Chapter 17

1
gathered 1Sam 7:7, 1Sam 13:5, 1Sam 14:46, 1Sam 14:52; Judg 3:3

Shochoh Josh 15:35, Socoh, 2Chr 11:7, Shoco, 2Chr 28:18, Shocho

Azekah Josh 10:10-11, Josh 15:35; Jer 34:7

Ephesdammim or, the coast of Dammim, 1Chr 11:13, Pas-dammim


2
the valley 1Sam 17:19, 1Sam 21:9

set the battle in array Heb. ranged the battle


4
Goliath 1Sam 17:23, 1Sam 21:9-10; 2Sam 21:19; 1Chr 20:5

of Gath 1Sam 27:4; Josh 11:22; 2Sam 21:16-22; 1Chr 20:4-8

whose height Deut 3:11; 1Chr 11:23; Amos 2:9

six cubits According to Bp. Cumberland's calculation, the height of Goliath was about eleven feet ten inches; but Parkhurst estimating the ordinary cubit at seventeen inches and a half, calculates that he was nine feet six inches high. Few instances can be produced of men who can be compared with him. Pliny says, "The tallest man that hath been seen in our days was one name Gabara, who, in the days of Claudius, the late Emperor, was brought out of Arabia. He was nine feet nine inches." Josephus mentions a Jew, named Eleazar, whom Vitellius sent to Rome, who was seven cubits, or ten feet two inches high. Becanus saw a man near ten feet, and a woman that was full ten feet. And, to mention no more, a man of the name of John Middleton, born at Hale, near Warrington, in Lancashire, in the reign of James the First, was more than nine feet high. Dr. Plott, in his history of Staffordshire, says, that "his hand, from the carpus to the end of the middle finger, was seventeen inches, his palms eight inches and a half broad, and his whole height was nine feet three inches; wanting but six inches of the height of Goliath of Gath."


5
armed Heb. clothed, 1Sam 17:38


6
target of brass or, gorget, 1Kgs 10:16; 2Chr 9:15


7
the staff 2Sam 21:19; 1Chr 11:23, 1Chr 20:5


8
servants to Saul 1Sam 17:26, 1Sam 8:17; 2Sam 11:11; 1Chr 21:3


9
and serve us 1Sam 11:1


10
I defy 1Sam 17:25-26, 1Sam 17:36, 1Sam 17:45; Num 23:7-8; 2Sam 21:21, 2Sam 23:9; Neh 2:19

give me Job 40:9-12; Ps 9:4-5; Prov 16:18; Jer 9:23; Dan 4:37


11
dismayed Deut 31:8; Josh 1:9; Ps 27:1; Prov 28:1; Isa 51:12-13, Isa 57:11


12
David 1Sam 17:58, 1Sam 16:1, 1Sam 16:18; Ruth 4:22; Matt 1:6; Luke 3:31-32

Ephrathite Gen 35:19; Ps 132:6; Mic 5:2; Matt 2:1, Matt 2:6

eight sons 1Sam 16:10-11; 1Chr 2:13-16


13
the names 1Sam 17:28, 1Sam 16:6-9; 1Chr 2:13

Shammah 2Sam 13:3, 2Sam 13:32, 2Sam 21:21, Shimeah


14
the youngest 1Sam 16:11; Gen 25:23


15
returned 1Sam 16:11, 1Sam 16:19-23


16
forty days Matt 4:2; Luke 4:2


17
Take now Matt 7:11; Luke 11:13

parched corn 1Sam 25:18; Ruth 2:14; 2Sam 17:28


18
carry 1Sam 16:20

cheeses Heb. cheeses of milk, 2Sam 17:29; Job 10:10

their thousand Heb. a thousand

look Gen 37:14; Acts 15:36; 1Thess 3:5-6


19
the valley Dr. Richardson says, that in about twenty minutes, in an easterly direction, form the cave of St. John (which is about two hours or six miles, in a westerly direction, from Jerusalem), they came to the valley of Elah; which position seems to agree with that of Shochoh and Azekah. He describes it as "a small valley, and the place of the encampment is pointed out where it narrows into a broad, deep ravine; part of it was in crop, and part of it was under the plough, which was drawn by a couple of oxen. A small stream, which had shrunk almost under its stony bed, passes through it from east to west, from which we are informed that David chose out five smooth stones, and hasted and ran to meet the haughty champion of Gath. A well of water under the bank, with a few olive trees above, on the north side of the valley, are said to mark the spot of the shepherd's triumph over his boasting antagonist. Saul and his men probably occupied the side of the valley which is nearest to Jerusalem, on which the ground is higher and more rugged than on the other side." 1Sam 17:19


