Annotations Upon the Historical Books Part 2, 1 Samuel · Chapter 17
CHAP. XVII.
Verſ. 1. NOw the Philistines gathered together their armies to battell, and were gathered together at Shochoh, &c.] Shochoh was a city of Judah, as we ſee Joſh. 15.35. where alſo, as here, Azekah is mentioned as a town not farre from Shochoh: it is not expreſſed what moved the Philiſtines again to invade the land of Iſrael; but by other paſſages of the ſtory of theſe times, we may probably conceive that it was, firſt, a deſire to revenge their former ſhamefull loſſe, when Jonathan and his armour-bearer put their whole army to flight, chap 14. ſecondly, a jealouſie of their increaſing power, through many victories by Saul obtained againſt his other neighbours, chap. 14.47. So Saul took the kingdome over Iſrael, and fought againſt all his enemies on every ſide; againſt Moab, and againſt the children of Ammon, and againſt Edom, and againſt the king of Zobah, and againſt the Philiſtines, and whither ſoever he turned himſelf he vexed them: and thirdly▪ Some intelligence that might be given them of Sauls diſtemper and frantick fits, which they hoped would be no little advantage to them. But indeed the chief reaſon was, becauſe that God ſtirred them up to accompliſh that which he had intended.
Verſ. 3. And the Philiſtines ſtood on a mountain on the one ſide, and Iſrael on a mountain on the other ſide.] Thus each part kept their ground of advantage for a time, not joyning in groſſe, but maintaining ſome skirmiſhes onelyonly, as appeareth, verſ. 20.
Verſ. 4. And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philiſtines, named Goliath of Gath.] See Joſh. 11.22. We reade alſo of a brother of his that was likewiſe a mighty Gyant, 1. Chron. 20 5. And Elhanan the ſonne of Jair ſlew Lahmi, the brother of Goliath the Hittite, whoſe ſpear-staffe was like a Weavers beam.
Verſ. 5. And the weight of the coat was five thouſand ſhekels of braſſe.] To wit an hundred fifty ſix pound foure ounces or thereabout.
Verſ. 7. And one bearing a ſhield went before him.] This ſhield Goliath was to uſe when he came to fight, but in the mean ſeaſon for the greater ſtate, he had his Armour-bearer to carry it before him.
Verſ. 8. Why are you come out to ſet your battell in array.] That is, what need we bring a whole Army on each ſide to fight it out? Let us caſt all upon a ſingle combat. It is like enough the remembrance of their former loſſe, chap. 14. made them ſomewhat backward to put it to a battle, and their confidence in this Goliath, made them willing to decide all by a ſingle fight. I (ſaith he) am a Philiſtine, and you ſervants to Saul. (The expreſſion is obſervable, not Iſraelites, but ſervants to Saul by way of contempt) And therefore do you chooſe out a man from amongſt you▪ and let us two decide the controverſie.
Verſ. 11. When Saul and all Iſrael heard th…ſe words of the Philiſtine, they were diſmaid, and greatly afraid.] They could not but know that God was able to lay the huge bulk of this Gyant under the feet of the meaneſt of them; and beſides as they had a promiſe from God, that one of them ſhould chaſe a thouſand of their enemies; ſo likewiſe God had lately made good his promiſe in the late routing of the whole Army of the Philiſtines, by Jonathan and his Armour-bearer, chap. 14. And therefore it may ſeem ſtrange that all their hearts ſhould tremble thus, and be ſo out-braved by this Infidell monſter: eſpecially if we conſider that Jonathan was amongſt them, as it is evident he was, becauſe after that David had ſlain Goliath, it is ſaid that Jonathan ſtood by, and heard his father talking with him▪ chap. 18.1.) For that he alſo ſhould be afraid to enter the liſts with Goliath, who had ſo often fought the Lords battell with great courage, and had of late ſo miraculouſly put the whole Army of the Philiſtines to flight, is indeed a matter of much wonder. But for this we muſt conſider, that both faith and courage are the gifts of God, which when he with-holdeth, the beſt, even thoſe that are at other times as bold as a Lion, may ſhrink for fear. God meant now to magnifie David, and therefore he left even Jonathan himſelf to the feebleneſſe of his own ſpirit, that David might undertake what none durſt venture upon, and ſo might become famous amongſt the Iſrael of God, not a man was found that durſt accept of Goliaths challenge which he propounded twice a day, morning and evening, verſ. 16. For forty dayes together, no not after Saul had proclaimed in the camp great rewards, yea even his own daughter in marriage to him that would undertake it; all which rendred Davids courage and victory the more glorious.
