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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>F I R S T S A M U E L</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XVII.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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David is the man whom God now delights to honour, for he is a man after
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his own heart. We read in the foregoing chapter how, after he was
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anointed, Providence made him famous in the court; we read in this
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chapter how Providence made him much more famous in the camp, and, by
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both, not only marked him for a great man, but fitted him for the
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throne for which he was designed. In the court he was only Saul's
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physician; but in the camp Israel's champion; there he fairly fought,
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and beat Goliath of Gath. In the story observe,
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I. What a noble figure Goliath made, and how daringly he challenged the
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armies of Israel,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:1-11">ver. 1-11</A>.
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II. What a mean figure David made, when Providence brought him to the
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army,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:12-30">ver. 12-30</A>.
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III. The unparalleled bravery wherewith David undertook to encounter
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this Philistine,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:31-39">ver. 31-39</A>.
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IV. The pious resolution with which he attacked him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:40-47">ver. 40-47</A>.
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V. The glorious victory he obtained over him with a sling and a stone,
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and the advantage which the Israelites thereby gained against the
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Philistines,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:48-54">ver. 48-54</A>.
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VI. The great notice which was hereupon taken of David at court,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:55-58">ver. 55-58</A>.</P>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Goliath's Challenge to Israel.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1060.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle,
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and were gathered together at Shochoh, which <I>belongeth</I> to
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Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.
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2 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and
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pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array
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against the Philistines.
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3 And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and
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Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and <I>there was</I> a
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valley between them.
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4 And there went out a champion out of the camp of the
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Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height <I>was</I> six
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cubits and a span.
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5 And <I>he had</I> a helmet of brass upon his head, and he <I>was</I>
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armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat <I>was</I> five
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thousand shekels of brass.
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6 And <I>he had</I> greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of
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brass between his shoulders.
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7 And the staff of his spear <I>was</I> like a weaver's beam; and
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his spear's head <I>weighed</I> six hundred shekels of iron: and one
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bearing a shield went before him.
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8 And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said
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unto them, Why are ye come out to set <I>your</I> battle in array?
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<I>am</I> not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a
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man for you, and let him come down to me.
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9 If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we
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be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him,
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then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.
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10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this
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day; give me a man, that we may fight together.
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11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the
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Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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It was not long ago that the Philistines were soundly beaten, and put
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to the worse, before Israel, and they would have been totally routed if
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Saul's rashness had not prevented; but here we have them making head
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again. Observe,</P>
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<P>
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I. How they <I>defied Israel with their armies,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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They made a descent upon the Israelites' country, and possessed
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themselves, as it should seem, of some part of it, for they encamped in
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a place <I>which belonged to Judah.</I> Israel's ground would never
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have been footing for Philistine-armies if Israel had been faithful to
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their God. The Philistines (it is probable) had heard that Samuel had
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fallen out with Saul and forsaken him, and no longer assisted and
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advised him, and that Saul had grown melancholy and unfit for business,
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and this news encouraged them to make this attempt for the retrieving
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of the credit they had lately lost. The enemies of the church are
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watchful to take all advantages, and they never have greater advantages
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than when her protectors have provoked God's Spirit and prophets to
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leave them. Saul mustered his forces, and faced them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:2,3"><I>v.</I> 2, 3</A>.
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And here we must take notice,
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1. That the evil spirit, for the present, had left Saul,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+16:23"><I>ch.</I> xvi. 23</A>.
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David's harp having given him some relief, perhaps the alarms and
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affairs of the war prevented the return of the distemper. Business is a
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good antidote against melancholy. Let the mind have something without
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to fasten on and employ itself about, and it will be the less in danger
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of preying upon itself. God, in mercy to Israel, suspended the judgment
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for a while; for how distracted must the affairs of the public have
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been if at this juncture the prince had been distracted!
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2. That David for the present had returned to Bethlehem, and had left
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the court,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
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When Saul had no further occasion to use him for the relief of his
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distemper, though, being anointed, he had a very good private reason,
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and, having a grant of the place of Saul's armour-bearer, he had a very
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plausible pretence to have continued his attendance, as a retainer to
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the court, yet he went home to Bethlehem, and returned to keep his
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father's sheep; this was a rare instance, in a young man that stood so
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fair for preferment, of humility and affection to his parents. He knew
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better than most do how to come down again after he had begun to rise,
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and strangely preferred the retirements of the pastoral life before all
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the pleasures and gaieties of the court. None more fit for honour than
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he, nor that deserved it better, and yet none more dead to it.</P>
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<P>
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II. How they defied Israel with their champion Goliath, whom they were
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almost as proud of as he was of himself, hoping by him to recover their
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reputation and dominion. Perhaps the army of the Israelites was
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superior in number and strength to that of the Philistines, which made
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the Philistines decline a battle, and stand at bay with them, desiring
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rather to put the issue upon a single combat, in which, having such a
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champion, they hoped to gain the victory. Now concerning this champion
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observe,</P>
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<P>
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1. His prodigious size. He was of the sons of Anak, who at Gath kept
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their ground in Joshua's time
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+11:22">Josh. xi. 22</A>),
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and kept up a race of giants there, of which Goliath was one, and, it
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is probable, one of the largest. He was in height <I>six cubits and a
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span,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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They learned bishop Cumberland has made it out that the scripture-cubit
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was above twenty-one inches (above three inches more than our
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half-yard) and a span was half a cubit, by which computation Goliath
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wanted but eight inches of four yard in height, eleven feet and four
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inches, a monstrous stature, and which made him very formidable,
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especially if he had strength and spirit proportionable.</P>
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<P>
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2. His armour. Art, as well as nature, made him terrible. He was well
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furnished with defensive armour
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:5,6"><I>v.</I> 5, 6</A>):
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<I>A helmet of brass on his head, a coat of mail,</I> made of brass
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plates laid over one another, like the scales of a fish; and, because
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his legs would lie most within the reach of an ordinary man, he wore
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brass boots, and had a large corselet of brass about his neck. The coat
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is said to weigh 5000 shekels, and a shekel was half an ounce
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avoirdupois, a vast weight for a man to carry, all the other parts of
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his armour being proportionable. But some think it should be
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translated, not the <I>weight</I> of the coat, but the <I>value</I> of
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it, was 5000 shekels; so much it cost. His offensive weapons were
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extraordinary, of which his spear only is here described,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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It was like a weaver's beam. His arm could manage that which an
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ordinary man could scarcely heave. His shield only, which was the
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lightest of all his accoutrements, was carried before him by his
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esquire, probably for state; for he that was clad in brass little
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needed a shield.</P>
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<P>
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3. His challenge. The Philistines having chosen him for their champion,
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to save themselves from the hazard of battle, he here throws down the
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gauntlet, and bids defiance to the armies of Israel,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:8-10"><I>v.</I> 8-10</A>.
