Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4, Biblical commentary 1 · 1 Samuel · Chapter 17
CHAP. XVII.
THen the Philistims gathered themselves together to battel in Shochoh, which belonged V. 1.to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah in Ephes-Dammim. Of Shochoh and Azekah, see Josh. 15. 32. and Shochoh is said to have belonged to Judah, to distinguish it from that on the other side of Jordan, spoken of, Gen. 34. For these words, in Ephes-Dammim, the Vulg. Latine hath, in finibus Dommim. And Saul, with the children of Israel, pitched by the valley of Elah; the Vulg. Latine, in valle terebinthi, taking the word for an appellative; and Iunius, ad convallem querceti. For the places in particular to inquire into them, is not materiall, but here the battail being set in array on both sides, upon two opposite mountaines, a valley being between, a Champion of the Philistims, V. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. &c.Goliah by name, came downe into the valley, and challenged any one of all the men of Israel to fight with him, and he is described by his stature, armour, and weapons, and hee said, I defie the host of Israel this day. For the cause of this warre made by the Philistims, wee read nothing, but it may easily bee Peter Martyr.conjectured, that they hearing Saul the King to bee so distracted and unfit for warre, tooke this opportunity. For these words, [A champion of the Philistims,] Hebr. are these foreign Ish habenaim, a man between two, whereupon a question is made, why this is said of him? To this Willet answereth, Willet.that most understand it between the two Armies, but this cannot bee, because the word armies is of the feminine gender, but this of the masculine, and because hee is said immediately to have come out of the Philistims campe. Pellican, Pellican.that hee was as big as two, but this hee also rejecteth, because the description of his bigness followeth in the next words. Iunius, duellator, the Sept. foreign Iunius.a champion, or a mighty man, according to our translation, and this hee approveth. But I rather approve of the common reading, a man between them both, vir intermedius, as Peter Martyr hath it, that is, between the Israelites and Peter Martyr.the Philistims, into the valley; and in the next words it is shewed, to what side he belonged. The Vulg. Latine rendereth it spurius, but upon what ground I know not, and therfore even Lyra leaving this reading, saith, it is Hebr. vir intermedius, Lyra.and such an one must needs bee fortis & audax, who being confident in his owne strength, goeth out before his Army ready to fight against any man that should come against him from the contrary army. Whose height was six cubits and a span. A cubit is commonly held to bee a foot and halfe, but according to some, saith Lyra, two foot. But taking a cubit for a foot and half, he was higher then any other man by the third part and more, because foure cubits is the stature of a man, but hee was six and a span. Wherefore he was Peter Martyr.a Giant, many of which were found in the land of Canaan, at the Israelites first comming thither, but they were slaine by Joshua and his men, onelyonly Iosh. 11. 21, 22some remained still in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod, and accordingly it is said, that Goliab was of Gath. Giants have always been noted to be most wicked, and contemners of God, wherefore by the Ethnicks they are called foreign and foreign, they are described by the Poets by snake-like feet, and distorted thighs, and Josephus thinketh, that they were begotten of incubi devils. They are set forth in holy Scripture by divers names, sometime by this name, Rephaim, taken from death, because men are ready to dye for feare when they see them; sometime by the name Nephalim, from falling down before them; sometime by the name Anakim, signifying chaines, because they went sumptuously adorned; and sometime Emim, from feare and terrour which they struck into the beholders.
Hee had an helmet of brasse upon his head. Junius, for brasse, hath it, steele, V. 5. Iunius. Lyra.of which helmets used to bee made; and Lyra saith, the word rendred brasse, signifieth any kinde of mettle, and hee thinketh iron to bee meant hereby; but that of steele is rather to bee preferred. His coat was of Male, of 5000 shekels weight: This is cast up by one, counting a shekel for halfe an ounce, to Willet.bee 156 pound weight, and 4 ounces; his speares head weighed 600 shekels of iron, that is, 18 pound and 3 quarters, unto which the other parts of his armour being added, could not amount together to lesse then 200 pound weight, a great burthen for another strong man to beare, yet hee could with all this goe and fight, which shewed his wonderfull great strength, that seeing how Note. easily hee was brought to destruction notwithstanding, all men might learne not to trust to humane strength, how great soever it be.