Verſ. 12. Now David was the ſonne of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem Judah, whoſe name was Jeſſe, and he had eight ſonnes.] See the note upon chap. 16.10.
And the man went among men for an old man in the dayes of Saul.] And therefore though his ſonnes followed Saul to the warre, yet he ſtayed at home.
Verſ. 15. But David went and returned from Saul to feed his fathers ſheep at Bethlehem.] That we may not wonder how David was ſent to the camp by his father Jeſſe, when it was ſaid in the former chapter, that he was in Sauls Court, and made his Armour bearer: here we are told that he had before this time left the Court, and was returned to keep his fathers ſheep; the reaſon whereof might be either, firſt▪ the alienation of Sauls affection that he began little to regard him, and ſo David was deſirous to return to his own home, (we know brain-ſick men are uſually unconſtant, and ſeldome continue long in one mind) or ſecondly becauſe Saul being for a time recovered of his frantick fits, he had no more need of Davids muſick, and thereupon diſmiſſed him (and happely indeed his mind being wholly taken up with this war with the Philiſtines, he was not ſo much diſquieted with thoſe corroding jealouſies and fears, that had formerly vexed and troubled his ſpirit) or thirdly, becauſe Jeſſe having ſent his three eldeſt ſonnes to the warre; Saul was pleaſed to ſend David home, that he might be a comfort to his aged father. But however this diſpenſation of Gods providence in thus diſpoſing of David is very obſervable: for firſt, by this means David even after he was anointed to be king of Iſrael, continued a while in a mean and obſcure condition▪ keeping his fathers ſheep in Bethlehem, and following the ewes great with young, as the Pſalmiſt ſpeaketh, Pſal. 78.71. And herein was he a notable type of Chriſt, who at firſt lived in the form of a ſervant, and became of no reputation, being eſteemed the ſonne of a carpenter, born in a ſtable, deſpiſed and rejected amongſt thoſe with whom he converſed, though God had even then given him the Throne of his father David, Luk 1.32. Secondly, hereby was the faith of David concerning Samuels anointing him notably tried; when David was called to the Court to play upon his harp before Saul, and was made his Armour bearer, there ſeemed to be ſome little ground of hope, that God was then making way to his promiſed exaltation. But when afterwards he was ſent back again to keep his fathers ſheep, then that little ſpark of hope that appeared before, was ſuddenly quenched again: To which David notwithſtanding did willingly ſtoop, and was contented to wait upon God for the accompliſhment of that which he had promiſed. And thirdly, hereby the Lords effecting that which he had purpoſed without the help of man, was the more wonderfully manifeſted. One would have thought that Jeſſe, who knew of Davids anointing, ſhould have ſent David to the warre above all the reſt of his ſonnes, in hope that thereby ſome paſſage might have been opened to him for his expected exaltation: But Jeſſe never minding any ſuch thing, but keeping him at home with his ſheep, and onelyonly caſually as it were, ſending him to enquire of the welfare of his brethren; the Lords turning this to be the occaſion of Davids exaltation, did the more admirably diſcover that there was a ſpeciall hand of God in bringing this about, no man at all contributing any help thereto.
Verſ. 18. Look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.] That is, if they have laid any thing to gage for their neceſſity, redeem it out; or bring me ſome pledge or other from them, whereby I may be ſatisfied concerning their welfare.
