Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Samuel 17

NOW the Philistines gathered together their armies to battel , and were gathered together at Shocho, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shocho and Azekah in Ephesdammim.

To Revenge their former great and shameful Defeat, Chap. 14.

Marginal references: Josh. 15. 35.; Or, the coast of Dammim.

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

Where they had disposed and fortified their Camps, that if the one should Assault the other, the Assailant should have the disadvantage, and be obliged to Fight from a lower place.

4 ¶ And there went out a Champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliah, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span .

Heb. a man between two; either because he used to come forth, and stand between the two Armies; or, because he moved that the business should be decided between two, whereof he would be one.

Which is not strange, for besides the Giants mentioned in Scripture, Herodotus, Diodorus Siculus, and Pliny, and others, make mention of persons Seven Cubits high; which is near double to an ordinary mans height.

Marginal references: Heb. a middle man, or a man between two.

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

The common Shekle contained onely a fourth part of an Ounce; and so 5000 Shekels made 1250 Ounces, which make exactly 78 pounds. Which weight is not unsuitable to a man of such vast greatness and strength as his Height speaks him to be.

Marginal references: Heb. clothed.

7 And the staff of his spear was like a weavers beam , and his spears head weighed six hundred shekels of iron, and one bearing a shield went before him.

On which the Weavers fasten their Web. It was like this for thickness; and for the length, that he omits, as easie to be collected by proportion to the rest. And though the whole weight of Goliah's Armour may seem prodigious; yet it is not so much by far, as one Athanatus did manage: of whom Pliny relates, That he saw him come into the Theater with Arms weighing 12000 Ounces.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word] Neh. 3. 3. H[illegible: 1+ letters] 3. 11.

8 And he stood and cryed unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battel in aray? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose ye a man for you, and let him come down to me .

That the Battel may be decided by us Two alone. Such offers were frequent in those times. And possibly he thought the Valiant Ionathan, who had Assaulted an whole Army, would never have refused this Challenge. But God so ordered the matter, that none should accept it, because he would reserve this Honour for David, as a step to his Kingdome.

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

Which may seem strange, considering the glorious Promises, and their late Experiences of Divine Assistance. But the truth is, all men do so intirely depend upon God in all things, that when he withdraws his help, the most Valiant and Resolute Persons cannot find their Hearts nor Hands, as daily experience shews.

12 ¶ Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem-Judah, whose name was Jesse, and he had eight sons : and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.

i. e. Of the man of Ephrathah, or Bethlehem, Gen. 35. 19.

See on chap. 16. 10.

Marginal references: Chap. [illegible: 1 word]; Gen. [illegible: 1 word]

15 But David went and returned from Saul to feed his fathers sheep at Bethlehem.

Either 1. From Saul's Court: where having been entertained by Saul, to relieve him in his Melancholy Fits, he was permitted to go to his Fathers House, to be sent for again upon occasion. Or, 2. From Saul's Camp, whither he used to come to visit his Brethren; as appears from v. 17.

17 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an Ephah of this parched corn , and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren.

A Food then much in use, which they used to mix with Water, or Milk, or Oyl, &c.

Marginal references: Heb▪ [illegible: 1 word] the[illegible: 1+ letters] [illegible: 1 word]

18 And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand , and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledg .

In whose Powe[illegible: 1+ letters] it was in a great measure, either to preserve them, or to expose them to utmost hazards.

i. e. Bring me some token of their welfare from them.

Marginal references: Heb▪ [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] ▪; ‡ Heb▪ [illegible: 1 word] of [illegible: 1+ letters] [illegible: 1 word]

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

i. e. In a posture, and readiness to Fight with them; as it is explained, v. 20, 21. Men are oft said in Scripture, to do what they intend, and are prepared to do; as hath been shewed formerly by instances.

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 battel.

i. e. To the Camp or Army which was there Intrenched.

As the manner was, both to animate themselves, and to terrifie their Enemies.

Marginal references: Or, place of the carriage.; In battel-ray, or place of fight.

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.

The Provisions which he had brought to his brethren.

Marginal references: Heb. the vessels from upon him.; Heb. asked his brethren of peace.

25 And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defie Israel is he come up: and it shall be that the man who killeth him, the King will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his fathers house free in Israel.