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He came into the valley that lay between the camps, and, his voice
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probably being as much stronger than other people's as his arm was, he
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cried so as to make them all hear him, <I>Give me a man, that we may
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fight together.</I> He looked upon himself with admiration, because he
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was so much taller and stronger than all about him; his heart (says
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bishop Hall) nothing but a lump of proud flesh. He looked upon Israel
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with disdain, because they had none among them of such a monstrous
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bulk, and defies them to find a man among them bold enough to enter the
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list with him.
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(1.) He upbraids them with their folly in drawing an army together:
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"<I>Why have you come to set the battle in array?</I> How dare you
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oppose the mighty Philistines?" Or, "Why should the two armies engage,
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when the controversy may be sooner decided, with only the expense of
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one life and the hazard of another?"
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(2.) He offers to put the war entirely upon the issue of the duel he
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proposes: "If your champion kill me, we will be your servants; if I
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kill him, you shall be ours." This, says bishop Patrick, was only a
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bravado, for no nation would be willing thus to venture its all upon
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the success of one man, nor is it justifiable; notwithstanding
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Goliath's stipulation here, when he was killed the Philistines did not
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stand to his word, nor submit themselves as servants to Israel. When he
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boasts, <I>I am a Philistine, and you are servants to Saul,</I> he
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would have it thought a great piece of condescension in him, who was a
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chief ruler, to enter the lists with an Israelite; for he looked on
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them as no better than slaves. The Chaldee paraphrase brings him in
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boasting that he was the man that had killed Hophni and Phinehas and
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taken the ark prisoner, but that the Philistines had never given him so
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much as the command of a regiment in recompence of his services,
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whereas Saul had been made king for his services: "Let him therefore
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take up the challenge."</P>
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<P>
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4. The terror this struck upon Israel: <I>Saul and his army were
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greatly afraid,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
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The people would not have been dismayed but that they observed Saul's
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courage failed him; and it is not to be expected that, if the leader be
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a coward, the followers should be bold. We found before, when the
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Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+11:6"><I>ch.</I> xi. 6</A>),
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none could be more daring nor forward to answer the challenge of Nahash
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the Ammonite, but now that the <I>Spirit of the Lord had departed from
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him</I> even the big looks and big words of a single Philistine make
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him change colour. But where was Jonathan all this while? Why did not
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he accept the challenge, who, in the last war, had so bravely engaged a
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whole army of Philistines? Doubtless he did not feel himself stirred up
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of God to it, as he did in the former case. As the best, so the bravest
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men, are no more than what God makes them. Jonathan must now sit still,
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because the honour of engaging Goliath is reserved for David. In great
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and good actions, the wind of the Spirit blows when and where he
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listeth. Now the pious Israelites lament their king's breach with
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Samuel.</P>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>David Comes to the Camp of Israel.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1060.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>12 Now David <I>was</I> the son of that Ephrathite of
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Bethlehem-judah, whose name <I>was</I> Jesse; and he had eight sons:
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and the man went among men <I>for</I> an old man in the days of Saul.
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13 And the three eldest sons of Jesse went <I>and</I> followed Saul
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to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the
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battle <I>were</I> Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab,
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and the third Shammah.
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14 And David <I>was</I> the youngest: and the three eldest followed
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Saul.
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15 But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's
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sheep at Bethlehem.
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16 And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and
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presented himself forty days.
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17 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren
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an ephah of this parched <I>corn,</I> and these ten loaves, and run to
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the camp to thy brethren;
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18 And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of <I>their</I>
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thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.
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19 Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, <I>were</I> in the
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valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.
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20 And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep
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with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him;
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and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the
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fight, and shouted for the battle.
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21 For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array,
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army against army.
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22 And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the
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carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his
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brethren.
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23 And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the
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champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the
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armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words:
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and David heard <I>them.</I>
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24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from
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him, and were sore afraid.
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25 And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is
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come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be,
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<I>that</I> the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with
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great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his
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father's house free in Israel.
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26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What
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shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh
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away the reproach from Israel? for who <I>is</I> this uncircumcised
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Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
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27 And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So
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shall it be done to the man that killeth him.