And hee had greaves of brasse upon his legs, and a target of brasse betweene his V. 6.shoulders: the Vulg. Latine hath, boots of brasse upon his thighs, and a target of brasse covered his shoulders. Junius, bosen of steele upon his feet. The word foreign of which foreign here used commeth, doth signifie a forehead, it signifieth then any thing fastened on before upon his legs for defence. Peter Martyr rendreth it plates of brasse. Pagnin, either plates or boots; the other word rendred legs, properly signifieth feet: the meaning is, that hee was substantially armed from top to toe. For these words, a target of brasse betweene his shoulders, which reading most doe follow, it seemeth not so apt, because v. 7. one bearing a target or shield of brasse is said to goe before him. The Chald. therefore best rendreth it a speare, and likewise Josephus, bearing a speare between his shoulders, for so the word foreign here used, is taken, Iosh. 8. 17. Iob 41. 19. Ier. 6. 23. Whereas another word foreign is here used for a speare, and both together, v. 45. which sheweth, that not one and the same thing, but divers things are set forth by these two words, It is answered, that by this first was meant a truncheon speare, which hee carryed upon his shoulder, and by the other a javelin, which hee had in his hand, which is the more probable, because v. 45. David speaketh of both these, and a sword, wherewith hee saith Goliah came against him, intimating that they were none of them for defence, but all instruments to fight withall, such as a shield is not. Lyra also saith, that this was no shield, but rather according to the Hebrew, a plate of brasse on each side of his helmet, hanging over with a sharpe end to defend the junctures of his arms upon his shoulders: the shield carryed by the armour-bearer, was delivered to him when he came to sight.
Goliah thus armed, challengeth the men of Israel, offering this condition, if V. 8, 9.any one of them were able to overcome him, then the Philistims should become their servants, but contrariwise they should serve the Philistims; and this challenge he came and made forty dayes together, v. 16. In challenging them, he saith, Am not I a Philistim? Vatablus, Am not I that Philistim? that is, who Vatablus. Jonathas Syrus.am famous for many exploits done amongst you. Ionathas Syrus thinketh, that it was hee that had killed Eli's sonnes, and taken the Arke, but the time doth not agree, for if hee had been a man of warre then, when Samuel was a childe, hee would now in Samuel's old age have been too old to enter into this duell. Upon this duell into which David entred, at the challenge of Goliah, a question is made, whether duells bee lawfull? and it is generally Qu. answered, that they are not lawfull: 1 Because the challenge is made out of pride and vain-glory. 2. Because to enter into a duell is to tempt God, and it is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God, as in the Decrees of Nicolas 1. they who follow Monomachies doe tempt God. And in the book of Decrees, it is said, such are lifted up with pride, and boast themselves of their Nicola. Monomachiam sectantes tentam Deum. Decree. part: 2. Caus: 2. qu c: 22.strength. In the Lateran Councell, besides this, three reasons more are yeelded. 1 Champions are sometimes hired to fight, and so men set their lives to sale for money. 2 They fight and die in a rage and malice of one against another. 3 Hee that killeth having no warrant from God so to doe, is a murtherer. From this yet it seemeth, that of old a duell hath been held lawfull, and therefore to decide the question arising between two in a matter of moment, the one accusing, the other standing upon his justification, a duell hath often been by Christian Kings and Judges allowed, but by the Doctors of the Church condemned, because the onelyonly lawfull way, as Stephanus hath it, to judge by, Stephan: in cap: Consuluisti ii, qu. 5. Spontanea confessione vel testium approbatione delicta concessa sunt vestro regimini judicari: occulta autem & incognita illi sunt relinquenda &c.is either by a voluntary confession of the offender, or the testimony of witnesses; for things hidden and unknowne, are to bee left unto him, who onelyonly knoweth the hearts of men. To try men then by a duell, is to goe from the ordinary lawfull way, and to take a way unlawfull, and so to doe evill, and wee must not doe evill that good may come of it. Moreover, it may bee very unequall, hee that is worthy to bee condemned, being strongest or most expert in the use of his weapon, and the innocent weakest and most inexpert. This then is no way of tryall to bee tolerated amongst Christians, and therefore it is now well left. And much more intolerable is the practice of those, who upon any offence will challenge others to a duell in fury and malice to bee revenged upon them, for vengeance is mine, saith God, and I will repay it, therefore avenge not your selves. The Devill who delighteth in blood, is the instigator to this duell, and thus at his pleasure taketh two at once in his net, the murtherer by his sinne of murther, and the murthered by his sinne of hatred, wherein hee dyed. But for this duell between David and Goliah, it was doubtlesse by a singular instinct from God, to glorifie his power the more, and to make David the more famous, and therefore no example is to bee taken hereby.