20
left the sheep 1Sam 17:28; Eph 6:1-2

trench or, place of the carriage, 1Sam 26:5; Luke 19:43

fight or, battle array, or place of fight


22
his carriage Heb. the vessels from upon him

saluted his brethren Heb. asked his brethren of peace, Gen 37:14; Judg 18:15; Matt 10:12-13; Luke 10:5-6


23
according 1Sam 17:4-10


24
him Heb. his face, 1Sam 13:6-7

sore 1Sam 17:11; Lev 26:36; Num 13:33; Deut 32:30; Isa 7:2, Isa 30:17


25
the king 1Sam 18:17-27; Josh 15:16; Rev 2:7, Rev 2:17, Rev 3:5, Rev 3:12, Rev 3:21

free in Israel Ezra 7:24; Matt 17:26


26
reproach 1Sam 11:2; Josh 7:8-9; 2Kgs 19:4; Neh 5:9; Ps 44:13, Ps 74:18, Ps 79:12; Dan 9:16; Joel 2:19

uncircumcised 1Sam 17:36, 1Sam 14:6

defy 1Sam 17:10; Deut 5:26; Jer 10:10; 1Thess 1:9; 1John 5:20


27
So shall it 1Sam 17:25


28
Eliab's anger 1Sam 16:13; Gen 37:4, Gen 37:8, Gen 37:11; Prov 18:19, Prov 27:4; Eccl 4:4; Matt 10:36, Matt 27:18; Mark 3:21

with 1Sam 17:20

I know 1Sam 16:7; Ps 35:11; Jude 1:10


29
Prov 15:1; Acts 11:2-4; 1Cor 2:15; 1Pet 3:9


30
manner Heb. word, 1Sam 17:26-27


31
sent for him Heb. took him, Prov 22:29; The preceding twenty verses, from the 1Sam 17:12 to the 1Sam 17:31 inclusive, the 1Sam 17:41, and from the 1Sam 17:54 to the end of this chapter, with the first 1Sam 18:1 and the 1Sam 18:9, 10th, 11th, 1Sam 18:17, 18th, and 19th, of 1Sam 18:1-30, are all wanting in the Vatican copy of the LXX; and they are supposed by Dr. Kennicott, and others, to be an interpolation. But, as Bp. Horsley observes, it appears, from many circumstances of the story, that David's combat with Goliath was many years prior to Saul's madness, and David's introduction to him as a musician. In the first place, David was quite a youth when he engaged with Goliath (1Sam 17:33 and 1Sam 17:42). When introduced to Saul he was of full age (1Sam 16:18). Again, this combat was his first appearance in public life, and his first military exploit (1Sam 17:36, 1Sam 17:38-39). When introduced as a musician, he was a man of established character, and a man of war (1Sam 16:18). Now the just conclusion is, that the last ten verses of 1Sam 16:14 have been misplaced; their true place being between the ninth and tenth verses of Josh 18:9. Let them be removed there, and the whole apparent disorder will be removed.


32
Let Num 13:30, Num 14:9; Deut 20:1-3; Isa 35:4; Heb 12:12

thy 1Sam 14:6, 1Sam 16:18; Josh 14:12; Ps 3:6, Ps 27:1-3


33
Thou art not Num 13:31; Deut 9:2; Ps 11:1; Rev 13:4

for thou art but 1Sam 17:42, 1Sam 17:56


34
lamb or, kid


35
smote him Judg 14:5-6; 2Sam 23:20; Ps 91:13; Dan 6:22; Amos 3:12; Acts 28:4-6; 2Tim 4:17-18


36
this 1Sam 17:26; Ezek 32:19, Ezek 32:27-32; Rom 2:28-29

seeing 1Sam 17:10; Isa 10:15, Isa 36:8-10, Isa 36:15, Isa 36:18, Isa 37:22-23, Isa 37:28-29; Zech 2:8, Zech 12:3; Acts 5:38-39, Acts 9:4-5, Acts 12:1-2, Acts 12:22-23