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28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the
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men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said,
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|
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.
|
|
29 And David said, What have I now done? <I>Is there</I> not a
|
|
cause?
|
|
30 And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the
|
|
same manner: and the people answered him again after the former
|
|
manner.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Forty days the two armies lay encamped facing one another, each
|
|
advantageously posted, but neither forward to engage. Either they were
|
|
parleying and treating of an accommodation or they were waiting for
|
|
recruits; and perhaps there were frequent skirmishes between small
|
|
detached parties. All this while, twice a day, morning and evening, did
|
|
the insulting champion appear in the field and repeat his challenge,
|
|
his own heart growing more and more proud for his not being answered
|
|
and the people of Israel more and more timorous, while God designed
|
|
hereby to ripen him for destruction and to make Israel's deliverance
|
|
the more illustrious. All this while David is keeping his father's
|
|
sheep, but at the end of forty days Providence brings him to the field
|
|
to win and wear the laurel which no other Israelite dares venture for.
|
|
We have in these verses,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The present state of his family. His father was old
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>He went among men for an old man,</I> was taken notice of for his
|
|
great age, above what was usual at that time, and therefore was excused
|
|
from pubic services, and went not in person to the wars, but sent his
|
|
sons; he had the honours paid him that were due his age, his hoary head
|
|
was a crown of glory to him. David's three elder brethren, who perhaps
|
|
envied his place at the court, got their father to send for him home,
|
|
and let them go to the camp, where they hoped to signalize themselves
|
|
and eclipse him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:13,14"><I>v.</I> 13, 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
while David himself was so far from being proud of the services he had
|
|
done his prince, or ambitious of further preferment, that he not only
|
|
returned from court to the obscurity of his father's house, but to
|
|
care, and toil, and (as it proved,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>)
|
|
|
|
the peril, of <I>keeping his father's sheep.</I> It was the praise of
|
|
this humility that it came after he had the honour of a courtier, and
|
|
the reward of it that it came before the honour of a conqueror.
|
|
<I>Before honour is humility.</I> Now he had that opportunity of
|
|
mediation and prayer, and other acts of devotion, which fitted him for
|
|
what he was destined to more than all the military exercises of that
|
|
inglorious camp could do.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The orders his father gave him to go and visit his brethren in the
|
|
camp. He did not himself ask leave to go, to satisfy his curiosity, or
|
|
to gain experience and make observations; but his father sent him on a
|
|
mean and homely errand, on which any of his servants might have gone.
|
|
He must carry some bread and cheese to his brethren, ten loaves with
|
|
some parched corn for themselves
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>)
|
|
|
|
and ten cheeses (which, it seems, he thought too good for them) for a
|
|
present to their colonel,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
David must still be the drudge of the family, though he was to be the
|
|
greatest ornament of it. He had not so much as an ass at command to
|
|
carry his load, but must take it on his back, and yet run to the camp.
|
|
Jesse, we thought, was privy to his being anointed, and yet
|
|
industriously kept him thus mean and obscure, probably to hide him from
|
|
the eye of suspicion and envy, knowing that he was anointed to a crown
|
|
in reversion. He must observe how his brethren fared, whether they were
|
|
not reduced to short allowance, now that the encampment continued so
|
|
long, that, if need were, he might send them more provisions. And he
|
|
must take their pledge, that is, if they had pawned any thing, he must
|
|
redeem it; <I>take notice of their company,</I> so some observe, whom
|
|
they associate with, and what sort of life they lead. Perhaps David,
|
|
like Joseph, had formerly brought to his father their evil report, and
|
|
now he sends him to enquire concerning their manners. See the care the
|
|
pious parents about their children when they are abroad from them,
|
|
especially in places of temptation; they are solicitous how they
|
|
conduct themselves, and particularly what company they keep. Let
|
|
children think of this, and conduct themselves accordingly, remembering
|
|
that, when they are from under their parents' eye, they are still under
|
|
God's eye.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. David's dutiful obedience to his father's command. His prudence and care made him be up early
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>),
|
|
|
|
and yet not to leave his sheep without a keeper, so faithful was he in
|
|
a few things and therefore the fitter to be made ruler over many
|
|
things, and so well had he learnt to obey before he pretended to
|
|
command. God's providence brought him to the camp very seasonably, when
|
|
both sides had set the battle in array, and, as it should seem, were
|
|
more likely to come to an engagement than they had yet been during all
|
|
the forty days,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
Both sides were now preparing to fight. Jesse little thought of sending
|
|
his son to the army just at that critical juncture, but the wise God
|
|
orders the time and all the circumstances of actions and affairs so as
|
|
to serve his designs of securing the interests of Israel and advancing
|
|
the men after his own heart. Now observe here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. How brisk and lively David was,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
What articles he brought he honestly took care of, and left them with
|
|
those that had the charge of the bag and baggage; but, though he had
|
|
come a long journey with a great load, he <I>ran into the army,</I> to
|
|
see what was doing there, and to pay his respects to his brethren.