Now David was the sonne of that Ephratbite of Bethlehem Judah; whose name V. 12.was Jesse, who had eight sonnes, and went for an old man in the dayes of Saul. Jesse is called an Eprathite, because Bethlehem had also the name of Ephrata: Of Gen. 48. 7.his eight sonnes, see before, Chap. 16. 10. Hebr. hee was old going amongst men, which is spoken to shew, that he went not now to the warres for his age. But V. 13, 14. V. 15.his three eldest sonnes went; as for David the youngest, hee had returned again before this from Saul, to seed his fathers sheep; which is spoken because the history left David with Saul, as being entertained by him to serve him. Lest any man should marvaile then, how hee could now bee at home with his father to bee sent to his brothren by him, as followeth, his dismisse from Saul is here mentioned. And it is most probable, that Saul having now warlike employment to busie his minde about, was not troubled with his former melancholick Pellican. Josephus.fits, and therefore hee sent David home to bee a comfort to his aged father, contenting himselfe with his three other sonnes that followed him. This shewed the great humility of David, in that having lived delicately at the Note. Court, hee was content to returne againe to a shepheards life, but thus also did Moses, after 40 yeares spent in Pharaohs Court, hee lived a shepheard in the land of Madian 40 yeares. And David comming thus to sight with, and to Note. overcome Goliah, when he had not been used to feats of armes; the victory was the more admirable.
The challenge of Goliab, and his defying of Gods host, having continued V. 17.40 dayes, David is sent to the host to carry some provision to his brethren and their Captaine. Peter Martyr condemneth Saul being of so strong a body, and P. Martyr.the men of valour about him, as wanting all love and zeale to God, for that they could endure to heare God blasphemed and railed upon twice a day so long a time, and yet none of them would descend to fight in this quarrell. But thus it is commonly with men, they are hot in their owne causes, but cold Note. in Gods, wherefore God provided himselfe a Champion extraordinary, even David, the most unlikely of them all, and by him chastised the insolency of that proud Philistims.
