mh_parser/vol_split/9 - 1Samuel/Chapter 17.xml

<div2 id="iSam.xviii" n="xviii" next="iSam.xix" prev="iSam.xvii" progress="32.66%" title="Chapter XVII">
<h2 id="iSam.xviii-p0.1">F I R S T   S A M U E L</h2>
<h3 id="iSam.xviii-p0.2">CHAP. XVII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iSam.xviii-p1">David is the man whom God now delights to honour,
for he is a man after his own heart. We read in the foregoing
chapter how, after he was anointed, Providence made him famous in
the court; we read in this chapter how Providence made him much
more famous in the camp, and, by both, not only marked him for a
great man, but fitted him for the throne for which he was designed.
In the court he was only Saul's physician; but in the camp Israel's
champion; there he fairly fought, and beat Goliath of Gath. In the
story observe, I. What a noble figure Goliath made, and how
daringly he challenged the armies of Israel, <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.1-1Sam.17.11" parsed="|1Sam|17|1|17|11" passage="1Sa 17:1-11">ver. 1-11</scripRef>. II. What a mean figure David
made, when Providence brought him to the army, <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.12-1Sam.17.30" parsed="|1Sam|17|12|17|30" passage="1Sa 17:12-30">ver. 12-30</scripRef>. III. The unparalleled bravery
wherewith David undertook to encounter this Philistine, <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.31-1Sam.17.39" parsed="|1Sam|17|31|17|39" passage="1Sa 17:31-39">ver. 31-39</scripRef>. IV. The pious
resolution with which he attacked him, <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.40-1Sam.17.47" parsed="|1Sam|17|40|17|47" passage="1Sa 17:40-47">ver. 40-47</scripRef>. V. The glorious victory he
obtained over him with a sling and a stone, and the advantage which
the Israelites thereby gained against the Philistines, <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.48-1Sam.17.54" parsed="|1Sam|17|48|17|54" passage="1Sa 17:48-54">ver. 48-54</scripRef>. VI. The great notice
which was hereupon taken of David at court, <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.55-1Sam.17.58" parsed="|1Sam|17|55|17|58" passage="1Sa 17:55-58">ver. 55-58</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iSam.xviii-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17" parsed="|1Sam|17|0|0|0" passage="1Sa 17" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iSam.xviii-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.1-1Sam.17.11" parsed="|1Sam|17|1|17|11" passage="1Sa 17:1-11" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.17.1-1Sam.17.11">
<h4 id="iSam.xviii-p1.9">Goliath's Challenge to
Israel. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xviii-p1.10">b. c.</span> 1060.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iSam.xviii-p2">1 Now the Philistines gathered together their
armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which
<i>belongeth</i> to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah,
in Ephes-dammim.   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.   3 And the
Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood
on a mountain on the other side: and <i>there was</i> a valley
between them.   4 And there went out a champion out of the
camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height
<i>was</i> six cubits and a span.   5 And <i>he had</i> a
helmet of brass upon his head, and he <i>was</i> armed with a coat
of mail; and the weight of the coat <i>was</i> five thousand
shekels of brass.   6 And <i>he had</i> greaves of brass upon
his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders.   7 And
the staff of his spear <i>was</i> like a weaver's beam; and his
spear's head <i>weighed</i> six hundred shekels of iron: and one
bearing a shield went before him.   8 And he stood and cried
unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out
to set <i>your</i> battle in array? <i>am</i> not I a Philistine,
and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come
down to me.   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.  
10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day;
give me a man, that we may fight together.   11 When Saul and
all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed,
and greatly afraid.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xviii-p3">It was not long ago that the Philistines
were soundly beaten, and put to the worse, before Israel, and they
would have been totally routed if Saul's rashness had not
prevented; but here we have them making head again. Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xviii-p4">I. How they <i>defied Israel with their
armies,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.1" parsed="|1Sam|17|1|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>.
