Ch. 1 Samuel 17:1-3. The Philistine invasion

1. at Shochoh] The scene of David’s memorable combat is fixed with great exactness. The Philistine army marched up the wide valley of Elah to their rendezvous at Sochoh, and pitched their camp in Ephes-dammim (cp. 1 Chronicles 11:13). The valley of Elah is almost certainly the present Wady-es-Sunt, which runs in a N. W. direction from the hills of Judah near Hebron past the probable site of Gath (see note on ch. 1 Samuel 5:8) to the sea near Ashdod. “It took its name Elah of old from the Terebinth, of which the largest specimen we saw in Palestine still stands in the vicinity; just as it now takes its name es-Sunt from the acacias which are scattered in it.” Robinson, Bibl, Res. II. 21. Sochoh is the modern Shuweikeh, about 16 miles S.W. of Jerusalem on the road to Gaza. Azekah is mentioned in Joshua 10:10 in connexion with the rout of the Philistines in the battle of Beth-horon, but the site is uncertain. “Of the name Ephes-dammim we have perhaps a trace In the modern Beit Fased, or ‘House of Bleeding,’ near Sochoh.” Conder’s Tent Work, II. 160. The name, which signifies “boundary of blood,” was probably due to its being the scene of frequent skirmishes with the Philistines.

2. by the valley of Elah] Rather, “in the valley of Elah.”

3. on a mountain, &c.] Rather, upon the mountain … upon the mountain … and the ravine was between them. The E. V. obliterates the features of the scene. The ravine (Heb. gâî) was the stream-bed at the bottom of the valley (Heb. êmek). The Israelites encamped on the eastern, the Philistines on the western slopes of the valley. “In the middle of the broad open valley we found a deep trench with vertical sides, impassable except at certain places—a valley in a valley, and a natural barrier between the two hosts.… Here then we may picture to ourselves the two hosts, covering the low rocky hills opposite to each other, and half hidden among the lentisk bushes; between them was the rich expanse of ripening barley and the red banks of the torrent with its white shingly bed; behind all were the distant blue hill-walls of Judah, whence Saul had just come down.” Conder, Tent Work, 11. 161.

4–11. Goliath’s Challenge

4. a champion] Lit. “The (well-known) man of the interspaces,” or “interval between two camps” (Gr. μεταίχμιον: see Eur. Phoen. 1361, in the account of the combat between Eteocles and Polynices), in which single combats took place: so E. V. rightly “champion.”

Goliath of Gath] A survivor probably of the ancient race of Anakim, a remnant of which found refuge in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod, when they were exterminated by Joshua from the mountains of Judah (Joshua 11:21-22).

six cubits and a span] The cubit, or distance from the elbow to the extremity of the middle finger, is variously estimated at from eighteen to twenty-one inches: the span, or distance between the extremities of the thumb and little finger in the outstretched hand, is reckoned as half a cubit: so that Goliath’s height was between nine feet nine inches and eleven feet four inches. The most probable estimate is about ten feet three inches. Among parallel instances of gigantic stature may be quoted Pusio and Secundilla, who lived in the reign of Augustus, and are said by Pliny (Nat. Hist. VII. 16) to have been over ten feet high. Josephus says that a certain Eleazar the giant who was sent to the emperor Tiberius, was seven cubits high.

5. a coat of mail] “A corselet of scales,” made of overlapping plates of metal, and protecting the body almost down to the knees. Armour of this kind is represented in the Assyrian sculptures. See Layard’s Nineveh II. 335. Cp. Virg. Aen. XI. 487, “Turnus … thoraca indutus aenis Horrebat squamis.”

five thousand shekels] Estimated at about 157 pounds avoirdupois.

6. greaves] Armour for the legs and feet: from Fr. grève, ‘the shin.’ “Greaves” from the Assyrian monuments are figured in Layard’s Nineveh II. 337. The following passage from Philemon Holland’s translation of Pliny’s Nat. Hist. VII. 20, quoted in the Bible Word-Book, illustrates both the matter and the language:

“My selfe haue seene one named Athanatus do wonderful strange matters in the open shew and face of the world, namely to walke his stations vpon the stage with a cuirace of lead weighing 500 pound [= 360 lbs. avoirdupois], booted besides with a pair of buskins or greiues (cothurni) about his legges that came to as much in weight.”

brass] The word translated brass means copper in such passages as Deuteronomy 8:9, where a natural metal is spoken of. In some instances the compound metal bronze (copper and tin) may be meant, but brass (copper and zinc) was unknown to the ancients.

a target] Rather, a javelin, which was slung across his shoulders, as the Greeks sometimes carried their swords (Hom. Il. II. 45).Roman soldiers were often similarly armed with both pilum (javelin) and hasta (spear). The E. V. follows the Sept. and Vulg. in rendering “target,” i.e. a kind of small shield. The marginal rendering “gorget,” = “a piece of armour for the throat,” from Fr. gorge, has nothing in its favour.

