Chapter 17:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Ruth 2 Samuel
1 Samuel 17
Concise Complete
Goliath's challenge. (1-11) David comes to the camp.
(12-30) David undertakes to fight Goliath. (31-39) and goes to meet him. (40-47)
He kills Goliath. (48-58)
Verses 1-11 Men
so entirely depend upon God in all things, that when he withdraws his help, the
most valiant and resolute cannot find their hearts or hands, as daily experience
shows.
Verses 12-30
Jesse little thought of sending his son to the army at that critical juncture;
but the wise God orders actions and affairs, so as to serve his designs. In
times of general formality and lukewarmness, every degree of zeal which implies
readiness to go further, or to venture more in the cause of God than others,
will be blamed as pride and ambition, and by none more than by near relations,
like Eliab, or negligent superiors. It was a trial of David's meekness,
patience, and constancy. He had right and reason on his side, and did not render
railing for railing; with a soft answer he turned away his brother's wrath. This
conquest of his own passion was more honourable than that of Goliath. Those who
undertake great and public services, must not think it strange if they are
spoken ill of, and opposed by those from whom they expect support and
assistance. They must humbly go on with their work, in the face not only of
enemies' threats, but of friends' slights and suspicions.
Verses 31-39 A
shepherd lad, come the same morning from keeping sheep, had more courage than
all the mighty men of Israel. Thus God often sends good words to his Israel, and
does great things for them, by the weak and foolish things of the world. As he
had answered his brother's passion with meekness, so David answered Saul's fear
with faith. When David kept sheep, he proved himself very careful and tender of
his flock. This reminds us of Christ, the good Shepherd, who not only ventured,
but laid down his life for the sheep. Our experience ought to encourage us to
trust in God, and be bold in the way of duty. He that has delivered, does and
will continue to do so. David gained leave to fight the Philistine. Not being
used to such armour as Saul put upon him, he was not satisfied to go in that
manner; this was from the Lord, that it might more plainly appear he fought and
conquered in faith, and that the victory was from Him who works by the feeblest
and most despised means and instruments. It is not to be inquired how excellent
any thing is, but how proper. Let Saul's coat be ever so rich, and his armour
ever so strong, what is David the better if they fit him not? But faith, prayer,
truth, and righteousness; the whole armour of God, and the mind that was in
Christ; are equally needful for all the servants of the Lord, whatever may be
their work.
Verses 40-47
The security and presumption of fools destroy them. Nothing can excel the
humility, faith, and piety which appear in David's words. He expressed his
assured expectation of success; he gloried in his mean appearance and arms, that
the victory might be ascribed to the Lord alone.
Verses 48-58
See how frail and uncertain life is, even when a man thinks himself best
fortified; how quickly, how easily, and by how small a matter, the passage may
be opened for life to go out, and death to enter! Let not the strong man glory
in his strength, nor the armed man in his armour. God resists the proud, and
pours contempt on those who defy him and his people. No one ever hardened his
heart against God and prospered. The history is recorded, that all may exert
themselves for the honour of God, and the support of his cause, with bold and
unshaken reliance on him. There is one conflict in which all the followers of
the Lamb are, and must be engaged; one enemy, more formidable than Goliath,
still challenges the armies of Israel. But "resist the devil, and he will flee
from you." Go forth to battle with the faith of David, and the powers of
darkness shall not stand against you. But how often is the Christian foiled
through an evil heart of unbelief!
Chapter 17:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Ruth 2 Samuel
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