It is observable, that Saul in his great Distress, doth not encourage himself in God, nor seek his counsel or favour by Prayers and Sacrifices, but expects Relief from Men onely. This was one Effect and Sign of the departure of God's Spirit from him.

Free from all those Tributes and Charges which either the Court or the Camp required.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. 15. 16.

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

Why should you all be thus dismayed at him? he is but a Man, and that of an accursed Race, a Stranger and Enemy to God, and no way able to stand before them who have the Living and Almighty God for their Strength and Refuge?

28 ¶ And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men, and Eliabs 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 battel.

Either because he thought him guilty of intollerable Folly, and Pride, and Presumption, in pretending to such an Attempt: or because he feared and concluded he would be certainly Ruined in the Enterprize: or rather, because he envied him the glory of so great an undertaking; and took this proffer of David's to be, what indeed it was, a Reproach to himself, and to all the rest, that having the great God on their side, had not the Faith or Courage to Fight with him.

Thou art much fitter to tend Sheep, than to appear in an Army, or to fight with a Giant.

Thy selfconfidence, and vain-glory, and curiosity.

29 And David said, What have I now done? [illegible: 1+ letters]s there not a cause ?

Either, 1. Of my coming: My Father sent me on an Errand. Or rather, 2. Of my thus speaking: [illegible: 1+ letters]s there not Reason in what I say? Is this Giant Invincible? [illegible: 1+ letters]s our God unable to Oppose him, and Subdue him?

30 ¶ And he turned from him towards another, and spake after the same manner : and the people answered him again after the former manner.

For being secretly moved by Gods Spirit to undertake the Combat, he speaks with divers persons about it, that so it might come to the King[illegible: 1+ letters] ear.

Marginal references: Heb. W[illegible: 1+ letters]d.

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

Either, 1. For Age, to wit, comparatively to Goliah, being now not much above 20 years old, as is supposed. Or rather, 2. For Military skill, as the words following explain it; as if he should say, Thou art but a Novice, a raw and unexperienced Souldier, and therefore unable to Fight with him.

34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his fathers sheep, and there came a lion and a bear , and took a lamb out of the flock:

Not both together, but one af[illegible: 1+ letters]er another, at several times.

Marginal references: Or▪ [illegible: 1 word]

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

To wit, the Lyon, as appears by his Beard: which having particularly mentioned, it was easily understood, and believed, that he did the same to the Bear; which therefore it was needless to express.

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.

This he is probably thought to have done after he was Anointed; when he was endowed with singular gifts of Gods Spirit: and among others, with extraordinary courage of Heart, and strength of Body.

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

It is not strange, that Saul consents to the Combate, considering David's pious and convincing Discourse grounded upon sensible Experience; and withal, the dangerous condition of the Israelitish Affairs, and the absolute Refusal of all other persons.

h His Good-will is the same to me, that it then was, and his Power is not diminished.

Marginal references: Heb. hand.; Heb. hand.

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

Either, 1. With Saul's own Armour which he used to wear in Battel: which seems not to agree with the extraordinary height of Saul's Stature, 1 Sam. 10. 23. Nor is it like that Saul would disarm himself, when he was going forth to the Battel, v. 20, 21. Or, 2. With Armour taken out of his Armory. Not that the whole Armory of Saul was brought into the Field; but that some chosen Arms were taken out thence, and brought for any emergent occasion. Or rather, 3. With his vestments, or garments. For, 1. So the Hebrew Word properly and usually signifies; and so this same Word is Translated, 1 Sam. 18. 4. 2. His Armour is distinguished from this, and is particularly described in the following words. He seems therefore to speak of some Military Vestments which were then used in War, and were contrived for defence; such as Buff-coats now are.

Marginal references: Heb. clothed, &c. with his clothes.

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

I have no skill nor experience in the management of this kind of Arms.

40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherds bag which he had even in a scrip, and his sling was in his hand , and he drew near to the Philistine.

His Shepherds staff. These Arms were in themselves contemptible, yet chosen by David; partly, because he had no skill to use other Arms; partly, because he had inward assurance of the Victory, even by these Weapons; and partly, because such a Conquest would be most honourable to God, and most shameful, and discouraging to the Philistines.

That if one should fail him, he might make use of another.

Because such Stones would go most freely out of the Sling; and consequently, with more force and certainty, directly to the Mark which he aimed at.