37
The Lord 1Sam 7:12; Ps 11:1, Ps 18:16-17, Ps 63:7, Ps 77:11, Ps 138:3, Ps 138:7-8; 2Cor 1:9-10; 2Tim 4:17-18

Go 1Sam 20:13, 1Sam 24:19, 1Sam 26:25; 2Sam 10:12; 1Chr 22:11, 1Chr 22:16


38
armed David with his armour Heb. clothed David with his clothes, 1Sam 17:5


39
put them off Hos 1:7; Zech 4:6; 2Cor 10:4-5


40
staff Judg 3:31, Judg 7:16-20, Judg 15:15-16, Judg 20:16; 1Cor 1:27-29

brook or, valley

bag Heb. vessel, Matt 10:10


42
disdained 1Kgs 20:18; 2Kgs 18:23-24; Neh 4:2-4; Ps 123:3-4; 2Cor 11:27-29

a youth 1Sam 17:33, 1Sam 16:12


43
Am 1Sam 24:14; 2Sam 3:8, 2Sam 9:8, 2Sam 16:9; 2Kgs 8:13

cursed Gen 27:29; Num 22:6, Num 22:11-12; Judg 9:27; Prov 26:2


44
Come to me 1Kgs 20:10-11; Prov 18:12; Eccl 9:11-12; Jer 9:23; Ezek 28:2, Ezek 28:9-10; Ezek 39:17-20

I will give Parallel instances of vaunting occur in some writers of a more recent date. - The conspirators against the emperor Maximinus having slain him, his son, and several of his best friends, threw out their bodies to be devoured by dogs and the fowls of the air. This custom appears to have been frequently threatened; and, however shocking to human feelings, was often carried into effect.


45
Thou comest Ps 44:6

in the name 2Sam 22:33-35; 2Chr 32:8; Ps 3:8, Ps 18:2, Ps 20:5-7, Ps 118:10-11, Ps 124:8; Ps 125:1; Prov 18:10; 2Cor 3:5, 2Cor 10:4; Phil 4:13; Heb 11:33-34

defied 1Sam 17:10, 1Sam 17:26, 1Sam 17:36; Isa 37:23, Isa 37:28


46
will the Lord Deut 7:2, Deut 7:23, Deut 9:2-3; Josh 10:8

deliver thee Heb. shut thee up, Ps 31:8

take thine 1Sam 17:51

carcases 1Sam 17:44; Deut 28:26; Isa 56:9; Matt 24:28; Rev 19:17-18

all the earth Exod 9:16, Exod 15:14-15; Josh 4:24; 1Kgs 8:43, 1Kgs 18:36-37; 2Kgs 19:19; Ps 46:10; Isa 52:10; Dan 2:47, Dan 3:29, Dan 6:26-27


47
saveth not Ps 33:16-17, Ps 44:6-7; Prov 21:30-31; Hos 1:7

the battle 1Sam 14:6; 2Chr 20:15-17; Ps 46:11; Isa 9:7; Zech 4:6; Rom 8:31, Rom 8:37


48
David hasted Ps 27:1; Prov 28:1


49
smote 1Kgs 22:34; 2Kgs 9:24; 1Cor 1:27-28


50
So David prevailed The tradition of the combat between David and Goliath, in which the latter was killed, is preserved among the Arabs; for he is mentioned in the Koran, where he is called Galut or Jalut. The Arabs also call the dynasty of the Philistine kings, who reigned in Palestine when the Hebrews came there, Galutiah, or Jalutiah. Achmed Al Fassi says, "Those kings were as well known by the name of Jalaut, as the ancient kings of Egypt by that of Pharaoh. David killed the Jalaut who reigned in his time, and entirely rooted out the Philistines, the rest of whom fled into Africa, and from them descended the Brebers or Berbers, who inhabit the coast of Barbary." It is remarkable that the Berbers themselves should acknowledge their descent from the Philistines. "The name Goliath, which they pronounce Sghialud, is very common among the Brebers, and the history of the champion of the Philistines is very well known to the Moors. When children quarrel, and the bigger one challenges the smaller to fight the latter answers, 'Who will fight with you? Enta men ulid Sgialud. You are of the race of Golaith.' The Jews who dwell among them, on the mountains, all call them Philistines." 1Sam 21:9, 1Sam 23:21; Judg 3:31, Judg 15:15

but there was 1Sam 17:39, 1Sam 13:22


51
his sword 1Sam 21:9; 2Sam 23:21; Esth 7:10; Ps 7:15-16; Heb 2:14

cut off 1Sam 17:46

fled Heb 11:34


52
the men of Israel 1Sam 14:21-22; Judg 7:23; 2Sam 23:10

valley Josh 15:33-36, Josh 15:45-46


53
they spoiled 2Kgs 7:7-16; Jer 4:20, Jer 30:16


54
took the head 1Sam 21:9; Exod 16:33; Josh 4:7-8


55
whose son 1Sam 17:58, 1Sam 16:21-22


57
the head 1Sam 17:54


58
Whose son To account for the apparent inconsistency of Saul not knowing David, see note at the end of 1Sam 17:31.

I am the son 1Sam 17:12, 1Sam 16:18-19


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