Here David left his “carriage” 1Sa_17:22, the things which he had carried, or baggage. There seems to have been an officer (“the keeper,” 1Sa_17:22) in the Hebrew army whose charge it was to guard the baggage.

David rose up early in the morning - Being very ready and eager to obey his father's orders, and visit his brethren:

as the host was going forth to the fight - preparing and getting every thing ready to the battle, and in motion, and upon the march to meet the enemy:

shouted for the battle - which was usually done when about to make the onset, to animate the soldiers, and strike the greater terror into the enemy.

1Sa 17:21 For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.

For Israel and all the Philistines had put the battle in array - Both sides prepared for it, and drew up in line of battle:

1Sa 17:22 And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.

And David left his carriage - That is, he left load of provisions he brought with him in the hand of the keeper of the bag and baggage of the army, their clothes, and such like things; not having an opportunity to deliver them to his brethren, who were just going to engage in battle:

and ran into the army - which showed the valor and courage of David, who chose rather to expose himself in battle, than to abide with the keeper of the carriages:

saluted his brethren - asked them of their welfare, in his father's name and his own.

1Sa 17:23 And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.

And as he talked with them - About their health, and the errand he came upon, and the message of his father to them, and how it was with him, who sent them his best wishes:

out of the armies of the Philistines - from where they were encamped; or from the ranks of the Philistines; he came out of one of the battalions that were set in array:

spake according to the same words - which he had spoken time after time forty days successively, namely, what is expressed 1Sa_17:8,

1Sa 17:24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.

And all the men of Israel - Even as it should seem before they heard him; knowing who he was, and what he was about to say, having seen and heard him forty days running fled from him:

were sore afraid - it is pretty much a whole army should be afraid of one man, and flee from him; they must be greatly forsaken of God, and given up by him. One Philistine could never have thus put ten thousand Israelites to flight, unless their rock, being forsaken by them, had justly sold them and shut them up. Deut 32: 30 How shall one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them and the LORD had shut them up?

1Sa 17:25 And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.

make his father's house free in Israel - from all tributes, taxes, levies, impositions, king's service, and duty; or, as the Targum,"make his father's house freemen, nobles;''raise it to the rank of nobility.

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.

Free in Israel - In all the other passages (fifteen) where this word occurs, it means free, as opposed to being a slave (Deu_15:12-13, Deu_15:18, etc.) Here it may imply a freedom from all such services and burdens as are spoken of in 1Sa_8:11-17

11 And he said, This will be the privilege of the king who shall reign over you. He shall take your sons and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and his horsemen. And they shall run before his chariots.

12 And he will appoint commanders over thousands, and commanders over fifties, and some to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and make his weapons of war and weapons for his chariots.

13 And he will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers.

14 And he will take your fields and your vineyards and your olive-yards, the best, and give them to his servants.

15 And he will take the tenth of your seed and of your vineyards, and give it to his eunuchs and to his servants.

16 And he will take your male slaves and your slave girls, and your finest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.

17 He will take the tenth of your sheep, and you shall be his servants.

and will give him his daughter to be his wife - in like manner as Caleb promised to give his daughter in marriage to the person that should take Kirjathsepher, Jdg_1:12,

1Sa 17:26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

The living God - This fine expression occurs first in Deuteronomy, and next in Jos_3:10, and 2Ki_19:4. We find it twice in the Psalms of David Psa_42:2; Psa_84:2, four times in the prophets, and frequently in the New Testament. It is generally in contrast to false gods (1Th_1:9, etc.).

taketh away the reproach from Israel - which he asked not for the sake of the reward, but to observe the necessity there was of some man's engaging with him, and killing him, or otherwise it would be a reproach to Israel, and to signify that he had an inclination to attempt it:

for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God - there were two things which provoked David, and raised indignation in him against this man; the one was, the character of the person that reproached, a Philistine, an uncircumcised person, a profane man, that had no true religion in him, an alien from the commonwealth of Israel, and a stranger to the covenants of promise; and the other was the persons whom he reproached, the armies of the living God, of the King of kings, and Lord of lords; and which in effect was reproaching the Lord himself, and which David, filled with zeal for God, and for his people, could not bear; and the consideration of these things animated him to engage with him, not doubting of success.

1Sa 17:27 And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.

so shall it be done to the man that killeth him - as before related, that he should be enriched, marry the king's daughter, and his family be ennobled, 1Sa_17:25.

1Sa 17:28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.