The provision carryed by David, was an Ephah of parched corne, ten V. 17, 18.loaves, and ten cheeses sent to the Captain, and Ishai biddeth him see how they did, and take their pledge. For parched corne, Lyra hath, sodden wheat, but the word foreign signifieth tostum, parched; an Ephah was ten homers, and an Exod. 16.homer as much as would suffice a man for a day. For these words, see how thy brethren fare and take their pledge, the Vulg. Latine hath it, cum quibus ordinari sunt, but the word is foreign their pledge, and so the word is used, Gen. 38. 17. some thinke, that the meaning may bee, if they had laid any thing to pawne having lyen there so long, and their victualls being spent, whereby they Septuag.might be inforced to pawne some of their apparell for food, hee should redeem it: some, take a token, whereby thou maist safely passe and repasse in the army: Pellican. Junius. Chald. Paraphr.some, bring a token from them in signe of their welfare; the Chaldee, bring their welfare. I preferre that of Pellican, that for his more secure passing amongst such a multitude of souldiers with that provision which he carryed, hee should goe first and bring some token from them, before that hee went into the Army with it, that it being brought to him that kept the carriages, when they should at night come to require of him this corne and bread, they might bee delivered to them by that token, and therefore v. 22. it is said, that hee left it with the keeper of the Carriages at the trench, and ran and saluted his brethren. For Ishai might well conceive that his sonnes might bee busie in the warre, and so could not for the present take and bestow the provision sent them in their tent, wherefore he directed David in this course, that hee might returne with the more expedition, and not bee forced to wait their leisure. Comestor saith, that their pledge was a bill of divorce to their wives, for the manner was, when men went to warre, to give their wives bills of divorce, that if they tarryed out three yeares they might marry againe to whom they would, because they might happily be taken by their enemies and carryed away.
The place, where David came unto his brethren, is said to be the valley of V. 19.Elah, where the Army of Israel was fighting with the Philistims: of this valley, see before v. 2. by which they are said to have pitched upon a mountaine, but here they were fighting in this valley, which is not to bee understood, as if the fight were now begun, but that they were descended upon some part of the valley ready to fight, as is shewed more fully, v. 20. 21. Yet Comestor saith that they had some skirmishing together every day.
David, as his father commanded him, riseth betimes and cometh to the Army, V. 20, 21. V. 22, 23. V. 24, 25. V. 26, 27.and leaving his provision with a keeper, goeth to his brethren, and whilst he was talking with them, Goliab came forth againe and spake as at other times, which David hearing, and seeing the feare that all men were in, he desired to know what should be done to him, that could kill him, speaking, as if there were no cause, why they should be so afraid of an uncircumcised railer. They tell him, that Saul would give him great riches, and his daughter to wife, and make his fathers house free in Israel. For the place, to which David came, where hee left his carriage, before that hee went into the Army, it is called foreign, by the Vulgar Latin, Magalah, but the same word Ch. 26. 5. is by the same interpreter rendred, a tent. Ʋatablus and the Chalde render it the Vatablus. Chalde Arias. Peter Martyr. Iunius. Septuagint.place of tents, Arias Montanus, as our Transl. the trench, Junius, plaustorum ambitum, because hagalah signifieth a cart, the Sept. to the roundnesse or compasse, and Ch. 26. 5. a cart: most aptly hereby may be understood the place of carts, set on the outside of the Army for a defence unto it. For the rewards promised, they served to whet on some to this enterprize, the making of his fathers house free was meant from taxes and impositions, so Osiander, and the Osiander. Chalde. Iunius.advancing of it to the state of the Nobility, as Iunius and the Chalde, the Vulgar Latin, he will make his fathers house without tribute. Now David was not moved, as Chrysost. thinketh, and Peter Martyr, with these rewards Chrysost. Hom. 20. ad Rom.but for the glory of God and the love of his people, whom Goliah had so proudly defyed, because when hee came before Saul, hee made no mention or pact about this reward. Whereas then hee demanded what should bee done to the killer of Goliah, it is to bee held, that hee asked this, that hee might take occasion to extenuate the exploit in him, that should doe it, for there should not need to have any such rewards propounded, seeing that Philistims power was not so great, but that a meane man might overcome him, seeing he had railed upon the host of the living God, and so had laid himselfe open to Gods judgements through his blasphemies.
