C. F. Keil and Franz Delitzsch on 1 Samuel 17:57-58

1Sa 17:57-58

When David returned “from the slaughter of the Philistine,” i.e., after the defeat of Goliath, and when Abner, who probably went as commander to meet the brave hero and congratulate him upon his victory, had brought him to Saul, the king addressed the same question to David, who immediately gave him the information he desired. For it is evident that David said more than is here communicated, viz., “the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite,” as we have already observed, from the words of 1Sa 18:1, which presuppose a protracted conversation between Saul and David. The only reason, in all probability, why this conversation has not been recorded, is that it was not followed by any lasting results either for Jesse or David.