Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 17:12
Now David [was] the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem-judah, whose name [was] Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men [for] an old man in the days of Saul.
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.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
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.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
This and the following verses down to the end of 1Sa 17:31 are omitted in the Vatican copy of the Septuagint, as are 1Sa 17:55-58. The object of the omission was doubtless to avoid the apparent inconsistency with regard to Sauls acquaintance with David (see 1Sa 16:21 note).
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 12. The 12th verse, to the 31st inclusive, are wanting in the Septuagint; as also the 41st verse; and from the 54th to the end; with the first five verses of 1Sa 18, and the 9th, 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, and 19th of the same.
All these parts are found in the Codex Alexandrinus; but it appears that the MS. from which the Codex Alexandrinus was copied, had them not. See observations at the end of this chapter (1Sa 17:58). Dr. Kennicott has rendered it very probable that these portions are not a genuine part of the text.
Notwithstanding what Bishop Warburton and others have done to clear the chronology of the present printed Hebrew, it is impossible to make a clear consistent sense of the history, unless these verses are omitted. Let any one read the eleventh verse in connection with the thirty-second, leave out the forty-first, and connect the fifty-fourth with the sixth of 1Sa 18, and he will be perfectly convinced that there is nothing wanting to make the sense complete; to say nothing of the other omissions noted above. If the above be taken in as genuine, the ingenuity of man has hitherto failed to free the whole from apparent contradiction and absurdity. I must confess that where every one else has failed, I have no hope of succeeding: I must, therefore, leave all farther attempts to justify the chronology; and refer to those who have written for and against the genuineness of this part of the common Hebrew text. At the end of the chapter I shall introduce some extracts from Kennicott and Pilkington: and leave the whole with the unprejudiced and discerning reader.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The son of that Ephrathite, i.e. of the man of Ephratah, or Beth-lehem, Gen 35:19.
He had eight sons: see on 1Sa 16:10.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse,…. Before made mention of, 1Ch 16:1
and he had eight sons; seven only are mentioned, 1Ch 2:13 one of them being, as is thought by some, a grandson, perhaps Jonadab the son of Shammah; or was a son by another woman, or died without children, as Jarchi, and therefore not mentioned:
and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul; the phrase, “among men”, either signifies that he was ranked among old men, infirm and unfit for war, and so excused, and his sons went in his room, so Kimchi; or he was reckoned among men of the first rank, men of esteem, credit, and reputation, so Jarchi and R. Isaiah, with which agrees the Targum; or whenever he went abroad, he was attended by many men, had a large retinue, which sense Abarbinel mentions, and is that of Ben Gersom, and agrees with the Talmud t; but the Syriac and Arabic versions read “stricken in years”, which seems most agreeable.
t T. Bab. Beracot: fol. 58. 1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
| David Comes to the Camp of Israel. | B. C. 1060. |
12 Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem-judah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul. 13 And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. 14 And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul. 15 But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days. 17 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren; 18 And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge. 19 Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. 20 And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle. 21 For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army. 22 And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren. 23 And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them. 24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid. 25 And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father’s house free in Israel. 26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? 27 And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him. 28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. 29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause? 30 And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.
Forty days the two armies lay encamped facing one another, each advantageously posted, but neither forward to engage. Either they were parleying and treating of an accommodation or they were waiting for recruits; and perhaps there were frequent skirmishes between small detached parties. All this while, twice a day, morning and evening, did the insulting champion appear in the field and repeat his challenge, his own heart growing more and more proud for his not being answered and the people of Israel more and more timorous, while God designed hereby to ripen him for destruction and to make Israel’s deliverance the more illustrious. All this while David is keeping his father’s sheep, but at the end of forty days Providence brings him to the field to win and wear the laurel which no other Israelite dares venture for. We have in these verses,
I. The present state of his family. His father was old (v. 12): He went among men for an old man, was taken notice of for his great age, above what was usual at that time, and therefore was excused from pubic services, and went not in person to the wars, but sent his sons; he had the honours paid him that were due his age, his hoary head was a crown of glory to him. David’s three elder brethren, who perhaps envied his place at the court, got their father to send for him home, and let them go to the camp, where they hoped to signalize themselves and eclipse him (1Sa 17:13; 1Sa 17:14), while David himself was so far from being proud of the services he had done his prince, or ambitious of further preferment, that he not only returned from court to the obscurity of his father’s house, but to care, and toil, and (as it proved, v. 34) the peril, of keeping his father’s sheep. It was the praise of this humility that it came after he had the honour of a courtier, and the reward of it that it came before the honour of a conqueror. Before honour is humility. Now he had that opportunity of mediation and prayer, and other acts of devotion, which fitted him for what he was destined to more than all the military exercises of that inglorious camp could do.