This sort of Weapons was not unusual in the Fights of ancient times; and many arrived at great dexterity in slinging Stones with great certainty; of which we have instances both in Scripture, as Iudg. 20. 16. and in Diodorus Siculus, and Livy, and other Authors.

Marginal references: Or, Valley.; Heb. Vessel.

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

Not having so much as the countenance of a Martial person.

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

i. e. With a Staff. The Plural Number for the Singular; as Gen. 21. 7. and 46. 7.

He prayed that his god Dagon, and Ashtaroth, &c. would Destroy him.

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

i. e. By a Commission from him, with confidence in him, and assurance of his Help, and for the vindication of his Honour.

In defying that Army and People whereof he is the Lord, and Protector.

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

Heb. that God, the onely true God, is for Israel; or on Israels side, and against you. Or, that Israel hath a God, a God indeed, one who is able to help them; and not such an impotent Idol as you serve.

Marginal references: Heb. shut thee up.; 2 King. 5. 15.

47 And all this assembly shall know, that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear , (for the battel is the LORDS ,) and he will give you into our hands .

i. e. That he can save without these Arms, and with the most contemptible Weapons, such as mine seem to thee.

i. e. The Events of War are wholly in his Power, to give Success to whom, and by what means he pleaseth.

David speaks thus confidently, because he was assured of it by a particular Inspiration from God.

49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his fore-head, that the stone sunk into his fore-head , and he fell upon his face to the earth.

Either, 1. The Stone pierced through his Helmet; which such Stones being slung, would not seldom do; as even Diodorus Siculus relates. Or 2. The Stone might get in through one of those holes which are left in Helmets, that he that wears it may see his way, and how to direct his blows. Or rather, 3. The proud Giant had lift up that part of his Helmet which covered his Fore-head; and that in contempt of David and his Weapons, and by the singular direction of Gods Providence.

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.

Hence it appears, that David was not a little man, as many fancy; but a man of considerable bulk and strength, because he was able to manage a Giant's Sword; which also he did, both here and below, Chap. 21. 9.

Qu. How could this be, when he slew him before with the Stone, v. 50? Answ. There he gives a general account of the Event of the Battel, and of the Giants Death: but here he gives a particular Relation of the manner and instrument of his Death. The Stone threw him down to the Earth, and bereaved him of the use of his Sense and Motion; but there remained some Life in him, (as frequently doth in such cases) which the Sword took away, and so compleated the Work.

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

Heb. their camps, i. e. Their Camp: but he speaks of it in the Plural Number, because of the great extent, and various quarters of their Camp.

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

Either, to terrifie the Iebusites, who yet held the Fort of Zion, 2 Sam. 5. 7. or, for some other reason not Recorded, nor now known.

i. e. In the Tent which was erected for him in the Camp, upon this occasion. There it was kept for the present; though afterwards it seems to have been translated to the Tabernacle; where we find his Sword, Chap. 21. and it is not unlikely the rest of his Armour was there also.

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

Qu. How could David be unknown to Saul, with whom he had lived, Chap. 16. 21? Answ. That might well be, for divers reasons, because David was not constantly with him; nor, as it seems, used by him, but upon extraordinary Occasions, and desperate fits of Melancholy; from which, possibly he had been free for a good while, by Gods special Providence and Care for his People Israel, that so he might be capable of Governing and Protecting them against the Philistines, who watched all opportunities against them, and at last, broke forth into an open War. Thus David had been for some considerable time dismissed from Saul's Court, and was returned home. And therefore it is not strange, if Saul had for the present forgotten David. For Kings, because of the Encumbrance of Publick Business, and the Multitude of Persons who come to them on several occasions, may easily forget some persons; yea, such as have frequently been with them, especially their Servants whom they do not use to observe with so much attention and care as they do others. Add to this, that the distemper of Saul's mind might make him forgetful; and that David might now be much changed, both in his countenance and in his habit, from what he had before; and it is apparent, that the change of habits makes so great a difference, that it oft keeps us from the knowledge of those Persons whom in other habits we very well know. Some give this Answer, That this was the first time that Saul had seen David; and that David's exploit here Recorded, was performed before that which is Recorded chap. 17. 15, &c. though it be placed after it: But that is confuted by comparing chap. 18. 1, 2, 3.

Which is not strange, because Abner's conversation and employment was generally in the Camp, when David was at the Court; and when Abner was there, he took little notice of a Person so much inferior to him as David was.