Eliab David's eldest brother hearing him speake so, did sharply reprove him, as being proud and arrogant, but David answered, What have I now done, is V. 28, 29.there not a cause? Comestor here excuseth Eliab, saying that he spake thus, feareing, Schol. Histor.lest David adventuring to goe against Goliah should bee slaine. But his words doe plainely shew, that hee spake thus out of envy: for David had once beene at the court already and gotten himselfe great praise of all about the King, which hee being his elder brother doubtlesse greatly envyed, for that the youngest was so preferred and hee neglected, and now after that hee had beene sent home to keepe sheep, seeing him to come to the Army, and so busie in inquiring about the Gyant, what should be given to him, that killed him, he feared, that he would adventure to goe against him and so hee might happily come to greater preferment, and far overtop him and all the rest of his brethren, and this made him to speake so bitterly against him. And herein David was a figure of our Lord, who did nothing worthy of reproofe, as David did not, but came at his fathers command and in love to his brethren, and yet by his brethren the Jewes was most bitterly spoken against, and envyed of them. For these words, is there not a cause? Hebr. is strictly rendred, as by the Vulgar Peter Martyr.Latin, and Peter Martyr, is it not a word? that is, saith Comestor, there is nothing Schol. Histor.done, for which thou shouldest be so angry, I have but onelyonly spoken and inquired of the matter, that I might carry my father word; so likewise Lyra. But Lyra.because foreign signifyeth a matter or businesse, as well as a word, Iunius better expoundeth it, is there not businesse, about which I am come to the campe, and not as thou chargest mee, upon pride?
David notwithstanding Eliabs sharpe reproofe inquireth of others touching V. 30, 31. V. 32, 33. V. 34, 35. V. 36.the same thing, so that it was told Saul what David had said, and hee sent for him, and then David offered to goe and fight with the Philistim, and when Saul said, that hee was notable to goe against him, David replyed that in keeping his fathers sheep a Lyon came to the flocke and a Beare, & he killed both the one and the other, wherefore hee doubted not, but this uncircumcised Philistim should be as one of them. Hee had 3. grounds of his confidence. 1. By the Spirit of God comming upon him hee had already done as great exploits. 2. The Philistim was uncircumcised, he circumcised, and so was within the Covenant of Grace and under Gods protection, but Goliab not. 3. He had railed Peter Martyr.upon the Armies of the living God, and so had laid himselfe open to Gods judgements, thus Peter Martyr. For it is no good ground for a man to put himselfe upon danger, because he hath beene formerly delivered from as great dangers, except there be somewhat else to trust unto, viz. a speciall assurance from God of escaping in that particular case, and this Davids words imply, that he had by the Spirit, whereby hee was stirred up: Wee may indeed and ought to bee confident in generall upon former experiments, of future deliverances, as the Apostle was, who saith, hee hath delivered us; and doth deliver, 2 Cor. 1. 10.and wee trust, that hee will yet hereafter deliver us, but for any particular wee may not upon any such trust adventure upon it, unlesse besides former experience, wee have 1. a good cause, 2. a calling from God, 3. some word of God to trust unto in that particular, which hee onelyonly hath in whom the Spirit extraordinarly worketh such a faith; and all these David had. His cause was good, hee had a calling, because hee was anointed to bee Captaine over Gods people, and lastly he had the inward motion of the Spirit, and a warrant from experience of the Spirits assistance in the like dangerous interprizes before. The Spirit, which came upon him carryed him to this duel, which might seeme most dangerous, and how could his enterprize then but be lawfull, and his victory certaine? Now because he speaketh of the uncircumcision of Goliah, as a maine ground of his confidence, implying the great advantage of his own circumcision, Note. Note, that the circumcised which are now the baptized, may safely trust in God in all times of perill as being within the Covenant, but not the circumcised in the flesh onelyonly, because then any Israelite might have had the like confidence, Rom. 2. 29. 1 Pet. 3. 21. 1 Ioh. 5. 4. V. 37. P. Martyr.but the circumcised in spirit, and the baptized with a conscience purifyed by faith, for faith is our victory over the world.
