Westminster Annotations, 1 Samuel (1 Kings) · Chapter 17
CHAP. XVII.
Vers. 1. NOw] Some think that this whole Chapter is a digression or transposition of the story, relating things done before David's coming to the court, added for the confirming of those words whereby the servants of Saul commended him to their master, Chap. 16 18.
Shochoh and Azekah] Cities belonging to the tribe of Judah, Josh. 15. 35, 45.
Ephes-dammim] Or, the coast of Dammim.
V. 2. of Elah] The oak, or, grove of oaks.
set the battell in aray] Hebr. ranged the battell.
V. 4. a champion] Hebr. a man between two; either because he put himself between the two camps, or offered a duell between two, that is, himself and another.
a span] That is, three hands-breadth, or twelve inches.
V. 5. armed] Hebr. clothed.
shekels of brasse] The common shekel was half an ounce; according to which estimate, the coat weighed two thousand and five hundred shekels, that is, one hundred fifty and six pound, and four ounces: others compute it to two hundred and eight pound, and four ounces, assigning to every pound twelve ounces.
V. 6. target] Or, gorget.
V. 7. six hundred shekels] That is, five and twenty pound, computing twelve ounces to the pound.
V. 8. chuse you a man] To wit, to fight with me in a duell or single combat, and let that side be esteemed victors, whose champion overcometh the other.
V. 10. Philistine said] That is, began to insult, when he saw that none durst come to answer his challenge.
V. 12. the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem-judah] Chap. 16. 1.
eight sons] He had onelyonly seven sons properly, which are named, 1 Chron. 2. 13, 14, 15. the eighth was the son of one of the seven, and so Jesse his nephew, which usually in the Scriptures are called sons, Dan. 5. 11, 12. or, as others think, one of his eight sons wanting issue, is therefore left out in the genealogie, 1 Chron. 2. 15.
went] That is, was accounted in the estimate of men.
V. 13. three eldest] Of which, see Chap. 16. 6, 7, 8.
V. 14. the youngest] To wit, of Jesse his own sons.
V. 15. went, and returned] That is, he was often sent by his father to visite his brethren, and supply their wants; which being done, he returned to keep the sheep. Some understand it, of his often coming and going from the court to his fathers house.
V. 17. an ephah] See Exod. 16. 36.
V. 18. cheeses] Hebr. cheeses of milk.
captain of their thousand] Hebr. captain of a thousand.
their pledge] That is, bring unto me some token from them, whereby I may know that they are alive and well. Others take it thus; If they have laid ought to pawn f…r victualls or necessaries, take money with thee to redeem it.
V. 20. trench] Or, place of the carriage.
fight] Or, battell-ray, or, place of fight.
V. 22. his carriage] Hebr. the vessels from upon him. That is, the things sent by his father to the captain and his brethren, that he might with more speed go into the army.
saluted his brethren] Hebr. asked his brethren of peace.
V. 23. came up] To wit, towards the mountain where the Israelites were now in battell aray.
same words] To wit, as before, v. 8.
V. 24. from him] Hebr. from his face.
V. 25. to defie] That is, to reproach them as dastards, that durst not fight with him, being so often provoked.
will give him his daughter] Josh. 15. 16.
free] That is, from all taxes and impositions, and so ennoble his family.
V. 29. What have I] q. d. Is it not lawfull for me to speak of that which is in every ones mouth? or, What cause have I given to be taxed of pride?
a cause] Have I not good reason to make this enquiry?
V. 30. the same manner] Hebr. word. Both that he might know the certainty of the matter, and also shew his willingnesse to fight, that the king might hear of it when he spake it to many.
V. 31. sent for him] Heb. took him.
V. 33. fight with him] To wit, with any hope of victory.
but a youth] And therefore inexpert in warlike affairs.
V. 34. lamb] Or, kid.
V. 36. shall be as one of them] By the experience which he had in time past of Gods help, he doubteth n…t of victory over Goliath.
V. 38. armed David with his armour] Hebr. clothed David with his clothes. That is, with armour which he gave David, and fit for his bodie: for Saul being so very tall, his own armour was unfit for David, Chap. 10. 23.
V. 39. proved it] That is, the armour and weapons.
not proved them] That is, not been used to wear them.
V. 40. his staff] That is, his sheepherds crook.
brook] Or, valley.
bag] Hebr. vessell.
V. 42. but a youth] Here three causes are expressed of the giants contempt; his youth, which argued his weaknesse and want of experience; his ruddie colour, which shewed his rashnesse, and undiscreet choler; his beauty, which made him seem effeminate, and too tender to endure fight.
V. 43. with staves] Speaking indefinitely, he putteth the plurall number for the singular. So Gen. 21. 7.
his gods] That is, Dagon, Baalim and Ashteroth.
V. 45. comest to me] That is, thou trustest in thy arms and weapons.
in the Name] That is, as his champion, to fight in his cause and quarrell, and trusting wholly in his promise, power and gracious assistance.
V. 46. this day will] David being assured both of his cause and calling, prophesieth of the destruction of Goliath and the Philistines army.
deliver] Hebr. shut thee up.
V. 46. a God] That is, Almighty, and willing to give his people victory over all their enemies.
V. 47. saveth not] That is, is not tied to save by these means, Psal. 44. 6.
in the Lords] To guide it by his providence, and to give victory to whom he pleaseth. Others, This battell is the LORDS, we fighting for him, and you against him; and therefore it concerneth his honour to give us victory, 2 Chron. 20. 15.
V. 48. arose] That is, prepared himself for the combate, Gen. 31. 17.
V. 49. sunk] That is, pierced deep into his forehead, as a stone speedily sinketh into the waters.
V. 50. David prevailed over the Philistine] Ecclus 47. 4. 1 Mac. 4. 30.
V. 52. Shaaraim] A town in the confines of Judah, Josh. 15. 36.
V. 55. whose son] Hence some probably gather, That this battell was sought before David lived in Sauls court, Chap. 16. 21. otherwise Saul must needs have known him. See vers. 1. Others say, That David, after his coming to court, had been some good time absent before this battell, and so was forgotten of Saul, a little time making a great change in growing youth; and that Sauls memory was spoiled with the incursions of the ill spirit, and furious fits and passions. Others, That he might know him in his person, and yet more curiously enquire after his condition and parentage, having promised to give him his daughtr. And as for Abner, being captain of the host, he might be abroad in some warlike expeditions, when David was in court, and therefore now knew him not.