Why camest thou down - From the heights of Bethlehem to the valley of Elah . David had talked with his brethren, or had begun to talk with them, yet he had not sufficiently explained the reasons of his coming:

Eliab's anger was kindled against David - because what he had said carried in it a tacit reproach of him, and others, that they had not the courage, and did not attempt to encounter with the Philistine; or rather out of envy to him, lest succeeding in so bold an action, he should gain superior glory to him, and the rest of his brethren, who yet was the youngest of them:

with whom hast thou left those few sheep - the wilderness of Judea, or some wilderness near Bethlehem; by this he would not only insinuate a charge of unfaithfulness, in not taking care of his father's flock committed to him; but his view was to make him look little and mean in the eyes of the people, that in the family he belonged to he was thought to be fit for nothing but to keep sheep, and in doing this was negligent and careless:

I know thy pride - that he was too proud to keep sheep, and wanted to advance himself in the army, and make a figure there, and thereby gratify his vanity and ambition, which was the reverse of David's character; for, such was his humility, that, though he was anointed king, and had been preferred in Saul's court, yet condescended with all readiness to keep his father's sheep; and what he now proposed was not from any bad principle in his heart, but purely for the glory of God, and the honor of the people of Israel, who were both reproached:

thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle - out of curiosity, and to take every advantage and opportunity of signalizing and making himself famous.

1Sa 17:29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

what have I now done - In times of general formality and lukewarmness, every degree of zeal which implies readiness to go further, or to venture more in the cause of God than others, will be blamed as pride and ambition, and by none more than by near relations, like Eliab, or negligent superiors. It was a trial of David's meekness, patience, and constancy. He had right and reason on his side, and did not render railing for railing; with a soft answer he turned away his brother's wrath. This conquest of his own passion was more honorable than that of Goliath. Those who undertake great and public services, must not think it strange if they are spoken ill of, and opposed by those from whom they expect support and assistance. They must humbly go on with their work, in the face not only of enemies' threats, but of friends' slights and suspicions.

what have I now done - That is criminal and blameworthy; as if he should say, I have only expressed an indignation against this uncircumcised Philistine, and a concern for the glory of God, and the honor of the people of Israel :

Is there not a cause - is not Saul’s promise, and the insolence of Goliath, a sufficent cause for what I am about to do?

Is there not a cause - I have spoken but a word. And should a man be made an offender for a word?

Is there not a cause - either for his coming to the camp, being sent by his father; or of his expressing himself with indignation at the Philistine's defiance of the armies of Israel . Some take the sense to be, that he had done nothing, he had not committed any fact; it was mere words what he had said, he had attempted nothing, and therefore there was no reason to bear so hard upon him;

1Sa 17:30 And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.

he turned from him towards another - From his brother Eliab, to another person right against him, and directed his discourse to him:

spake after the same manner - as in 1Sa_17:26; inquiring what encouragement would he given to a man that should attempt to kill the Philistine, and expressing his concern to hear the armies of the living God defied by such a wretch:

the people answered him again - telling him what gratuities and honors would be conferred on such a person, as in 1Sa_17:25; Perhaps the design of his talking to one, and to another, was, that what he had said might spread and reach to the ears of Saul, to whom in modesty he did not choose to apply himself.

1Sa 17:31 And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him.

they rehearsed them before Saul - coming to the ears of some of his courtiers and counsellors, or officers about him, they told him what such an one had said:

1Sa 17:32 And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.

1Sa 17:33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.

Thou art but a youth - Supposed to be about twenty to twenty-three years of age and a novice, a raw and unexperienced soldier.

thou art not able to go against this Philistine - Had neither strength of body, nor skill in military affairs, to encounter with a man of his stature, and warlike genius and practice:

he a man of war from his youth - a gigantic man, trained up in, and expert in the affairs of war; so that David could not, on any account, be a competitor with him, and a match for him.

1Sa 17:34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:

There came a bear and a lion - 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.

a lion, and a bear--There were two different events, 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.

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: He found it necessary to give Saul the reasons why he undertook this combat; and why he expected to be victorious.

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:

1Sa 17:35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.

I caught him by his beard – Put here for his throat, or under jaw; neither lion nor bear has a beard properly speaking.

I caught him by his beard – a mane such as lions have;

and smote him - with his fist, or rather with his shepherd's staff:

delivered it out of his mouth - snatched it out from thence, or obliged him to drop it, by beating him:

1Sa 17:36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear - At different times, perhaps several of them at one time or another; whenever any of them came into the flock. The Jews suppose this phrase denotes many of them.

this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them - as he was like them in nature, savage, cruel and unclean, so he would be in his end, killed as they; of this David was fully persuaded and assured in mind having an impulse from the Spirit of God.

he hath defied the armies of the living God - so that as he justly deserved to die. David's courage rested, therefore, upon his confident belief that the living God would not let His people be defied by the heathen with impunity.