They made a descent upon the Israelites' country, and possessed
themselves, as it should seem, of some part of it, for they
encamped in a place <i>which belonged to Judah.</i> Israel's ground
would never have been footing for Philistine-armies if Israel had
been faithful to their God. The Philistines (it is probable) had
heard that Samuel had fallen out with Saul and forsaken him, and no
longer assisted and advised him, and that Saul had grown melancholy
and unfit for business, and this news encouraged them to make this
attempt for the retrieving of the credit they had lately lost. The
enemies of the church are watchful to take all advantages, and they
never have greater advantages than when her protectors have
provoked God's Spirit and prophets to leave them. Saul mustered his
forces, and faced them, <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.2-1Sam.17.3" parsed="|1Sam|17|2|17|3" passage="1Sa 17:2,3"><i>v.</i> 2,
3</scripRef>. And here we must take notice, 1. That the evil
spirit, for the present, had left Saul, <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.16.23" parsed="|1Sam|16|23|0|0" passage="1Sa 16:23"><i>ch.</i> xvi. 23</scripRef>. David's harp having
given him some relief, perhaps the alarms and affairs of the war
prevented the return of the distemper. Business is a good antidote
against melancholy. Let the mind have something without to fasten
on and employ itself about, and it will be the less in danger of
preying upon itself. God, in mercy to Israel, suspended the
judgment for a while; for how distracted must the affairs of the
public have been if at this juncture the prince had been
distracted! 2. That David for the present had returned to
Bethlehem, and had left the court, <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.15" parsed="|1Sam|17|15|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>. When Saul had no further
occasion to use him for the relief of his distemper, though, being
anointed, he had a very good private reason, and, having a grant of
the place of Saul's armour-bearer, he had a very plausible pretence
to have continued his attendance, as a retainer to the court, yet
he went home to Bethlehem, and returned to keep his father's sheep;
this was a rare instance, in a young man that stood so fair for
preferment, of humility and affection to his parents. He knew
better than most do how to come down again after he had begun to
rise, and strangely preferred the retirements of the pastoral life
before all the pleasures and gaieties of the court. None more fit
for honour than he, nor that deserved it better, and yet none more
dead to it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xviii-p5">II. How they defied Israel with their
champion Goliath, whom they were almost as proud of as he was of
himself, hoping by him to recover their reputation and dominion.
Perhaps the army of the Israelites was superior in number and
strength to that of the Philistines, which made the Philistines
decline a battle, and stand at bay with them, desiring rather to
put the issue upon a single combat, in which, having such a
champion, they hoped to gain the victory. Now concerning this
champion observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xviii-p6">1. His prodigious size. He was of the sons
of Anak, who at Gath kept their ground in Joshua's time (<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.11.22" parsed="|Josh|11|22|0|0" passage="Jos 11:22">Josh. xi. 22</scripRef>), and kept up a race of
giants there, of which Goliath was one, and, it is probable, one of
the largest. He was in height <i>six cubits and a span,</i>
<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.4" parsed="|1Sam|17|4|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. The learned
bishop Cumberland has made it out that the scripture-cubit was
above twenty-one inches (above three inches more than our
half-yard) and a span was half a cubit, by which computation
Goliath wanted but eight inches of four yard in height, eleven feet
and four inches, a monstrous stature, and which made him very
formidable, especially if he had strength and spirit
proportionable.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xviii-p7">2. His armour. Art, as well as nature, made
him terrible. He was well furnished with defensive armour
(<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.5-1Sam.17.6" parsed="|1Sam|17|5|17|6" passage="1Sa 17:5,6"><i>v.</i> 5, 6</scripRef>): <i>A
helmet of brass on his head, a coat of mail,</i> made of brass
plates laid over one another, like the scales of a fish; and,
because his legs would lie most within the reach of an ordinary
man, he wore brass boots, and had a large corselet of brass about
his neck. The coat is said to weigh 5000 shekels, and a shekel was
half an ounce avoirdupois, a vast weight for a man to carry, all
the other parts of his armour being proportionable. But some think
it should be translated, not the <i>weight</i> of the coat, but the
<i>value</i> of it, was 5000 shekels; so much it cost. His
offensive weapons were extraordinary, of which his spear only is
here described, <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.7" parsed="|1Sam|17|7|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:7"><i>v.</i>
7</scripRef>. It was like a weaver's beam. His arm could manage
that which an ordinary man could scarcely heave. His shield only,
which was the lightest of all his accoutrements, was carried before
him by his esquire, probably for state; for he that was clad in
brass little needed a shield.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xviii-p8">3. His challenge. The Philistines having
chosen him for their champion, to save themselves from the hazard
of battle, he here throws down the gauntlet, and bids defiance to
the armies of Israel, <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.8-1Sam.17.10" parsed="|1Sam|17|8|17|10" passage="1Sa 17:8-10"><i>v.</i>
8-10</scripRef>. He came into the valley that lay between the
camps, and, his voice probably being as much stronger than other
people's as his arm was, he cried so as to make them all hear him,
<i>Give me a man, that we may fight together.</i> He looked upon
himself with admiration, because he was so much taller and stronger
than all about him; his heart (says bishop Hall) nothing but a lump
of proud flesh. He looked upon Israel with disdain, because they
had none among them of such a monstrous bulk, and defies them to
find a man among them bold enough to enter the list with him. (1.)