|
|
<I>Seest thou a man</I> thus <I>diligent in his business,</I> he is in
|
|
the way of preferment, <I>he shall stand before kings.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. How bold and daring the Philistine was,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
Now that the armies were drawn out into a line of battle he appeared
|
|
first to renew his challenge, vainly imagining that he was in the eager
|
|
chase of his own glory and triumph, whereas really he was but courting
|
|
his own destruction.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. How timorous and faint-hearted the men of Israel were. Though they
|
|
had, for forty days together, been used to his haughty looks and
|
|
threatening language, and, having seen no execution done by either,
|
|
might have learned to despise both, yet, upon his approach, they
|
|
<I>fled from him and were greatly afraid,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
One Philistine could never thus have chased 1000 Israelites, and put
|
|
10,000 to flight, unless their Rock, being treacherously forsaken by
|
|
them, had justly <I>sold them, and shut them up,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+32:30">Deut. xxxii. 30</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. How high Saul bid for a champion. Though he was the tallest of all
|
|
the men of Israel, and, if he had not been so, while he kept close to
|
|
God might himself have safely taken up the gauntlet which this insolent
|
|
Philistine threw down, yet, the Spirit of the Lord having departed from
|
|
him, he durst not do it, nor press Jonathan to do it; but whoever will
|
|
do it shall have as good preferment as he can give him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
If the hope of wealth and honour will prevail with any man to expose
|
|
himself so far, it is proclaimed that the bold adventurer, if he come
|
|
off, shall marry the king's daughter and have a good portion with her;
|
|
but, as it should seem, whether he come off or no, his <I>father's
|
|
house shall be free in Israel,</I> from all toll, tribute, custom, and
|
|
services to the crown, or shall be ennobled and advanced to the
|
|
peerage.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
5. How much concerned David was to assert the honour of God and Israel
|
|
against the impudent challenges of this champion. He asked what reward
|
|
was promised to him that should slay this Philistine
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>),
|
|
|
|
though he knew already, not because he was ambitious of the honour, but
|
|
because he would have it taken notice of, and reported to Saul, how
|
|
much he resented the indignity hereby done to Israel and Israel's God.
|
|
He might have presumed so far upon his acquaintance and interest at
|
|
court as to go himself to Saul to offer his service; but his modesty
|
|
would not let him do this. It was one of his own rules, before it was
|
|
one of his son's proverbs, <I>Put not forth thyself in the presence of
|
|
the king, and stand not in the place of great men</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+25:6">Prov. xxv. 6</A>);
|
|
|
|
yet his zeal put him upon that method which he hoped would bring him
|
|
into this great engagement. Two considerations, it seems, fired David
|
|
with a holy indignation:--
|
|
|
|
(1.) That the challenger was one that was uncircumcised, a stranger to
|
|
God and out of covenant with him.
|
|
|
|
(2.) That the challenged were the armies of the living God, devoted to
|
|
him, employed by him and for him, so that the affronts offered to them
|
|
reflected upon the living God himself, and <I>that</I> he could not
|
|
bear. When therefore some had told him what was the reward proposed for
|
|
killing the Philistine
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>)
|
|
|
|
he asked others
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>),
|
|
|
|
with the same resentment, which he expected would at length come to
|
|
Saul's ear.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
6. How he was brow-beaten and discouraged by his eldest brother Eliab,
|
|
who, taking notice of his forwardness, fell into a passion upon it, and
|
|
gave David very abusive language,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
Consider this,
|
|
|
|
(1.) As the fruit of Eliab's jealousy. He was the eldest brother, and
|
|
David the youngest, and perhaps it had been customary with him (as it
|
|
is with too many elder brothers) to trample upon him and take every
|
|
occasion to chide him. But those who thus exalt themselves over their
|
|
juniors may perhaps live to see themselves, by a righteous providence,
|
|
abased, and those to whom they are abusive exalted. Time may come when
|
|
the elder may serve the younger. But Eliab was now vexed that his
|
|
younger brother should speak those bold words against the Philistine
|
|
which he himself durst not say. He knew what honour David had already
|
|
had in the court, and, if he should now get honour in the camp (from
|
|
which he thought he had found means effectually to seclude him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>),
|
|
|
|
the glory of his elder brethren would be eclipsed and stained; and
|
|
therefore (such is the nature of jealousy) he would rather that Goliath
|
|
should triumph over Israel than that David should be the man that
|
|
should triumph over him. <I>Wrath is cruel and anger is outrageous, but
|
|
who can stand before envy,</I> especially the envy of a brother, the
|
|
keenness of which Jacob, and Joseph, and David experienced? See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+18:19">Prov. xviii. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is very ill-favoured language that Eliab here gives him; not only
|
|
unjust and unkind, but, at this time, basely ungrateful; for David was
|
|
now sent by his father, as Joseph by his, on a kind of visit to his
|
|
brethren. Eliab intended, in what he said, not only to grieve and
|
|
discourage David himself, and quench that noble fire which he perceived
|
|
glowing in his breast, but to represent him to those about him as an
|
|
idle proud lad, not fit to be taken notice of. He gives them to
|
|
understand that his business was only to keep sheep, and falsely
|
|
insinuates that he was a careless unfaithful shepherd; though he had
|
|
left his charge in good hands
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>),
|
|
|
|
yet he must tauntingly be asked, <I>With whom hast thou left those few
|
|
sheep?</I> Though he came down now to the camp in disobedience to his
|
|
father and kindness to his brethren, and Eliab knew this, yet his
|
|
coming is turned to his reproach: "Thou hast come down, not to do any
|
|
service, but to gratify thy own curiosity, and only to look about
|
|
thee;" and thence he will infer <I>the pride and naughtiness of his
|
|
heart,</I> and pretends to know it as certainly as if he were in his
|
|
bosom. David could appeal to God concerning his humility and sincerity
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+17:3,131:1">Ps. xvii. 3; cxxxi. 1</A>)
|
|
|
|
and at this time gave proofs of both, and yet could not escape this
|
|
hard character from his own brother. See the folly, absurdity, and
|
|
wickedness, of a proud and envious passion; how groundless its
|
|
jealousies are, how unjust its censures, how unfair its
|
|
representations, how bitter its invectives, and how indecent its
|
|
language. God, by his grace, keep us from such a spirit!