1Sa 17:37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

Go, and the Lord be with thee - Saul saw that these were reasonable grounds of confidence, and therefore wished him success.

And David said moreover - For the further confirmation of it, and as more strongly expressing his faith of it; not as owing to any natural strength or skill of his, but to the power of God, of whose assistance he made no question:

the Lord that delivered me - for to him he ascribes his deliverance from those savage creatures, and his victory over them, and on him he relied for help and salvation in the present case:

he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine - David did not go forth in his own name and strength, but in the name and strength of the Lord of hosts:

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.

1Sa 17:38 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.

Saul armed David - He knew that although the battle was the Lord’s, yet prudent means should be used to secure success. It was not likely that it was the armor he wore himself; for it cannot be thought he would strip himself of his armor in the field of battle, and when just going to it; and besides what suited the one would not be fit for the other, their bulk and stature being different i but this was some armor Saul had brought with him, besides what he himself wore, to furnish any with that might want it:

he put an helmet of brass upon his head - such an one, though not so large as Goliath had, these being usually made of brass;

1Sa 17:39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.

I cannot go with these - In ancient times it required considerable exercise and training to make a man expert in the use of such heavy armor; armor which in the present day scarcely a man is to be found who is able to carry; and so it must have been then, until that practice which arises from frequent use had made the proprietor perfect. I have not proved them says David: I am wholly unaccustomed to such armor and it would be an encumbrance to me. He thought fit to acquaint Saul with it, lest he should be offended with him:

he assayed to go - made an attempt, and had a mind to go thus armed; he at first showed an inclination to go in such an habit, but afterwards would not:

1Sa 17:40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.

A shepherd’s bag - That in which he generally carried his provisions while keeping the sheep in the open country.

And his sling - It is composed of two strings and a leathern strap; the strap is in the middle, and is the place where the stone lies. The string on the right end of the strap is firmly fastened to the hand; that on the left is held between the thumb and middle joint of the fore finger. It is then whirled two or three times round the head; and when discharged, the finger and thumb let go their hold of the left end string. The velocity and force of the sling are in proportion to the distance of the strap, where the stone lies, from the shoulder joint. In the use of the sling it requires much practice to hit the mark; but when once this dexterity is acquired, the sling is quite fatal. David was evidently an expert marksman; and his sling gave him greatly the advantage over Goliath; an advantage of which the giant does not seem to have been aware. He could hit him within any speaking distance, if he missed once, he had as many chances as he had stones.

his sling was in his hand - In the exercise of his shepherd's calling he may have become so skilled in the use of the sling, that, like the Benjaminites, his neighbors, mentioned in Jdg_20:16, he could sling at a hair's-breadth, and not miss.

And he took his staff in his hand - His shepherd's staff, which he used in keeping his father's sheep, and chose rather to appear in the habit of a shepherd than of a soldier:

he drew near to the Philistine - marched towards him, thereby signifying that he accepted his challenge, and would enter the list with him.

1Sa 17:41 And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.

And the Philistine came on – Possibly by slow paces, because of the weight of his armor, and bulk of his body, yet with a haughty air, and a proud gait:

1Sa 17:42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.

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

and ruddy, and of a fair countenance - looked effeminate, had not the appearance of a soldier, of a weather beaten veteran, exposed to heat and cold, and inured to hardships.

1Sa 17:43 And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

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. 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. 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.

1Sa 17:44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.

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;

1Sa 17:45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

Then said David to the Philistine - In answer to the contempt he held him in, and to the threatening words he gave him: What Goliath expected from his arms, David expected from the ineffable name.

I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, whom thou hast defied - David was come, by a commission from this great Jehovah, to vindicate his honor, and to avenge his people on him: Goliath had asked for a man, and now the Lord of hosts comes forth as a man of war, for the battle was his, as in 1Sa_17:47; and David was his messenger, and came in his name, and was the man into whose hands he should be given.

1Sa 17:46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand - This was a direct and circumstantial prophecy of what did take place. Of which he was assured by divine inspiration, by the impulse of the Spirit of God upon him; or otherwise he could not have expressed himself with such certainty, and have given the particulars of what he should do.

take thine head from thee - as yet he had no weapon in his hand to do it with, 1Sa_17:50, but it was revealed to him that he should do it, and he believed it.

that all the earth may know there is a God in Israel - not only the land of Canaan or Palestine, but the whole earth, and all the inhabitants of it; the report of which no doubt was spread far, and near. Israel hath a God, a God indeed, one who is able to help them; and not such an impotent idol as the Philistines served.