II. The orders his father gave him to go and visit his brethren in the camp. He did not himself ask leave to go, to satisfy his curiosity, or to gain experience and make observations; but his father sent him on a mean and homely errand, on which any of his servants might have gone. He must carry some bread and cheese to his brethren, ten loaves with some parched corn for themselves (v. 17) and ten cheeses (which, it seems, he thought too good for them) for a present to their colonel, v. 18. David must still be the drudge of the family, though he was to be the greatest ornament of it. He had not so much as an ass at command to carry his load, but must take it on his back, and yet run to the camp. Jesse, we thought, was privy to his being anointed, and yet industriously kept him thus mean and obscure, probably to hide him from the eye of suspicion and envy, knowing that he was anointed to a crown in reversion. He must observe how his brethren fared, whether they were not reduced to short allowance, now that the encampment continued so long, that, if need were, he might send them more provisions. And he must take their pledge, that is, if they had pawned any thing, he must redeem it; take notice of their company, so some observe, whom they associate with, and what sort of life they lead. Perhaps David, like Joseph, had formerly brought to his father their evil report, and now he sends him to enquire concerning their manners. See the care the pious parents about their children when they are abroad from them, especially in places of temptation; they are solicitous how they conduct themselves, and particularly what company they keep. Let children think of this, and conduct themselves accordingly, remembering that, when they are from under their parents’ eye, they are still under God’s eye.
III. David’s dutiful obedience to his father’s command. His prudence and care made him be up early (v. 20), and yet not to leave his sheep without a keeper, so faithful was he in a few things and therefore the fitter to be made ruler over many things, and so well had he learnt to obey before he pretended to command. God’s providence brought him to the camp very seasonably, when both sides had set the battle in array, and, as it should seem, were more likely to come to an engagement than they had yet been during all the forty days, v. 21. Both sides were now preparing to fight. Jesse little thought of sending his son to the army just at that critical juncture, but the wise God orders the time and all the circumstances of actions and affairs so as to serve his designs of securing the interests of Israel and advancing the men after his own heart. Now observe here,
1. How brisk and lively David was, v. 22. What articles he brought he honestly took care of, and left them with those that had the charge of the bag and baggage; but, though he had come a long journey with a great load, he ran into the army, to see what was doing there, and to pay his respects to his brethren. Seest thou a man thus diligent in his business, he is in the way of preferment, he shall stand before kings.
2. How bold and daring the Philistine was, v. 23. Now that the armies were drawn out into a line of battle he appeared first to renew his challenge, vainly imagining that he was in the eager chase of his own glory and triumph, whereas really he was but courting his own destruction.
3. How timorous and faint-hearted the men of Israel were. Though they had, for forty days together, been used to his haughty looks and threatening language, and, having seen no execution done by either, might have learned to despise both, yet, upon his approach, they fled from him and were greatly afraid, v. 24. One Philistine could never thus have chased 1000 Israelites, and put 10,000 to flight, unless their Rock, being treacherously forsaken by them, had justly sold them, and shut them up, Deut. xxxii. 30.
4. How high Saul bid for a champion. Though he was the tallest of all the men of Israel, and, if he had not been so, while he kept close to God might himself have safely taken up the gauntlet which this insolent Philistine threw down, yet, the Spirit of the Lord having departed from him, he durst not do it, nor press Jonathan to do it; but whoever will do it shall have as good preferment as he can give him, v. 25. If the hope of wealth and honour will prevail with any man to expose himself so far, it is proclaimed that the bold adventurer, if he come off, shall marry the king’s daughter and have a good portion with her; but, as it should seem, whether he come off or no, his father’s house shall be free in Israel, from all toll, tribute, custom, and services to the crown, or shall be ennobled and advanced to the peerage.