7. the staff of his spear, &c.] The shaft of Goliath’s spear, short, but extraordinarily stout and heavy, is compared to the “beam” to which the web is fastened in a loom (cp. 2 Samuel 21:19). The iron spear head weighed nearly nineteen pounds avoirdupois.

one bearing a shield] A large shield to protect the whole body. Comp. Layard’s Nineveh II. 346, “The archers, whether on foot or in chariots, were accompanied by shield-bearers, whose office it was to protect them from the shafts of the enemy. The king was always attended in his wars by this officer; and even in peace, one of his eunuchs usually carried a circular shield for his use. This shield-bearer was probably a person of high rank as in Egypt.” Ajax protects Teucer with his shield while he is shooting (Hom. Il. VIII. 266–272).

8. am not I a Philistine] Rather, the Philistine; the representative of the nation. The Targum puts a long speech into Goliath’s month. “l am Goliath the Philistine of Gath, who slew the two sons of Eli the priest, Hophni and Phinehas, and carried away captive the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and brought it into the house of Dagon my error [i.e. idol], and it was there in the cities of the Philistines seven months. Moreover in all the wan of the Philistines I go forth at the head of the army, and we have been victorious in war, and have cast down the slain as the dust of the earth, and hitherto the Philistines have not honoured me, to make me captain of a thousand over them. But as for you children of Israel, what valiant deed has Saul the son of Kish of Gibeah wrought for you, that ye have made him king over you? If he be a valiant man, let him come down and do battle with me; but if he be a coward, choose you, &c.”

9. then will we be your servants] Compare the agreement between the Romans and Albans about the combat of the Horatii and Curiatii, “that the nation whose citizens conquered in the combat should rule the other in peace” (Livy I. 24). Paris challenged Menelaus to decide the Trojan war by single combat (Hom. Il. III. 86 ff.).

12. that Ephrathite] “That” signifies “who has been mentioned before,” and is inserted to connect the narrative with ch. 16 “Ephrathite” = “of Ephrath,” the old name of Bethlehem, which is here called in full Beth-lehem-judah, i.e. Bethlehem in Judah.

the man went among men, &c.] By the introduction of a slight emendation the sentence may be rendered: Now in the days of Saul the man was old and well stricken in years. Jesse’s age is mentioned to account for his absence from the army.

12–31. David’s errand to the camp

12–31. This section is not found in the Vatican MS. of the Sept. On the difficulties it presents, and the question of its genuineness see Note VI. p. 241.

15. David went and returned from Saul] From 1 Samuel 16:21-23 it might have been supposed that David was already permanently resident at Saul’s court. This verse however states that he returned home when his services were not required at court, and at the time of the Philistine war was with his father at Bethlehem. We must assume either that 1 Samuel 16:21 describes by anticipation what happened eventually after the Philistine war; or that the appointment as armour-bearer was a nominal commission, and that, as he was young and inexperienced, his attendance in camp was not yet required. Joab had ten armour-bearers (2 Samuel 18:15), and Saul probably many more.

16. And the Philistine, &c.] This remark resumes the narrative of vv, 4–11, with the additional information that Goliath’s defiance was repeated for a considerable time, and so prepares the way for what follows.

17. parched corn] Still a common article of food in Palestine. “In the season of harvest the grains of wheat, not yet dry and hard, are roasted in a pan or an iron plate, and constitute a very palatable article of food; this is eaten along with bread or instead of it.” Robinson, Bibl. Res. II. 50. Cp. Ruth 2:14; 1 Samuel 25:18; 2 Samuel 17:18.

run] Rather, carry them quickly.

18. look how thy brethren fare] Visit thy brethren and enquire after their welfare. Cp. Genesis 37:14.

take their pledge] Bring home some token from them that they are well: the equivalent of a letter.

19. Now Saul, &c.] Probably, “Now Saul and they … are,” &c., i.e. it is Jesse’s direction to David where to find his brothers, not a remark of the historian.

20. the trench] The word may mean either, (a) the circular rampart round the camp; or (b) a barrier formed by the baggage waggons round the camp; or (c) the place where the baggage waggons of the army were kept. It occurs again in 1 Samuel 26:5; 1 Samuel 26:7.

shouted for the battle] Raised the ‘slogan’ or war-cry, like Gideon’s “For the Lord and for Gideon” (Jdg 7:18). Cp. Joshua 6:5 ff.