1Sa 17:47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.

The Lord saveth not with sword - Observe the consistent teaching of such passages as 1Sa_14:6 And Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, Come, and let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised ones. It may be that the LORD will work for us. For there is no restraint to the LORD, to save by many or by few. Exo_14:13 And Moses said to the people, Do not fear. Stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will prepare for you this day. For the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you shall never see them anymore. Jdg_7:2 And the LORD said to Gideon, The people with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel boast themselves against Me, saying, My own hand has saved me. Jdg_7:7 And the LORD said to Gideon, I will save you by the three hundred men who lapped, and will deliver the Midianites into your hand. And let all the other people go, each man to his place. Psa_44:5-7 Through You we will push our enemies; through Your name we will trample those who rise up against us. For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. But You have saved us from our enemies, and have put them to shame, those who hated us.

For the battle is the Lord’s - It is the Lord’s war: you are fighting against him and his religion, as the champion of your party; I am fighting for God, as the champion of his cause.

1Sa 17:48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.

The Philistine arose - This was an end of the parley; the Philistine came forward to meet David, and David on his part ran forward to meet the Philistine. Goliath was in all probability in great wrath and fury at hearing what David said, and which hastened him to it:

1Sa 17:49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.

Smote the Philistine in his forehead - Except his face, Goliath was covered over with strong armor. Perhaps he had no forehead covering to his helmet, or it was lifted up so as to expose his forehead. The Septuagint however supposes that the stone passed through the helmet, and sank into his forehead: 1 Samuel 17:49 And David stretched out his hand to his scrip, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine on his forehead, and the stone penetrated through the helmet into his forehead, and he fell upon his face to the ground. (Septuagint) The stone slung by David was under a divine direction, so as to hit a person in motion, it came with a divine power, which nothing could resist; and supposing this, of which there need no doubt, it could as easily pass through the helmet of brass, as pierce into his forehead and sink there;

1Sa 17:50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.

So David prevailed over the Philistine - with a sling and a stone only, without any other warlike weapon:

1Sa 17:51 Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.

When the Philistines saw their champion - Quite a different word from that so rendered in 1Sa_17:4, 1Sa_17:23; better “warrior.”

they fled - They were panic-struck; and not being willing to fulfill the condition which was stipulated by Goliath, they precipitately left the field. The Israelites took a proper advantage of these circumstances, and totally routed their enemies.

David ran and stood upon the Philistine - Upon his carcass, as it lay prostrate on the ground, in just contempt of him who had defied, reproached, and despised the armies of Israel :

and slew him - for it seems that by the blow of the stone he was only stunned, and fell to the ground, but still had life in him, which David soon put an end to by his own sword:

David took out his sword - Hence it appears, that David was not a little man; but a man of considerable bulk and strength, because he was able to manage a giant's sword. The stone threw him down to the earth, and bereaved him of sense and motion; but there remained some life in him, which the sword took away, and so completed the work. God is greatly glorified, when his proud enemies are cut off with their own sword.

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 often regarded as the most welcome tokens of victory.

1Sa 17:52 And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.

Shaaraim - A town of Judah in the Shephelah, at this time probably in the possession of the Philistines. It seems to be the same with Sharaim

the men of Israel and of Judah arose - From their encampment and entrenchment, or they prepared for a pursuit:

to the gates of Ekron - which was one of the five principalities of the Philistines; so that they pursued them to their own cities, and to the very gates of them:

even unto Gath, and unto Ekron - two other principalities of the Philistines.

1Sa 17:53 And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents.

they spoiled their tents - which they left in their camp, all their armor, goods, money, and provisions, they found there, they seized upon as their prey and booty; these they did not stay to meddle with as soon as the Philistines fled, but first pursued them, and slew as many of them as they could, and then returned to the spoil; which was wisely done.

1Sa 17:54 And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent.