5. How much concerned David was to assert the honour of God and Israel against the impudent challenges of this champion. He asked what reward was promised to him that should slay this Philistine (v. 26), though he knew already, not because he was ambitious of the honour, but because he would have it taken notice of, and reported to Saul, how much he resented the indignity hereby done to Israel and Israel’s God. He might have presumed so far upon his acquaintance and interest at court as to go himself to Saul to offer his service; but his modesty would not let him do this. It was one of his own rules, before it was one of his son’s proverbs, Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men (Prov. xxv. 6); yet his zeal put him upon that method which he hoped would bring him into this great engagement. Two considerations, it seems, fired David with a holy indignation:– (1.) That the challenger was one that was uncircumcised, a stranger to God and out of covenant with him. (2.) That the challenged were the armies of the living God, devoted to him, employed by him and for him, so that the affronts offered to them reflected upon the living God himself, and that he could not bear. When therefore some had told him what was the reward proposed for killing the Philistine (v. 27) he asked others (v. 30), with the same resentment, which he expected would at length come to Saul’s ear.
6. How he was brow-beaten and discouraged by his eldest brother Eliab, who, taking notice of his forwardness, fell into a passion upon it, and gave David very abusive language, v. 28. Consider this, (1.) As the fruit of Eliab’s jealousy. He was the eldest brother, and David the youngest, and perhaps it had been customary with him (as it is with too many elder brothers) to trample upon him and take every occasion to chide him. But those who thus exalt themselves over their juniors may perhaps live to see themselves, by a righteous providence, abased, and those to whom they are abusive exalted. Time may come when the elder may serve the younger. But Eliab was now vexed that his younger brother should speak those bold words against the Philistine which he himself durst not say. He knew what honour David had already had in the court, and, if he should now get honour in the camp (from which he thought he had found means effectually to seclude him, v. 15), the glory of his elder brethren would be eclipsed and stained; and therefore (such is the nature of jealousy) he would rather that Goliath should triumph over Israel than that David should be the man that should triumph over him. Wrath is cruel and anger is outrageous, but who can stand before envy, especially the envy of a brother, the keenness of which Jacob, and Joseph, and David experienced? See Prov. xviii. 19. It is very ill-favoured language that Eliab here gives him; not only unjust and unkind, but, at this time, basely ungrateful; for David was now sent by his father, as Joseph by his, on a kind of visit to his brethren. Eliab intended, in what he said, not only to grieve and discourage David himself, and quench that noble fire which he perceived glowing in his breast, but to represent him to those about him as an idle proud lad, not fit to be taken notice of. He gives them to understand that his business was only to keep sheep, and falsely insinuates that he was a careless unfaithful shepherd; though he had left his charge in good hands (v. 20), yet he must tauntingly be asked, With whom hast thou left those few sheep? Though he came down now to the camp in disobedience to his father and kindness to his brethren, and Eliab knew this, yet his coming is turned to his reproach: “Thou hast come down, not to do any service, but to gratify thy own curiosity, and only to look about thee;” and thence he will infer the pride and naughtiness of his heart, and pretends to know it as certainly as if he were in his bosom. David could appeal to God concerning his humility and sincerity (Psa 17:3; Psa 131:1) and at this time gave proofs of both, and yet could not escape this hard character from his own brother. See the folly, absurdity, and wickedness, of a proud and envious passion; how groundless its jealousies are, how unjust its censures, how unfair its representations, how bitter its invectives, and how indecent its language. God, by his grace, keep us from such a spirit! (2.) As a trial of David’s meekness, patience and constancy. A short trial it was, and he approved himself well in it; for, [1.] He bore the provocation with admirable temper (v. 29): “What have I now done? What fault have I committed, for which I should thus be chidden? Is there not a cause for my coming to the camp, when my father sent me? Is there not a cause for my resenting the injury done to Israel’s honour by Goliath’s challenges?” He had right and reason on his side, and knew it, and therefore did not render railing for railing, but with a soft answer turned away his brother’s wrath. This conquest of his own passion was in some respects more honourable than his conquest of Goliath. He that hath rule over his own spirit is better than the mighty. It was no time for David to quarrel with his brother when the Philistines were upon them. The more threatening the church’s enemies are the more forbearing her friends should be with one another. [2.] He broke through the discouragement with admirable resolution. He would not be driven off from his thoughts of engaging the Philistine by the ill-will of his brother. Those that undertake great and public services must not think it strange if they be discountenanced and opposed by those from whom they had reason to expect support and assistance; but must humbly go on with their work, in the face not only of their enemies’ threats, but of their friends’ slights and suspicions.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Jesse’s Sons, vs. 12-19
Heretofore David has been little known outside the circle of his family and those in the king’s employ. The Lord was moving David by stages into the eye of the nation, and now the time had come for him to gain notoriety. He is consequently re-introduced as the son of Jesse, an Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah. Ephrath was the old name of Bethlehem, and citizens of the town were often called Ephrathites.