21. For Israel … had put] And Israel … put, &c.

22. his carriage … the keeper of the carriage] “Carriage” in the E. V. always signifies “that which is carried,” “baggage.” See Jdg 18:21; Isaiah 10:28; Acts 21:15. The Heb. word is the same as that translated “stuff” in 1 Samuel 10:22.

25. will give him his daughter] Compare Caleb’s offer, Joshua 15:16. Saul procrastinated about fulfilling the promise, and imposed further conditions (1 Samuel 18:17 ff.).

make his father’s house free] Probably exemption from taxes and personal services to the king is meant. Cp. 1 Samuel 8:11 ff.

26. the living God] Jehovah as the one “living and true God” is contrasted with the idols of the heathen “which have no breath in their mouths.” Cp. Deuteronomy 5:26, and esp. 2 Kings 19:4.

28. the wilderness] The Heb. word for “wilderness” does not necessarily mean a barren district; but a wide open tract used for pasture, as distinguished from arable land. Cp. Psalm 65:12; Joel 1:19-20; Joel 2:22.

naughtiness] i.e. wickedness. David’s advancement seems to have roused Eliab’s jealousy. He imputes the worst motives to him and taunts him with (1) neglect of duty; (2) arrogance and discontent with his humble occupation; (3) unseemly eagerness for the sight of bloodshed. Eliab was unable to enter into the nature of David’s lofty indignation. Compare the hatred of Joseph’s brethren (Genesis 37:4).

29. Is there not a cause] A sufficient cause for his coming, namely, his father’s command. But probably the words mean, “Is it not a [mere] word?” i.e. “May I not ask a harmless question?”

32–40. David volunteers to fight Goliath

32. And David said unto Saul] According to the Sept. text this stands in close and appropriate connexion with 1 Samuel 17:11 : in the Heb. text David’s offer certainly follows very abruptly on his introduction to Saul.

33. thou art but a youth] Compared with the giant David was but a youth, though he had already shown sufficient promise to be called “a man of war” by Saul’s servant (1 Samuel 16:18).

34. and there came a lion, &c.] And when a lion came or even a bear (or, and that too with a bear) … I went out after him, &c. “In those early days, when the forests of Southern Palestine had not been cleared, it was the habit of the wild animals which usually frequented the heights of Lebanon or the thickets of the Jordan, to make incursions into the pastures of Judaea. From the Lebanon at times descended the bears. From the Jordan ascended the lion, at that time infesting the whole of Western Asia.” Stanley, Lect. II. 43. The Syrian bear is said to be especially ferocious, and appears to have been more dreaded than the lion. See Amos 5:19. Lions are not now found in Palestine, but the traveller Thevenot says that the Arabs are not afraid of them, and will attack and kill them, with no better arms than a stick. Cp. Amos 3:12.

35. by his bard] Cp. the Homeric epithet of the lion, “well-bearded;” (λὶς ἠϋγένειος: Il. XV. 275); and the Latin proverb “to pluck the beard of a dead lion” (barbam vellere mortuo leoni).

36. seeing he hath defied, &c.] “The trusting heart of God’s servant could see no ground for fearing one who came forth to defy Jehovah.” Wilberforce’s Heroes, p. 242.

The Sept. reads: “Shall I not go and smite him, and take away the reproach from Israel this day? for who is this uncircumcised, who hath reproached the army of the living God?”

37. the paw] Lit. “the hand,” i.e. the power: the very same word as he uses in reference to the Philistine.

the Lord be with thee] Jehovah shall be with thee: an assurance, not a prayer.

38. armed David with his armour] Clothed David with his dress: probably a special military dress adapted to be worn with armour. The sword was fastened to it (1 Samuel 17:39). Cp. 1 Samuel 18:4 (E. V. garments).

a coat of mail] A corselet. The fact that he could wear Saul’s armour at all shews that he must have been full grown, perhaps about twenty years old.

39. assayed] i.e. endeavoured. The word is derived from Old Fr. asaier, “to try, put to the proof,” and this from Lat. exigere, “to weigh.”

for he had not proved it] He made the effort in ignorance, because he had never tried a suit of armour, and did not know what an encumbrance it would be to one unaccustomed to the use of it.

David put them off him] “Expeditissimus ille ad prœlium procedere cupiebat; fortis non in se sed in Domino; armatus non tam ferro quam fide.” “He desired to go forth to the battle in the lightest possible armour: strong in the Lord not in himself: armed not with steel but with faith.” Augustine, Serm. XXXII. God would show, as in the case of Gideon (Jdg 7:2), that the victory was His alone. Compare Maurice, Prophets and Kings, p. 46.