Saul hearing David speake thus bade him goe, and said, The Lord be with thee, wherein hee did not rashly or ill, as some charge him, but well and wisely, perceiving by that which David had said, that hee was not without the Spirit of all power, and so not unlikely to prevaile, according to others, and to expresse Gennevus.his great desire, that hee might prevaile for his owne and the peoples deliverance out of this great danger, hee prayeth earnestly for his good successe, although his prayer was of no force, because hee was wicked and wanted Faith.
Then Saul caused David to put on his Armour and an Helmet of Steele, upon his V. 38.head, &c. The word rendred Armour, Hebr. is foreign signifying a garment, wherefore the Vulgar Latin hath it, his owne garments, and likewise Peter Martyr, Arias, &c. and thus the same word is taken, Ch. 18. 4. Ionathan gave David his garments even to his sword and his bow. And therefore this reading is rather to bee followed, he gave him his Souldiers garments, and thereupon put a coate of male, &c. for Sauls armour would not have fitted David, because the stature of Saul was so great above all other men. They which are for armour meant here, will either have Davids owne armour and not Sauls meant, or some armour out of Sauls armory. But that armour is not meant, appeareth, because he put upon him a coate of male to cover his body, as Goliah had, and that was armour enough for him to beare, neither doe any use to weare other steele armour under that, but some coate of buffe, which is more light.
Now when David had put these on and tried to goe, he turned againe and V. 39.put them off, saying that he could not goe with them, because he had not beene accustomed unto them. If it shall seeme strange, that David should speake thus, seing he was before this made Sauls Armour-bearer; It is answered, that although he had this place assigned to him, yet for so much as Saul had not after that gone out to warre till this time, and David was dismissed againe to a Osiander.Shepheards life, he never yet executed that office, and so the going forth in armour was a thing unusuall to him, and therefore he put it off, as being rather a hinderance then a furtherance unto him in this his combat. And this was not done without a singular providence of God, that the victory might be ascribed unto God onelyonly, and not unto any warlike preparation made on Davids part.
And David tooke his staffe in his hand, and five smooth stones, and put them in a shepheards V. 40.bagge, &c. These things might seeme to be of little force to enter a Duell withall, against so mighty a Giant, but by things contemptible and vile amongst men, God would hereby shew, that he would confound the mighty. David going but thus meanely appointed, but armed with confidence in God was better armed then Goliah. Thus Moses went armed to subdue Pharaoh and the Aegyptians, and prevailed, for he carryed nothing but his rod or staffe in his hand. And yet this kinde of fight was not unusuall amongst the Hebrewes, who being kept from iron weapons by the Philistims, exercised themselves in throwing of stones out of slings, and many amongst them grew so expert herein, that they could throw at an haires breadth and not misse, as it is said of 700 men of the tribe of Benjamin.
David drawing neare to the Philistim, he also drew neare to him, but seeing Iudg. 20. 16. V. 41.him, he disdained him and cursed and spake vauntingly unto him, that he would give his flesh to be meat to the fowles and beasts: but David nothing terrified telleth him, that he came in the name of the Lord who would deliver Goliah into his hands &c. whereas Goliah seeing David come with a staffe saith unto him, am I a dogge, Josephus saith, that he answered, yea and worse then a Josephus.dogge, and hereupon Goliah being enraged cursed him &c. But by the sacred history David replyed nothing till he had done speaking. For Davids foretelling, that Goliah should be delivered into his hands, that he would cut off his head, and give his carkasse to the fowles and beasts, and likewise the carkasses of the Philistims, all this he spake not rashly to requite Goliah with such threatnings, Peter Martyr.as he had used, but by the spirit of Prophecy, whereby he knew it should be so. 1. Because Goliah had railed upon Gods Armies, with whose glory it stood not to suffer such blasphemy to goe unpunished, or not to maintaine the people of Israel to be his peculiar people, amongst whom his Tabernacle and service was. 2. Because Goliah trusted to his owne strength, his sword and his speare, therefore by his confusion God could not but teach, that such are vaine things to save a man, but trusting in God alone of the greatest force and power.