He upbraids them with their folly in drawing an army together:
"<i>Why have you come to set the battle in array?</i> How dare you
oppose the mighty Philistines?" Or, "Why should the two armies
engage, when the controversy may be sooner decided, with only the
expense of one life and the hazard of another?" (2.) He offers to
put the war entirely upon the issue of the duel he proposes: "If
your champion kill me, we will be your servants; if I kill him, you
shall be ours." This, says bishop Patrick, was only a bravado, for
no nation would be willing thus to venture its all upon the success
of one man, nor is it justifiable; notwithstanding Goliath's
stipulation here, when he was killed the Philistines did not stand
to his word, nor submit themselves as servants to Israel. When he
boasts, <i>I am a Philistine, and you are servants to Saul,</i> he
would have it thought a great piece of condescension in him, who
was a chief ruler, to enter the lists with an Israelite; for he
looked on them as no better than slaves. The Chaldee paraphrase
brings him in boasting that he was the man that had killed Hophni
and Phinehas and taken the ark prisoner, but that the Philistines
had never given him so much as the command of a regiment in
recompence of his services, whereas Saul had been made king for his
services: "Let him therefore take up the challenge."</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xviii-p9">4. The terror this struck upon Israel:
<i>Saul and his army were greatly afraid,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.11" parsed="|1Sam|17|11|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>. The people would not have been
dismayed but that they observed Saul's courage failed him; and it
is not to be expected that, if the leader be a coward, the
followers should be bold. We found before, when the Spirit of the
Lord came upon Saul (<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.11.6" parsed="|1Sam|11|6|0|0" passage="1Sa 11:6"><i>ch.</i> xi.
6</scripRef>), none could be more daring nor forward to answer the
challenge of Nahash the Ammonite, but now that the <i>Spirit of the
Lord had departed from him</i> even the big looks and big words of
a single Philistine make him change colour. But where was Jonathan
all this while? Why did not he accept the challenge, who, in the
last war, had so bravely engaged a whole army of Philistines?
Doubtless he did not feel himself stirred up of God to it, as he
did in the former case. As the best, so the bravest men, are no
more than what God makes them. Jonathan must now sit still, because
the honour of engaging Goliath is reserved for David. In great and
good actions, the wind of the Spirit blows when and where he
listeth. Now the pious Israelites lament their king's breach with
Samuel.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iSam.xviii-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.12-1Sam.17.30" parsed="|1Sam|17|12|17|30" passage="1Sa 17:12-30" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.17.12-1Sam.17.30">
<h4 id="iSam.xviii-p9.4">David Comes to the Camp of
Israel. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xviii-p9.5">b. c.</span> 1060.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iSam.xviii-p10">12 Now David <i>was</i> the son of that
Ephrathite of Bethlehem-judah, whose name <i>was</i> Jesse; and he
had eight sons: and the man went among men <i>for</i> an old man in
the days of Saul.   13 And the three eldest sons of Jesse went
<i>and</i> followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three
sons that went to the battle <i>were</i> Eliab the firstborn, and
next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.   14 And David
<i>was</i> the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul.  