|
|
|
|
(2.) As a trial of David's meekness, patience and constancy. A short
|
|
trial it was, and he approved himself well in it; for,
|
|
|
|
[1.] He bore the provocation with admirable temper
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>What have I now done?</I> What fault have I committed, for which I
|
|
should thus be chidden? <I>Is there not a cause</I> for my coming to
|
|
the camp, when my father sent me? <I>Is there not a cause</I> for my
|
|
resenting the injury done to Israel's honour by Goliath's challenges?"
|
|
He had right and reason on his side, and knew it, and therefore did not
|
|
render railing for railing, but with a soft answer turned away his
|
|
brother's wrath. This conquest of his own passion was in some respects
|
|
more honourable than his conquest of Goliath. <I>He that hath rule over
|
|
his own spirit is better than the mighty.</I> It was no time for David
|
|
to quarrel with his brother when the Philistines were upon them. The
|
|
more threatening the church's enemies are the more forbearing her
|
|
friends should be with one another.
|
|
|
|
[2.] He broke through the discouragement with admirable resolution. He
|
|
would not be driven off from his thoughts of engaging the Philistine by
|
|
the ill-will of his brother. Those that undertake great and public
|
|
services must not think it strange if they be discountenanced and
|
|
opposed by those from whom they had reason to expect support and
|
|
assistance; but must humbly go on with their work, in the face not only
|
|
of their enemies' threats, but of their friends' slights and
|
|
suspicions.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa17_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa17_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa17_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa17_34"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa17_35"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa17_36"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa17_37"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa17_38"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa17_39"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>David Meets Goliath.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1060.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>31 And when the words were heard which David spake, they
|
|
rehearsed <I>them</I> before Saul: and he sent for him.
|
|
32 And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of
|
|
him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.
|
|
33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this
|
|
Philistine to fight with him: for thou <I>art but</I> a youth, and he
|
|
a man of war from his youth.
|
|
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:
|
|
35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered <I>it</I>
|
|
out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught <I>him</I> by
|
|
his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
|
|
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.
|
|
37 David said moreover, The L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> 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 L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> be with thee.
|
|
38 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put a helmet
|
|
of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.
|
|
39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed
|
|
to go; for he had not proved <I>it.</I> And David said unto Saul, I
|
|
cannot go with these; for I have not proved <I>them.</I> And David put
|
|
them off him.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
David is at length presented to Saul for his champion
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>)
|
|
|
|
and he bravely undertakes to fight the Philistine
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Let no man's heart fail because of him.</I> It would have reflected
|
|
too much upon the valour of his prince if he had said, <I>Let not thy
|
|
heart fail;</I> therefore he speaks generally: <I>Let no man's heart
|
|
fail.</I> A little shepherd, come but this morning from keeping sheep,
|
|
has more courage than all the mighty men of Israel, and encourages
|
|
them. Thus does God often send good words to his Israel, and do great
|
|
things for them, by the weak and foolish things of the world. David
|
|
only desires a commission from Saul to go and fight with the
|
|
Philistine, but says nothing to him of the reward he had proposed,
|
|
because that was not the thing he was ambitious of, but only the honour
|
|
of serving God and his country: nor would he seem to question Saul's
|
|
generosity. Two things David had to do with Saul:--</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. To get clear of the objection Saul made against his undertaking.
|
|
"Alas!" says Saul, "thou hast a good heart to it, but art by no means
|
|
an equal match for this Philistine. To engage with him is to throw away
|
|
a life which may better be reserved for more agreeable services.
|
|
<I>Thou art but a youth,</I> rash and inconsiderate, weak and unversed
|
|
in arms: he is a man that has the head and hands of a man, <I>a man of
|
|
war,</I> trained up and inured to it <I>from his youth</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>),
|
|
|
|
and how canst thou expect but that he will be too hard for thee?"
|
|
David, as he had answered his brother's passion with meekness, so he
|
|
answered Saul's fear with faith, and <I>gives a reason of the hope</I>
|
|
which was in him that he should conquer the Philistine, to the
|
|
satisfaction of Saul. We have reason to fear that Saul had no great
|
|
acquaintance with nor regard to the word of God, and therefore David,
|
|
in reasoning with him, fetched not his arguments and encouragements
|
|
thence, how much soever he had an eye to it in his own mind. But he
|
|
argues from experience; though he was but a youth, and never in the
|
|
wars, yet perhaps he had done as much as the killing of Goliath came
|
|
to, for he had had, by divine assistance, spirit enough to encounter
|
|
and strength enough to subdue a lion once and another time a bear that
|
|
robbed him of his lambs,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:34-36"><I>v.</I> 34-36</A>.
|
|
|
|
To these he compares this uncircumcised Philistine, looks upon him to
|
|
be as much a ravenous beast as either of them, and therefore doubts not
|
|
but to deal as easily with him; and hereby he gives Saul to understand
|
|
that he was not so inexperienced in hazardous combats as he took him to
|
|
be.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. He tells his story like a man of spirit. He is not ashamed to own
|
|
that he kept his father's sheep, which his brother had just now
|
|
upbraided him with. So far is he from concealing it that from his
|
|
employment as a shepherd he fetches the experience that now animated
|
|
him. But he lets those about him know that he was no ordinary shepherd.