Then the Philistim comming towards David he ran to meete him, and slung V. 48, 49.a stone out of his sling, which pierced his forehead, so as that he fell downe dead &c. David made haste, saith Lyra, that he might sling at Goliah before he Lyra.came too neare him, because a distance is necessary in slinging of a stone to make it the more forcible. If it shall seeme incredible that the head of Goliah should be pierced with a stone when as he had on an helmet of steele covering both head and forehead, I will not answer as Lyra saith some doe, that the steele gave way miraculously, and therefore as Hugo saith, some fabulously teach, that the sharpe stone for circumcision was after this left, and a sharpe knife used; but that his forehead was bare: but for David with the first stone throwing to hit it, when Goliah was in motion, and with such force, that the stone sunke into his head, this was not done without a supernaturall strength, whereby Davids arme was strengthened, and extraordinary direction of him that never erreth.
Mystically by Goliah understand the Devill; by David, Christ who as David The Mystery.was sent to his brethren the Jewes, but envyed by them. And as David going against Goliah was contemptible both for the smallnesse of his body in comparison of Goliah's, and because he went with a staffe, so unlikely a weapon to prevaile with, so Christ was despised for a Saviour, as beeing poore and abject, and having no secular strength, yet he only with his Crosse represented by Davids staffe prevailed, and so the faithfull, as the Armies of the living God, are delivered, who before by the Devill Goliah were continually put in great feare. For stretching this allegory further, as it is stretched by some, who by his putting off Hugo Card. 5. lapidessignant haec 5. cognitionem sui, dolorem amissi, pudorem commissi, timorem supplicii, spem aeterni gaudi…, his prosternitur Goliah spirit. Mat. 4.of Sauls Armour understand Christs putting off of the heavy yoake of the law of Ceremonies, and by his taking 5 stones, Christs taking the 5 bookes of Moses, and then one to set forth unity, and his wounding him in the forehead, because it was not fenced with crossing and the like, I leave them to their Authors as meere streinings and unprofitable curiosities. If in the five stones there be any mysterie, we may with Lyra hold the five wounds of Christ to be rather set forth hereby morally, when we are to encounter with Satan we must be armed with faith onelyonly in Christs death, and with the sword of the word, wherewith he seeketh to slay us by wresting it, we must cut off his head, that is, his temptations, as Christ did. Otherwise Hugo saith, by Goliahs sword we Hugo Cardin.may understand the enemies of Christ, but now converted, for by such God defendeth his, and confoundeth Satan, as by Paul converted: by the sling and stone the two things, whereby Christ prevailed, preaching and working. Whereas onelyonly one stone was slung, but by one glosse three stones figuring out Christs three times repelling of the Devils temptations by scripture, he saith it may be thought that David did sling three, but one onelyonly hit him in the forehead. We may note in that Goliah was slaine with his owne sword, that the thing whereby the wicked thinke to destroy others is oft times by Gods just judgement turned to their owne destruction, as Hamans wicked plot against the Jewes, and the Canaanitish Kings against Gibeon &c.