15 But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep
at Bethlehem.   16 And the Philistine drew near morning and
evening, and presented himself forty days.   17 And Jesse said
unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this
parched <i>corn,</i> and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to
thy brethren;   18 And carry these ten cheeses unto the
captain of <i>their</i> thousand, and look how thy brethren fare,
and take their pledge.   19 Now Saul, and they, and all the
men of Israel, <i>were</i> in the valley of Elah, fighting with the
Philistines.   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.   21 For
Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army
against army.   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.   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 <i>them.</i>   24 And all the
men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore
afraid.   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, <i>that</i> 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.   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 <i>is</i> this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should
defy the armies of the living God?   27 And the people
answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the
man that killeth him.   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.   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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xviii-p11">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 class="indent" id="iSam.xviii-p12">I. The present state of his family. His
father was old (<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.12" parsed="|1Sam|17|12|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:12"><i>v.</i>
12</scripRef>): <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
(<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.13-1Sam.17.14" parsed="|1Sam|17|13|17|14" passage="1Sa 17:13,14"><i>v.</i> 13, 14</scripRef>),
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, <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.34" parsed="|1Sam|17|34|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:34"><i>v.</i> 34</scripRef>) 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 class="indent" id="iSam.xviii-p13">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 (<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.17" parsed="|1Sam|17|17|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:17"><i>v.</i>
17</scripRef>) and ten cheeses (which, it seems, he thought too
good for them) for a present to their colonel, <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.18" parsed="|1Sam|17|18|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="iSam.xviii-p14">III. David's dutiful obedience to his
father's command. His prudence and care made him be up early
(<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.20" parsed="|1Sam|17|20|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>), 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, <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.21" parsed="|1Sam|17|21|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="iSam.xviii-p15">1. How brisk and lively David was,
<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.22" parsed="|1Sam|17|22|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="iSam.xviii-p16">2. How bold and daring the Philistine was,
<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.23" parsed="|1Sam|17|23|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="iSam.xviii-p17">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> <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.24" parsed="|1Sam|17|24|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>.
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>
<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.32.30" parsed="|Deut|32|30|0|0" passage="De 32:30">Deut. xxxii. 30</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xviii-p18">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, <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.25" parsed="|1Sam|17|25|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:25"><i>v.</i> 25</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="iSam.xviii-p19">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 (<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.26" parsed="|1Sam|17|26|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:26"><i>v.</i>
26</scripRef>), 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> (<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.25.6" parsed="|Prov|25|6|0|0" passage="Pr 25:6">Prov.
xxv. 6</scripRef>); 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 (<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p19.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.27" parsed="|1Sam|17|27|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:27"><i>v.</i>
27</scripRef>) he asked others (<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p19.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.30" parsed="|1Sam|17|30|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef>), with the same resentment,
which he expected would at length come to Saul's ear.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xviii-p20">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,
<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.28" parsed="|1Sam|17|28|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:28"><i>v.</i> 28</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.15" parsed="|1Sam|17|15|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>), 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
<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p20.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.18.19" parsed="|Prov|18|19|0|0" passage="Pr 18:19">Prov. xviii. 19</scripRef>. 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 (<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p20.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.20" parsed="|1Sam|17|20|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>), 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 obedience 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 (<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p20.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.17.3 Bible:Ps.131.1" parsed="|Ps|17|3|0|0;|Ps|131|1|0|0" passage="Ps 17:3,131:1">Ps. xvii. 3; cxxxi.