|
|
Whatever our profession or calling is, be it ever so mean, we should
|
|
labour to excel in it, and do the business of it in the best manner.
|
|
When David kept sheep,
|
|
|
|
(1.) He approved himself very careful and tender of his flock, though
|
|
it was not his own, but his father's. He could not see a lamb in
|
|
distress but he would venture his life to rescue it. This temper made
|
|
him fit to be a king, to whom the lives of subjects should be dear and
|
|
their blood precious
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+72:14">Ps. lxxii. 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
and fit to be a type of Christ, the good Shepherd, who <I>gathers the
|
|
lambs in his arms and carries them in his bosom</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+40:11">Isa. xl. 11</A>),
|
|
|
|
and who not only ventured, but <I>laid down his life for his sheep.</I>
|
|
Thus too was David fit to be an example to ministers with the utmost
|
|
care and diligence to watch for souls, that they be not a prey to the
|
|
roaring lion.
|
|
|
|
(2.) He approved himself very bold and brave in the defence of his
|
|
flock. This was that which he was now concerned to give proof of, and
|
|
better evidence could not be demanded than this: "Thy servant not only
|
|
rescued the lambs, but, to revenge the injury, <I>slew both the lion
|
|
and the bear.</I>"</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. He applies his story like a man of faith. He owns
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:37"><I>v.</I> 37</A>)
|
|
|
|
it was <I>the Lord that delivered him from the lion and the bear;</I>
|
|
to him he gives the praise of that great achievement, and thence he
|
|
infers, <I>He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.</I>
|
|
"The lion and the bear were enemies only to me and my sheep, and it was
|
|
in defence of my own interest that I attacked them; but this Philistine
|
|
is an enemy to God and Israel, <I>defies the armies of the living
|
|
God,</I> and it is for their honour that I attack him." Note,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Our experiences ought to be improved by us as our encouragements
|
|
to trust in God and venture in the way of duty. He that has delivered
|
|
does and will.
|
|
|
|
(2.) By the care which common Providence takes of the inferior
|
|
creatures, and the protection they are under, we may be encouraged to
|
|
depend upon that special Providence which surrounds the Israel of God.
|
|
He that sets bounds to the waves of the sea and the rage of wild beasts
|
|
can and will restrain the wrath of wicked men. Paul seems to allude to
|
|
this of David
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:17,18">2 Tim. iv. 17, 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion,</I> and therefore, I
|
|
trust, <I>the Lord shall deliver me.</I> And perhaps David here thought
|
|
of the story of Samson, and encouraged himself with it; for his slaying
|
|
a lion was a happy presage of his many illustrious victories over the
|
|
Philistines in single combat. Thus David took off Saul's objection
|
|
against his undertaking, and gained a commission to fight the
|
|
Philistine, with which Saul gave him a hearty good wish; since he would
|
|
not venture himself, he prayed for him that would: <I>Go, and the Lord
|
|
be with thee,</I> a good word, if it was not spoken customarily, and in
|
|
a formal manner, as too often it is. But David has somewhat to do
|
|
likewise,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. To get clear of the armour wherewith Saul would, by all means, have
|
|
him dressed up when he went upon this great action
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:38"><I>v.</I> 38</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>He armed David with his armour,</I> not that which he wore himself,
|
|
the disproportion of his stature would not admit that, but some that he
|
|
kept in his armoury, little thinking that he on whom he now put his
|
|
helmet and coat of mail must shortly inherit his crown and robe. David,
|
|
being not yet resolved which way to attack his enemy, <I>girded on his
|
|
sword,</I> not knowing, as yet, but he should have occasion to make use
|
|
of it; but he found the armour would but encumber him, and would be
|
|
rather his burden than his defence, and therefore he desires leave of
|
|
Saul to put them off again: <I>I cannot go with these, for I have not
|
|
proved them,</I> that is, "I have never been accustomed to such
|
|
accoutrements as these." We may suppose Saul's armour was both very
|
|
fine and very firm, but what good would it do David if it were not fit,
|
|
or if he knew not how to manage himself in it? Those that aim at
|
|
things above their education and usage, and covet the attire and armour
|
|
of princes, forget that that is the best for us which we are fit for
|
|
and accustomed to; if we had our desire, we should wish to be in our
|
|
own coat again, and should say, "We cannot go with these;" we had
|
|
therefore better go without them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa17_40"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa17_41"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa17_42"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa17_43"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa17_44"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa17_45"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa17_46"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa17_47"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>David Kills Goliath.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1060.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>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 <I>was</I> in his hand: and he
|
|
drew near to the Philistine.
|
|
41 And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the
|
|
man that bare the shield <I>went</I> before him.
|
|
42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he
|
|
disdained him: for he was <I>but</I> a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair
|
|
countenance.
|
|
43 And the Philistine said unto David, <I>Am</I> I a dog, that thou
|
|
comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his
|
|
gods.
|
|
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.
|
|
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 L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel,
|
|
whom thou hast defied.
|
|
46 This day will the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> 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.