Verſ. 19. Now Saul and they, and all the men of Iſrael were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philiſtines.] To wit, In a mountain that lay cloſe upon the valley of Elah. The body of the Iſraelites Army, lay encamped againſt the Philiſtines on a mountain, verſe 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. But from thence happily now and then they maintaind ſome skirmiſhes with the Philiſtines; and thence it is ſaid here, that they were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.
Verſ. 20. And he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to fight.] That is, to skirmiſh with the enemy, or to ſtand in battell ray ready to fight, if they could get any advantage againſt them.
Verſ. 25. The man who killeth him, the king will enrich with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his fathers houſe free in Iſrael.] That is, free from taxes, and other impoſitions, and ſo ennoble his family. With theſe words the Iſraelites did as it were encourage one another in the hearing of David to undertake the challenge of this daring Philiſtine, and by propounding the great rewards promiſed to him that ſhould undertake this ſervice; they did as it were covertly intimate that it ſeemed ſtrange to them, that no body ſhould be wonne hereby to hazard their lives in ſuch a noble exploit: But in the mean ſeaſon, even they that talked thus would not venture their own perſons, but hung off for fear no leſſe then others; but thus indeed it is uſuall with men to encourage others to undertake works of difficulty and danger, which themſelves will not come nigh in any degree.
Verſ. 26. And David ſpake to the men that ſtood by him, ſaying, What ſhall be done to the man that killeth this Philiſtine, &c.] Having heard what rewards were promiſed to the man that ſhould kill this champion of the Philiſtines, he asketh them again concerning that, not becauſe it was the great rewards propoſed that drew him on, but that by this inquiry they might perceive his inclination to undertake the combat. Doubtleſſe, that which moved David to think of undertaking the combat, was his zeal for the glory of God, and the honour of his people. It tended exceedingly to their reproach and diſhonour, that a proud uncircumciſed cai…iffe ſhould come and out-brave the whole Army of Gods people, and not a man amongſt them ſhould dare to grapple with him: And this it was that made him think of entring the liſts with him: though therefore he enquired after the rewards promiſed; yet that was onelyonly to let the ſtanders by perceive that he had ſome thoughts of underſtanding the combat: for it was to vindicate the honour of God and his people, that he hearkned to the motion of fighting; and ſo much his words do indeed plainly import, what ſhall be done unto the man that taketh away the reproach from Iſrael? For who is this uncircumciſed Philistine, that he ſhould defie the Armies of the living God?
Verſ. 28. Why camest thou down hither, and with whom hast thou left thoſe few ſheep in the wilderneſſe?] Eliab Davids elder brother, being filled with envy againſt him, as diſdaining that he ſhould think of fighting with that Giant, with whom, neither himſelf nor any other in the army durſt encounter; brake out into theſe words of reproch and ſcorn, twitting him with his ſheep that he had left in the wilderneſſe; with whom, ſaith he, haſt thou left thoſe few ſheep in the wilderneſſe? As intimat…ng that he was fitter to return to his ſheep-hook, and his harp again, then to intermeddle with martiall affairs, and upbraiding him with arrogance and ambition, I know thy pride, and the naughtineſſe of thine heart; for thou art come down, that thou mighteſt ſee the battell: as if he ſhould have ſaid, ſcorning to follow that imployment which belongs to thee, to wit, the keeping of our fathers ſheep, nothing will ſerve thy turn but to be a ſouldier, and therefore art thou come hither, to ſee if by any means thou canſt wind in thy ſelf, to ſerve here in the army.
Verſ. 29. And David ſaid, What have I now done? Is there not a cauſe?] That is, was there not a juſt cauſe for my coming hither? Did not my father ſend me? And is there not juſt cauſe of ſpeaking that which I have ſpoken? Is it not a ſhame that this wretch ſhould thus out-face the armies of Iſrael, and no body ſhould dare to undertake him?