1</scripRef>) 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 (<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p20.6" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.29" parsed="|1Sam|17|29|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:29"><i>v.</i> 29</scripRef>): "<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>
</div><scripCom id="iSam.xviii-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.31-1Sam.17.39" parsed="|1Sam|17|31|17|39" passage="1Sa 17:31-39" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.17.31-1Sam.17.39">
<h4 id="iSam.xviii-p20.8">David Meets Goliath. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xviii-p20.9">b. c.</span> 1060.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iSam.xviii-p21">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 <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xviii-p21.1">Lord</span> 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xviii-p21.2">Lord</span> 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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xviii-p22">David is at length presented to Saul for
his champion (<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.31" parsed="|1Sam|17|31|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:31"><i>v.</i>
31</scripRef>) and he bravely undertakes to fight the Philistine
(<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p22.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.32" parsed="|1Sam|17|32|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:32"><i>v.</i> 32</scripRef>): <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 class="indent" id="iSam.xviii-p23">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> (<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.33" parsed="|1Sam|17|33|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:33"><i>v.</i> 33</scripRef>), 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, <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p23.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.34-1Sam.17.36" parsed="|1Sam|17|34|17|36" passage="1Sa 17:34-36"><i>v.</i>
34-36</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="iSam.xviii-p24">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 (<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.72.14" parsed="|Ps|72|14|0|0" passage="Ps 72:14">Ps. lxxii. 14</scripRef>), 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> (<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p24.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.40.11" parsed="|Isa|40|11|0|0" passage="Isa 40:11">Isa. xl. 11</scripRef>), 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 class="indent" id="iSam.xviii-p25">2. He applies his story like a man of
faith. He owns (<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p25.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.37" parsed="|1Sam|17|37|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:37"><i>v.</i>
37</scripRef>) 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 (<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p25.2" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.4.17-2Tim.4.18" parsed="|2Tim|4|17|4|18" passage="2Ti 4:17,18">2
Tim. iv. 17, 18</scripRef>), <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 class="indent" id="iSam.xviii-p26">II. To get clear of the armour wherewith
Saul would, by all means, have him dressed up when he went upon
this great action (<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p26.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.38" parsed="|1Sam|17|38|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:38"><i>v.</i>
38</scripRef>): <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>
</div><scripCom id="iSam.xviii-p0.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.40-1Sam.17.47" parsed="|1Sam|17|40|17|47" passage="1Sa 17:40-47" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.17.40-1Sam.17.47">
<h4 id="iSam.xviii-p26.3">David Kills Goliath. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xviii-p26.4">b. c.</span> 1060.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iSam.xviii-p27">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 <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xviii-p27.1">Lord</span> of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel,
whom thou hast defied.   46 This day will the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xviii-p27.2">Lord</span> 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xviii-p27.3">Lord</span>
saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle <i>is</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.xviii-p27.4">Lord</span>'s, and he will give you into our
hands.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xviii-p28">We are now coming near this famous combat,
and have in these verses the preparations and remonstrances made on
both sides.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xviii-p29">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 (<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p29.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.41" parsed="|1Sam|17|41|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:41"><i>v.</i> 41</scripRef>) 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, <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p29.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.45" parsed="|1Sam|17|45|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:45"><i>v.</i> 45</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p29.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.40" parsed="|1Sam|17|40|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:40"><i>v.</i> 40</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="iSam.xviii-p30">II. The conference which precedes the
encounter, in which observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xviii-p31">1. How very proud Goliath was, (1.) With
what scorn he looked upon his adversary, <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p31.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.42" parsed="|1Sam|17|42|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:42"><i>v.</i> 42</scripRef>. 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
(<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p31.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.43" parsed="|1Sam|17|43|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:43"><i>v.</i> 43</scripRef>): "<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 (<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p31.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.44" parsed="|1Sam|17|44|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:44"><i>v.</i> 44</scripRef>): "<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 class="indent" id="iSam.xviii-p32">2. How very pious David was. His speech
savours nothing of ostentation, but God is all in all in it,
<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p32.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.45-1Sam.17.47" parsed="|1Sam|17|45|17|47" passage="1Sa 17:45-47"><i>v.</i> 45-47</scripRef>. (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 <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p32.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.20.7 Bible:Ps.118.10-Ps.118.11" parsed="|Ps|20|7|0|0;|Ps|118|10|118|11" passage="Ps 20:7,118:10,11">Ps. xx. 7; cxviii.
10, 11</scripRef>. (2.) He depends for success upon God, <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p32.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.46" parsed="|1Sam|17|46|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:46"><i>v.</i> 46</scripRef>. 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> (<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p32.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.47" parsed="|1Sam|17|47|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:47"><i>v.</i> 47</scripRef>), but can, when he pleases,
save without either and against both, <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p32.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.46.9" parsed="|Ps|46|9|0|0" passage="Ps 46:9">Ps. xlvi. 9</scripRef>. 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>
</div><scripCom id="iSam.xviii-p0.6" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.48-1Sam.17.58" parsed="|1Sam|17|48|17|58" passage="1Sa 17:48-58" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.17.48-1Sam.17.58">
<p class="passage" id="iSam.xviii-p33">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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.xviii-p34">Here is 1. The engagement between the two
champions, <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p34.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.48" parsed="|1Sam|17|48|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:48"><i>v.</i> 48</scripRef>.