The Philistims champion being thus slaine, they flee, and the Israelites pursue V. 51. 52.them, so that many fall before them, after which they returne and spoil their Tents; then David takes the spoile that properly belonged to him, the armour of Goliah, and layeth it up in his Tent, and his head he put in Hierusalem. V. 53. 54. Lyra.This last saith Lyra, is not to be understood, as now done, but afterwards when David raigned in Hierusalem, to terrifie the Jebusites, who held the fort of Zion, that they might be moved through feare of being overcome by him, as Goliah was, to leave it, and not trust to the strength thereof, so likewise Hugo Cardin. Schol. Histor.Hugo and the Ordin. Gloss. and Comestor saith, he put the head and armour first in his owne Tent, and afterwards in Hierusalem, and in the Tabernacle there, and Peter Martyr saith, it is spoken by a Prolepsis, for it was done afterwards, Peter Martyr.that the people seing these monuments of Davids miraculous victory might praise God, and trust in his helpe against their most potent enemies. But because ch. 21. we read of Goliah his sword lying at Nob in the custody of the High-priest, a question ariseth, how he can be said to have put his armour in his Tent? David Kimhi answereth, that his armour was kept by David, but Qu. his sword was layed up in the Tabernacle at Nob, but the word foreign signifieth both armour and weapons, wherefore others say, that by his Tabernacle is Iunius. Pellican 2 Sam. 6. 17. 1 Chron: 15. 1.meant the Tabernacle, which he afterwards made for the Lord, wherein he placed the Arke, which was called his, because he made it, this then is spoken of a thing done afterwards and not presently, all for the present being put in the Tabernacle at Nob: or rather by his tent understand the tent of his brethren, which was his in common with them, whilest he was at the Campe, his armour falling to David, as victorer he tooke and bestowed for his owne use; his sword was put in the Tabernacle, as a monument of this victory. Whereas some will have Jerusi and Nob to be all one, this cannot be, because Esa. 10. 32. they are spoken of, as two distinct places, and Nebem. 11. For that of carrying his head afterwards to Hierusalem, and setting it up there, that the Jebusites seeing it might be terrified, although it be commonly received, I see no ground for it, and therefore doe rather thinke, that it was done immediately, being set up upon some high turret, where all men might see it: but for his armour, he laid it up afterwards in the Tabernacle, which he made, and for the present in the Tabernacle at Nob, which then was, for he came as a stranger into the Army and had no tent there, and if it shall be thought that his tent or habitation at Bethlehem, might be meant, that cannot be, because after this he went no more home to his fathers house, but aboad with Saul. If here shall seeme to be any colour for the laying up of holy reliques in Churches, to see and to do reverence, to which the people should in devotion resort, truly there is none, for, 1. no man will say, that Goliahs armour was an holy relique, but onelyonly a monument of the victory ascribed unto God by laying them up in his house, as being gotten by his power. 2. None came to worship these monuments. 3. They were truly such, as men tooke them to be, but in many reliques there is great delusion, as in pieces of the Crosse, which if they were all brought together, would be as much, as all the Wood and Timber of Noahs Arke, as Peter Martyr conjectureth.Peter Martyr.
Here is commemorated, how Saul enquired of Abner, when David went out V. 55.to fight with Goliah, whose sonne he was, Abner answered, As thy soule liveth, I cannot tell, but now he bringeth him to Saul with the head of Goliah in his hand, and so he learneth of David himselfe, whose sonne he was. He made this diligent enquiry, saith Lyra, because he had promised to give him his daughter, Lyra.that he might understand, whether he came of a stocke to marry her. But how could Saul or Abner be ignorant who David was, seing he had ministred unto Saul, and served him before at his house? Answ. Of this see somewhat before ch. 16. 16. and as for Abner, he being Captaine of the Hoast, happily was never at the Court when David was there, and Sauls distractions by the evill Spirit, might easily make him forget a man otherwise well knowne unto him. As for those opinions of some, that he knew him, but not who was his father; or of others, that if he knew who was his father, yet he knew not of what Tribe he was, or whether he had beene a man of warre, that had so valiant a sonne, and therefore the end of his enquiry was to know these things, these I say, are not to the purpose, because if he had remembred David, he might also have remembred his parentage and City, because he was at the first told of all these, ch. 16. For that opinion of Junius that this history is transposed and should come in before that ch. 16. it cannot stand, 1. Because David went no more home from Chap: 18. 2.Saul after this, but after his first comming to play unto Saul he returned, ch. 17. 15. 2. After Davids first playing before Saul he loved him, ch. 16. 21. but now he envyed him, ch. 18. 9. 3. ch. 18. 10. David is said to have played upon the harpe as at other times before him, when the evill spirit was upon him, therefore he had beene with Saul before this Duell.