Verſ. 34. And there came a Lion, and a Beare, &c.] That is, there came a Lion at one time, and a Beare at another time; for it cannot be meant that they came both together, and together took one kid out of the flock: and therefore alſo in the next words he ſpeaks of his killing them ſeverally; I went out after him, and ſmote him, &c. To wit, the Lion at one time, and the Beare at another.
Verſ. 35. And when he aroſe, I took him by the beard, &c.] That is, by his nether jaw, or the hair about his jaw. Had he killed him caſually, by ſhooting, or caſting any thing at him it had not been ſo great a matter; but thus to kill him was an act indeed of admirable courage.
Verſ. 37. And Saul ſaid unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.] It may ſeem ſtrange that Saul ſhould yield to let David enter the liſts with Goliath, conſidering how unequall the match was in the eye of reaſon, and that Goliath had propounded this as a condition in his challenge, that if he vanquiſhed the man that fought with him, then the Iſraelites ſhould be for ever ſervants to the Philiſtines: but doubtleſſe however at firſt he ſleighted Davids proffer, and told him that he was every way unfit to grapple with ſuch an adverſary, verſ. 33. Yet when he had heard Davids courage and reſolution, and confidence in Gods help, and the relation of theſe two miraculous exploits of his, againſt the Lion and the Beare, this wrought in him ſome kind of faint hope; yea perhaps ſome temporary faith, that God would miraculouſly aſſiſt him, and ſo he gave him liberty, and wiſhed him good ſpeed.
Verſ. 38. And Saul armed David with his armour, &c.] That is, with armour out of his own armoury; for it is not likely that the armour which Saul uſed to wear could fit David.
Verſ. 39. And David ſaid unto Saul, I cannot go with theſe; for I have not proved them.] That is, I have not been uſed to wear ſuch arms, and ſo they are a burden to me.
Verſ. 40. And he took his ſtaffe in his hand, and choſe him five ſmooth ſtones out of the brook, &c.] The ſleighter the means were, whereby David overcame this Giant, the more evident it was, that the victory was of God. And thus too the means whereby Chriſt overcame Sathan, were not likely in the eye of reaſon to vanquiſh ſuch an adverſary; for he overcame him by the croſſe, death, &c. Yea, this was indeed to kill that Goliath with his own ſword: Heb. 2.14. That through death he might deſtroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.
Verſ. 42. And when the Philistine looked about and ſaw David, he diſdained him: For he was but a youth, and ruddy, &c.] That is, he had not the countenance of a ſouldier, it was rather amiable then terrible.
Verſ. 43. And the Philiſtine curſed David, by his Gods.] That is, he wiſhed ſome miſchief or evil might be inflicted on him by his idol-god, to wit, that Dagon might deſtroy him, or ſome other ſuch like imprecation.
Verſ. 45. But I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Iſrael, whom thou haſt defied.] He tells him that he had defied the Lord of hoſts, becauſe he had defied the Iſraelites his people: for God alwayes takes any wrong done to them, as done to himſelf; and by ſaying that he came againſt Goliath, in the name of the Lord of hoſts, he meant that he came againſt him to vindicate the diſhonour that he had done to the Lord, and that by warrant from God, and in the aſſured confidence of his aid and aſſiſtance, whence is that which he addes, verſ. 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 aire, and to the wild beaſts of the earth: that all the earth may know that there is a God in Iſrael.
Verſ. 47. And all this aſſembly ſhall know, that the Lord ſaveth not with ſword and ſpear.] That is, that he can ſave without theſe, and is not tied to ſuch outward means.
Verſ. 49. And ſmote the Philiſtine in his forehead, that the ſtone ſunk into his forehead, &c.] Either therefore the ſtone which David ſlung was caſt with ſuch extraordinary force, through the ſpeciall aſſiſtance of God, that it went through his helmet of braſſe, and ſo into his fore-head: or elſe the Philiſtine, as not fearing any thing which David could do, never pulled down his helmet over his face, but went with his face open to fight with David: however, the very guiding of the ſtone ſo directly to the forehead of this gyant, was doubtleſſe of God: for though it was uſuall with the Iſraelites to be able to ſling ſtones at an hairs breadth, Judg. 20.16. Among all theſe people, there were ſeven hundred choſen men left-handed, every one could ſling stones at an hairs breadth, and not miſſe: yet the mark was then fixed; and Goliaths forehead, though it were a fairer mark, yet it was leſſe eaſie to be hit, becauſe he was ſtirring; onelyonly God guided the ſtone, and ſo lodged it in the forehead of this blaſpheming Miſcreant.