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, <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p34.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.49" parsed="|1Sam|17|49|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:49"><i>v.</i> 49</scripRef>.
Goliath knew there were famous slingers in Israel (<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p34.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.20.16" parsed="|Judg|20|16|0|0" passage="Jdg 20:16">Judg. xx. 16</scripRef>), 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>
<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p34.4" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.8.8" parsed="|Eccl|8|8|0|0" passage="Ec 8:8">Eccl. viii. 8</scripRef>. Let not the
strong man glory in his strength, nor the armed man in his armour.
See how God resists the proud and pours contempt upon those that
bid defiance to him and his people. None ever hardened his heart
against God and prospered. One of the Rabbin thinks that when
Goliath said to David, <i>Come, and I will give thy flesh to the
fowls of the air,</i> he threw up his head so hastily that his
helmet fell off, and so left his broad forehead a fair mark for
David. To complete the execution, David drew Goliath's own sword, a
two-handed weapon for David, and with it <i>cut off his head,</i>
<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p34.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.51" parsed="|1Sam|17|51|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:51"><i>v.</i> 51</scripRef>. What need
had David to take a sword of his own? his enemy's sword shall serve
his purpose, when he has occasion for one. God is greatly glorified
when his proud enemies are cut off with their own sword and he
makes <i>their own tongues to fall upon them,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p34.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.64.8" parsed="|Ps|64|8|0|0" passage="Ps 64:8">Ps. lxiv. 8</scripRef>. David's victory over
Goliath was typical of the triumphs of the son of David over Satan
and all the powers of darkness, whom he <i>spoiled, and made a show
of them openly</i> (<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p34.7" osisRef="Bible:Col.2.15" parsed="|Col|2|15|0|0" passage="Col 2:15">Col. ii.
15</scripRef>), and we through him are <i>more than conquerors.</i>
3. The defeat of the Philistines' army hereupon. They relied wholly
upon the strength of their champion, and therefore, when they saw
him slain, they did not, as Goliath had offered, throw down their
arms and surrender themselves servants to Israel (<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p34.8" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.9" parsed="|1Sam|17|9|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>), but took to their
heels, being wholly dispirited, and thinking it to no purpose to
oppose one before whom such a mighty man had fallen: <i>They
fled</i> (<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p34.9" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.51" parsed="|1Sam|17|51|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:51"><i>v.</i> 51</scripRef>),
and this put life into the Israelites, who <i>shouted and pursued
them</i> (David, it is probable, leading them on in the pursuit)
even to the gates of their own cities, <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p34.10" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.52" parsed="|1Sam|17|52|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:52"><i>v.</i> 52</scripRef>. In their return from the chase
they seized all the baggage, plundered the tents (<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p34.11" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.53" parsed="|1Sam|17|53|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:53"><i>v.</i> 53</scripRef>), and enriched
themselves with the spoil. 4. David's disposal of his trophies,
<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p34.12" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.54" parsed="|1Sam|17|54|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:54"><i>v.</i> 54</scripRef>. He brought
the head of the Philistine to Jerusalem, to be a terror to the
Jebusites, who held the strong-hold of Sion: it is probable that he
carried it in triumph to other cities. <i>His armour he laid up in
his tent;</i> only the sword was preserved behind the ephod in the
tabernacle, as consecrated to God, and a memorial of the victory to
his honour, <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p34.13" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.21.9" parsed="|1Sam|21|9|0|0" passage="1Sa 21:9"><i>ch.</i> xxi.
9</scripRef>. 5. The notice that was taken of David. Though he had
been at court formerly, yet, having been for some time absent
(<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p34.14" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.15" parsed="|1Sam|17|15|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>), Saul had
forgotten him, being melancholy and mindless, and little thinking
that his musician would have spirit enough to be his champion; and
therefore, as if he had never seen him before, he asked whose son
he was. Abner was a stranger to him, but brought him to Saul
(<scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p34.15" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.57" parsed="|1Sam|17|57|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:57"><i>v.</i> 57</scripRef>), and he
gave a modest account of himself, <scripRef id="iSam.xviii-p34.16" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.58" parsed="|1Sam|17|58|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:58"><i>v.</i> 58</scripRef>. And now he was introduced to
the court with much greater advantages than before, in which he
owned God's hand performing all things for him.</p>
</div></div2>