|
|
47 And all this assembly shall know that the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> saveth not
|
|
with sword and spear: for the battle <I>is</I> the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>'s, and he will
|
|
give you into our hands.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We are now coming near this famous combat, and have in these verses the
|
|
preparations and remonstrances made on both sides.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The preparations made on both sides for the encounter. The
|
|
Philistine was already fixed, as he had been daily for the last forty
|
|
days. Well might he go with his armour, for he had sufficiently proved
|
|
it. Only we are told
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:41"><I>v.</I> 41</A>)
|
|
|
|
that he <I>came on and drew near,</I> a signal, it is likely, being
|
|
given that his challenge was accepted, and, as if he distrusted his
|
|
helmet and coat of mail, a man went before him, <I>carrying his
|
|
shield,</I> for his own hands were full with his sword and spear,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:45"><I>v.</I> 45</A>.
|
|
|
|
But what arms and ammunition is David furnished with? Truly none but
|
|
what he brought with him as a shepherd; no breastplate, nor corselet,
|
|
but his plain shepherd's coat; no spear, but his staff; no sword nor
|
|
bow, but his sling; no quiver, but his scrip; nor any arrows, but,
|
|
instead of them, five smooth stones picked up out of the brook,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:40"><I>v.</I> 40</A>.
|
|
|
|
By this it appeared that his confidence was purely in the power of God,
|
|
and not in any sufficiency of his own, and that now at length he who
|
|
put it into his heart to fight the Philistine put it into his head with
|
|
what weapons to do it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The conference which precedes the encounter, in which observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. How very proud Goliath was,
|
|
|
|
(1.) With what scorn he looked upon his adversary,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:42"><I>v.</I> 42</A>.
|
|
|
|
He looked about, expecting to meet some tall strong man, but, when he
|
|
saw what a mean figure he made with whom he was to engage, he disdained
|
|
him, thought it below him to enter the lists with him, fearing that the
|
|
contemptibleness of the champion he contended with would lessen the
|
|
glory of his victory. He took notice of his person, that he was but a
|
|
youth, not come to his strength, <I>ruddy and of a fair
|
|
countenance,</I> fitter to accompany the virgins of Israel in their
|
|
dances (if mixed dancing was then in use) than to lead on the men of
|
|
Israel in their battles. He took notice of his array with great
|
|
indignation
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:43"><I>v.</I> 43</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves?</I> Dost thou think
|
|
to beat me as easily as thou dost thy shepherd's dog?"
|
|
|
|
(2.) With what confidence he presumed upon his success. He cursed David
|
|
by his gods, imprecating the impotent vengeance of his idols against
|
|
him, thinking these fire-balls thrown about him would secure his
|
|
success: and therefore, in confidence of that, he darts his grimaces,
|
|
as if threatening words would kill
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:44"><I>v.</I> 44</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>Come to me, and I will give thy flesh to the fowls of the air,</I>
|
|
it will be a tender and delicate feast for them." Thus the security and
|
|
presumption of fools destroy them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. How very pious David was. His speech savours nothing of ostentation,
|
|
but God is all in all in it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:45-47"><I>v.</I> 45-47</A>.
|
|
|
|
(1.) He derives his authority from God: "<I>I come to thee</I> by
|
|
warrant and commission from heaven, <I>in the name of the Lord,</I> who
|
|
has called me to and anointed me for this undertaking, who, by his
|
|
universal providence, is the <I>Lord of hosts,</I> of all hosts, and
|
|
therefore has power to do what he pleases, and, by the special grace of
|
|
his covenant, is <I>the God of the armies of Israel,</I> and therefore
|
|
has engaged and will employ his power for their protection, and against
|
|
thee who hast impiously defied them." The name of God David relied on,
|
|
as Goliath did on his sword and spear. See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+20:7,118:10,11">Ps. xx. 7; cxviii. 10, 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) He depends for success upon God,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:46"><I>v.</I> 46</A>.
|
|
|
|
David speaks with as much assurance as Goliath had done, but upon
|
|
better ground; it is his faith that says, "<I>This day will the Lord
|
|
deliver thee into my hand,</I> and not only thy carcase, but the
|
|
carcases of the host of the Philistines, shall be given to the birds
|
|
and beasts of prey."
|
|
|
|
(3.) He devotes the praise and glory of all to God. He did not, like
|
|
Goliath, seek his own honour, but the honour of God, not doubting but
|
|
by the success of this action,
|
|
|
|
[1.] All the world should be made to know that there is a God, and that
|
|
the God of Israel is the one only living and true God, and all other
|
|
pretended deities are vanity and a lie.
|
|
|
|
[2.] All Israel (whom he calls not this army, but <I>this assembly,</I>
|
|
or church, because they were now religiously attending the <I>goings of
|
|
their God and King,</I> as they used to do <I>in the sanctuary</I>)
|
|
shall <I>know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:47"><I>v.</I> 47</A>),
|
|
|
|
but can, when he pleases, save without either and against both,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+46:9">Ps. xlvi. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
David addresses himself to this combat rather as a priest that was
|
|
going to offer a sacrifice to the justice of God than as a soldier that
|
|
was going to engage an enemy of his country.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa17_48"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa17_49"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa17_50"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa17_51"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa17_52"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa17_53"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa17_54"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa17_55"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa17_56"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa17_57"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa17_58"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>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.
|
|
49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone,
|
|
and slang <I>it,</I> and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that
|
|
the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to
|
|
the earth.
|
|
50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with
|
|
a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but <I>there was</I>
|
|
no sword in the hand of David.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
53 And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the
|
|
Philistines, and they spoiled their tents.
|
|
54 And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to
|
|
Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent.