Verſ. 51. And when the Philistines ſaw their champion was dead, they fled.] God ſtriking them with a ſecret terrour; for elſe little might they have regarded the loſſe of Goliath, being ſo ſtrong as they were; nor the promiſe which he had made verſ. 9. that the Philiſtines ſhould be ſervants to the Iſraelites, in caſe their Champion ſhould foil and kill him.
Verſ. 52. And the wounded of the Philiſtines, fell down by the way to Shaaraim.] A town in the borders of Judah, Joſh. 15.36.
Verſ. 54. And David took the head of the Philiſtine and brought it to Jeruſalem.] For though the ſtrong hold of Sion was as yet in the poſſeſſion of the Jebuſites, and ſo continued till David took it from them when he came to be king, 2. Sam. 5.7. Yet the city of Jeruſalem it ſelf was long before this in the poſſeſſion of the Iſraelites, Judges 1.8, The children of Judah had fought againſt Jeruſalem and had taken it. And therefore the Iſraelites returning now in triumph from the ſlaughter of the Philiſtines, David carried the head of this Gyant in triumph with him, and at laſt laid it up in Jeruſalem as a monument of this glorious victory: The rather perhaps chooſing to carry it to Jeruſalem, that the Jebuſites that hitherto kept that ſtrong hold there might be terrified with this ſight.
But he put his Armour in his tent.] This is meant either of the tent which David afterwards provided for the Ark of God, 1. Chron. 15.1. and therefore called his tent. Or elſe, rather it is meant of his own private tent, where it ſeems, he kept all Goliahs armour for a time; though afterward it is evident that his ſword was laid up in the Tabernacle of the Lord at Nob, Chap. 21.9. And the Prieſt ſaid, The ſword of Goliath the Philiſtine whom thou ſleweſt in the valley of Elah, behold it is wrapt up in a cloth behind the Ephod.
Verſ. 55. He ſaid unto Abner captain of the hoſt, Abner, whoſe ſonne is this youth?] This may well ſeem ſtrange, conſidering what is ſaid before concerning Saul and David, chap. 16.21. And David came to Saul, and ſtood before him, and he loved him greatly; and he became his armour bearer. And indeed ſome Expoſitours do certainly hereupon conclude, that there is here a tranſpoſition of the hiſtory, and that theſe things related in this chapter were done before that which is related in the foregoing chapter, concerning Sauls ſending for David to play before him, &c. But yet it is not ſafe to change the order of the hiſtory without neceſſary cauſe, and that, here I find not. For, notwithſtanding all that had formerly paſſed between Saul and David: how this might be that Saul ſhould not now know David we may well enough conceive, if we conſider, Firſt, That the countenance of young men when they grow toward ripeneſſe of years, and begin to have hair on their faces, many times doth much alter in a little while. Secondly, That great Perſonages do take little notice of their meaner ſervants, and therefore eaſily forget them. Thirdly, That Saul was troubled with melancholly and frantick fits, and ſuch men will often forget thoſe that formerly they have ſeemed much to reſpect. For all this conſidered, it needs not ſeem impoſſible that Saul ſhould before this greatly love David, (to wit, according to the reſpect which muſitians or ſervants find with Princes) and appoint him to be one of thoſe that ſometimes carried his ſheild before him; and yet having afterwards ſent him home to his father, ſhould not know him when he came to the camp in other apparell and with another countenance to viſit his brethren. And as for Abner being a martiall man and often abroad, he might in thoſe times take little notice of David.