David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem - After he had been introduced with it to Saul, and when he had passed through various cities in Israel, carrying the head in triumph; where he was congratulated by the women, who came out singing and dancing, and speaking highly in his commendation and praise: why he carried it to Jerusalem is not easy to say, this not being a royal city, nor was it wholly in the hands of the Israelites; part of it indeed was in the possession of Judah and Benjamin, but the stronghold of Zion was possessed by the Jebusites; and it is generally thought that it was to the terror of them that the head of Goliath was carried there.

he put his armor in his tent - not where the army was encamped before the engagement; for David had not his tent there, and beside the camp broke up upon this victory obtained; but rather in his tent at Bethlehem, when he returned thither, and where he laid up the armor he took from Goliath; though some scholars think that by his tent is meant the tabernacle of the Lord, called David's, because of his attachment to it; and certain it is that the sword of Goliath was either now, or at least hereafter, laid up there, 1Sa_21:9 And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the valley of Elah, behold, it is wrapped in a cloth under the ephod, if you will take, take it for yourself, for there is no other here except that one. And David said, There is none like that. Give it to me; where all that went to sacrifice might see it, and call to mind this wonderful instance of the power and goodness of God, and praise him for it.

he put his armor in his tent --the sacred tabernacle. David dedicated the sword of Goliath as a votive offering to the Lord. It would be quite in accordance with David’s piety that he should immediately dedicate to God the arms taken from the Philistine, in acknowledgment that the victory was not his own but the Lord’s.

he put his armor in his tent - But David took the head of Goliath and brought it to Jerusalem , and put his armor in his tent. It is an antiquated term for a dwelling-place, as in 1Sa_4:10; 1Sa_13:2, etc. The reference is to David's house at Bethlehem , to which he returned with the booty after the defeat of Goliath, and that by the road which ran past Jerusalem , where he left the head of Goliath. There is no anachronism in these statements; for the assertion made by some, that Jerusalem was not yet in the possession of the Israelites, rests upon a confusion between the citadel of Jebus upon Zion , which was still in the hands of the Jebusites, and the city of Jerusalem , in which Israelites had dwelt for a long time. Nor is there any contradiction between this statement and 1Sa_21:9, where Goliath's sword is said to have been preserved in the tabernacle at Nob: for it is not affirmed that David kept Goliath's armour in his own home, but only that he took it thither; and the supposition that Goliath's sword was afterwards deposited by him in the sanctuary in honour of the Lord, is easily reconcilable with this. Again, the statement in 1Sa_18:2, to the effect that, after David's victory over Goliath, Saul did not allow him to return to his father's house any more, is by no means at variance with this explanation of the verse before us. For the statement in question must be understood in accordance with 1Sa_17:15, viz., as signifying that from that time forward Saul did not allow David to return to his father's house to keep the sheep as he had done before, and by no means precludes his paying brief visits to Bethlehem .

1Sa 17:55 And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.

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 useful to him, and he loved him, and made him his armourbearer, and even had just now conversed with him about encountering with the Philistine, and had clothed him with his own armor: to get rid of the former part of the objection, David is said to return home from Saul, 1Sa_17:15; so that it is certain he had been at Saul's court, and in his presence before: but to remove this seeming difficulty it may be observed, that Saul, having labored under a disorder of body and mind, might easily forget David, and his serving him in the above capacity; and to which the multiplicity of business, and of persons in a court, might greatly contribute; and what with the distance of time, and the different habits in which David appeared, sometimes as a musician, and sometimes as a shepherd, and at other times as a soldier, and always as a servant, it is no wonder the king should not know him again; though after all it is not about his person that he inquires, but whose son he was, what was his father's name, and from what family he sprung; for though Saul was made acquainted with this in the time of his disorder, and therefore sent to his father Jesse for him, and afterwards desired leave for his continuance; yet this might slip out of his memory in a course of time, he having had no personal knowledge of Jesse, nor any correspondence with him, but just at that time; and it behoved him to know the pedigree of David, since, if he was victorious, he was not only to be enriched by him, but to have his daughter for wife, and his family ennobled:

whose son is this youth - David had been some considerable time dismissed from Saul's court, and was returned home. And therefore it is not strange, if Saul for the present had forgot David. Besides the distemper of Saul's mind might make him forgetful; and that David might be now much changed, both in his countenance and in his habit.

1Sa 17:56 And the king said, Enquire thou whose son the stripling is.

1Sa 17:57 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.

Abner took him and brought him before Saul - to give an answer to the king's question concerning him, who could best do it himself; and that Saul might have the opportunity of rewarding him, according to his merit, for so great a piece of service he had done for Israel, of which the head in his hand was a sufficient proof.

1Sa 17:58 And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.

whose son art thou - Still the question was such as did not necessarily imply ignorance of his person, but of his family:

and David answered - which doubtless refreshed the memory of Saul, and he quickly called to mind who he was. This interview was very probably at Gibeah of Saul, which was the place of his birth and residence, 1Sa_10:26, and where he kept his court, and to which he returned after the above victory was obtained.