|
|
55 And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he
|
|
said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son <I>is</I>
|
|
this youth? And Abner said, <I>As</I> thy soul liveth, O king, I
|
|
cannot tell.
|
|
56 And the king said, Enquire thou whose son the stripling
|
|
<I>is.</I>
|
|
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.
|
|
58 And Saul said to him, Whose son <I>art</I> thou, <I>thou</I> young
|
|
man? And David answered, I <I>am</I> the son of thy servant Jesse the
|
|
Bethlehemite.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here is
|
|
|
|
1. The engagement between the two champions,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:48"><I>v.</I> 48</A>.
|
|
|
|
To this engagement the Philistine advanced with a great deal of state
|
|
and gravity; if he must encounter a pigmy, yet it shall be with the
|
|
magnificence of a giant and a grandee. This is intimated in the manner
|
|
of expression: He <I>arose, and came, and drew nigh,</I> like a
|
|
stalking mountain, overlaid with brass and iron, <I>to meet David.</I>
|
|
David advanced with no less activity and cheerfulness, as one that
|
|
aimed more to do execution than to make a figure: He <I>hasted, and
|
|
ran,</I> being lightly clad, to <I>meet the Philistine.</I> We may
|
|
imagine with what tenderness and compassion the Israelites saw such a
|
|
pleasing youth as this throwing himself into the mouth of destruction,
|
|
but he knew whom he had believed and for whom he acted.
|
|
|
|
2. The fall of Goliath in this engagement. He was in no haste, because
|
|
in no fear, but confident that he should soon at one stroke cleave his
|
|
adversary's head; but, while he was preparing to do it solemnly, David
|
|
did his business effectually, without any parade: he slang a stone
|
|
which hit him in the forehead, and, in the twinkling of an eye, fetched
|
|
him to the ground,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:49"><I>v.</I> 49</A>.
|
|
|
|
Goliath knew there were famous slingers in Israel
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+20:16">Judg. xx. 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
yet was either so forgetful or presumptuous as to go with the beaver of
|
|
his helmet open, and thither, to the only part left exposed, not so
|
|
much David's art as God's providence directed the stone, and brought it
|
|
with such force that it sunk into his head, notwithstanding the
|
|
impudence with which his forehead was brazened. See how frail and
|
|
uncertain life is, even when it thinks itself best fortified, and how
|
|
quickly, how easily, and with how small a matter, the passage may be
|
|
opened for life to go out and death to enter. Goliath himself <I>has
|
|
not power over the spirit to retain the spirit,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+8:8">Eccl. viii. 8</A>.
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Let not the strong man glory in his strength, nor the armed man in his
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armour. See how God resists the proud and pours contempt upon those
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that bid defiance to him and his people. None ever hardened his heart
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against God and prospered. One of the Rabbin thinks that when Goliath
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said to David, <I>Come, and I will give thy flesh to the fowls of the
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air,</I> he threw up his head so hastily that his helmet fell off, and
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so left his broad forehead a fair mark for David. To complete the
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execution, David drew Goliath's own sword, a two-handed weapon for
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David, and with it <I>cut off his head,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:51"><I>v.</I> 51</A>.
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What need had David to take a sword of his own? his enemy's sword shall
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serve his purpose, when he has occasion for one. God is greatly
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glorified when his proud enemies are cut off with their own sword and
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he makes <I>their own tongues to fall upon them,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+64:8">Ps. lxiv. 8</A>.
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David's victory over Goliath was typical of the triumphs of the son of
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David over Satan and all the powers of darkness, whom he <I>spoiled,
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and made a show of them openly</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Col+2:15">Col. ii. 15</A>),
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and we through him are <I>more than conquerors.</I>
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3. The defeat of the Philistines' army hereupon. They relied wholly
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upon the strength of their champion, and therefore, when they saw him
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slain, they did not, as Goliath had offered, throw down their arms and
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surrender themselves servants to Israel
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>),
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but took to their heels, being wholly dispirited, and thinking it to no
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purpose to oppose one before whom such a mighty man had fallen: <I>They
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fled</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:51"><I>v.</I> 51</A>),
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and this put life into the Israelites, who <I>shouted and pursued
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them</I> (David, it is probable, leading them on in the pursuit) even
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to the gates of their own cities,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:52"><I>v.</I> 52</A>.
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In their return from the chase they seized all the baggage, plundered
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the tents
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:53"><I>v.</I> 53</A>),
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and enriched themselves with the spoil.
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4. David's disposal of his trophies,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:54"><I>v.</I> 54</A>.
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He brought the head of the Philistine to Jerusalem, to be a terror to
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the Jebusites, who held the strong-hold of Sion: it is probable that he
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carried it in triumph to other cities. <I>His armour he laid up in his
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tent;</I> only the sword was preserved behind the ephod in the
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tabernacle, as consecrated to God, and a memorial of the victory to his
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honour,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+21:9"><I>ch.</I> xxi. 9</A>.
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5. The notice that was taken of David. Though he had been at court
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formerly, yet, having been for some time absent
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>),
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Saul had forgotten him, being melancholy and mindless, and little
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thinking that his musician would have spirit enough to be his champion;
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and therefore, as if he had never seen him before, he asked whose son
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he was. Abner was a stranger to him, but brought him to Saul
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:57"><I>v.</I> 57</A>),
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and he gave a modest account of himself,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:58"><I>v.</I> 58</A>.
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And now he was introduced to the court with much greater advantages
|
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than before, in which he owned God's hand performing all things for
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him.</P>
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