40. five smooth stones out of the brook] “The sides and bed of this trench [see above on 1 Samuel 17:3] are strewn with rounded and water-worn pebbles, which would have been well fitted for David’s sling.” Conder, II. 161.

scrip] A small bag, especially a traveller’s wallet. Cp. Matthew 10:10; and Milton, Comus, 1. 626,

“And in requital ope his leathern scrip.”

his sling] “The sling has been in ail ages the favourite weapon of the shepherds of Syria. The Benjamites were especially expert In their use of it: even the left-handed could sling stones at an hair and not miss (Jdg 20:16).”

41–54. The victory of faith. The flight of the Philistines

41. This verse is not found in the Sept. (B).

42. he disdained him] See Proverbs 16:18.

43. Am I a dog] The Sept. (B) reads: “Am I a dog that thou comest to me with a staff and stones? And David said, Nay but worse than a dog.”

44. I will give thy flesh, &c.] Compare Hector’s defiance of Ajax in Hom. Il. XIII. 831:

“The flesh

Shall glut the dogs and carrion birds of Troy.”

45. a shield] A javelin, as in 1 Samuel 17:6. Clearly an offensive weapon is meant.

in the name of the Lord of hosts] Resting absolutely upon Him Who has revealed Himself as the Covenant-God of Israel, and the Almighty Ruler of heaven and earth, Whom thou defiest when thou defiest the armies of His people. See Note I. p. 235.

46. deliver thee into mine hand] Lit. “shut thee up.” Cp. Psalm 31:8. “David did not rashly and vainly boast beforehand of the victory, as Goliath had done; but being full of faith praised the divine omnipotence and prophesied of an assured victory.” Patrick.

that there is a God in Israel] That Israel hath a God who is worthy of the name. For the thought cp. 1 Samuel 12:22; 1 Kings 18:36; 2 Kings 19:19.

47. the Lord saveth not with sword and spear, &c.] A lesson which is needed at all times, when men are tempted to fall down and worship brute force. It is a leading thought in Hannah’s song (1 Samuel 2:1-10); cp. also 1 Samuel 14:6; Psalm 44:6-7; Hosea 1:7; Zechariah 4:6; 1 Corinthians 1:27-28.

48. ran toward the army] The battle array of the Philistines. He showed his courage by not waiting for Goliath to approach. The Sept. however has simply: “And the Philistine arose and went to meet David.”

50. This verse is not found in the Sept. (B).

51. their champion] Their mighty man: a different word from that in 1 Samuel 17:4; 1 Samuel 17:23.

52. until thou come to the valley] Heb. gai, “the ravine,” as in 1 Samuel 17:3. But the ravine which separated the armies could not tie the terminus of the Philistine flight, and it seems most probable that gai is a copyist’s error for Gath, which is the reading of the Sept. (B). Shaaraim is mentioned in Joshua 15:35-36 in connexion with Sochoh and Azekah among the towns of Judah. It is perhaps to be placed at Tell-Zakarîya, a conspicuous hill on the southern side of the main valley, between Shuweikeh (Sochoh) and Tell-es-Sâfi (Gath), exactly in the line which the Philistine flight would naturally take. It must originally have been an important outpost for Judah against Gath, but was now no doubt in the hands of the Philistines.

54. to Jerusalem] There are no indications that Jerusalem had yet attained any importance either as a political or religious centre. The citadel still remained in the hands of the Jebusites, though the lower city had been captured (Joshua 15:63). It seems best therefore to suppose that David deposited the head as a votive offering in the Tabernacle at Nob which was close to Jerusalem. We know that he afterwards placed Goliath’s sword there, and possibly the rest of his armour along with it. This is preferable to the conjecture that the historian here relates by anticipation what David did eventually when he occupied Jerusalem.

in his tent] So long as the army remained in the field he kept it as a trophy of his victory.

We might naturally expect that David would celebrate his victory by a Psalm of thanksgiving. No extant Psalm however can with certainty be referred to this occasion. The Sept. adds “against Goliath” to the title of Psalms 144 (Sept. 143), but without any sufficient probability; and the Psalm appended to the Psalter in the Sept., which professes to belong to this period, is certainly not authentic. A translation of it may be found in Smith’s Dict. of the Bible, I. 403.

55–58. Saul’s inquiry concerning David’s parentage

55. he said unto Abner] This section is not found in the Septuagint (B). On the difficulty of reconciling it with ch. 16 see Note VI. P. 241.

56. the stripling] This word is the diminutive of strip, and like slip, scion, &c. means a youth, as it were a strip from the parent stem. The Heb. word, which is found again only in 1 Samuel 20:22, signifies “a full grown youth.”