Jesse had eight sons. The three oldest, Eliab, Abinadab, and Shammah, and David, the youngest, are named here. They were also introduced at the time of David’s anointing (1Sa 16:6 ff). Eliab is called Elihu (1Ch 27:18), while Shammah is written Shimea (1Ch 20:7), Shimeah (2Sa 13:3; 2Sa 13:32), Shimma (1Ch 2:13). Jesse is said to have had eight sons, seven being named in 1Ch 2:13-17, the eighth being unmentioned in the genealogy. Two daughters are also mentioned, who were perhaps half-sisters of David, their sons (Joab, Abishai, Amasa) being of the same age, or older, than David. The account says that Jesse went for an old man in those days, indicating that he was then of extreme age in contrast to those around him.
The three oldest sons of Jesse had joined the army of Saul and were a part of the stalemate in the valley of Elah caused by the frightening challenge of Goliath. David had at some time returned from the court of Saul and taken up his pursuit of a shepherd with Jesse’s sheep. David may have been permitted to return after Saul’s improvement consequent on David’s music-making, or he might have been sent home before the Philistine war due to his youth. Forty days passed while no Israelite was found willing to contend with the Philistine giant, and Jesse grew anxious for the welfare of his three older sons.
So Jesse determined to send David to inquire of the circumstances, carry food supplies for the brothers and their captain, and to return with a pledge of their health. The parched corn was probably barley, the word “corn” here, as elsewhere in the King James Version of the Bible, meaning simply “grain.” Ten loaves of bread were also sent them and ten cheeses for their captain of their thousand.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
CRITITCAL AND EXPOSITORY NOTES
1Sa. 17:12. The full account of the person and family of David tells what we already know from chap. 16, and yet reads as if nothing had been said of his origin. This suggests that the redactor of the book here appends and works in a narrative concerning David, which began with the family history, and then related the combat with Goliath, and its occasion. This view is evidently supported by the that or this, which is evidently added to connect the words with 1Sa. 16:1. The last words of the verse relating to Jesse the Ephrathite (that is, of Ephrath, the old name for Bethlehem, Gen. 48:7) are difficult. It seems best with Grotius, Thenius, after Sept., Vulg., Syr., Arab., to substitute in years, instead of the text, and render he was advanced in years. (Erdmann.)
1Sa. 17:15. But David went and returned. Rather he was going and returning, i.e., he went backwards and forwards from Saul to feed his fathers sheep in Bethlehem, so that he was not in the permanent service of Saul, but at that very time was with his father. (Keil.) This he could do, since Saul was not always in the gloomy state which required Davids harp. As totally unpractised in war (so chap. 16 supposes him to be) David, notwithstanding his enrolment among the court-esquires (armour-bearers), could not be needed by Saul in war, and he needed not to be taken along for his music, because in the midst of military affairs Sauls mind was concentrated on one point, held by one thought. (Erdmann.)
1Sa. 17:17. Take now for thy brethren. In those days campaigns rarely lasted above a few days. The soldiers were volunteers or militia, who were supplied with provisions from time to time by their friends at home. The Arab women still carry provisions to their husbands when out on fighting expeditions. (Jamieson.)
1Sa. 17:18. Ten Cheeses, or slices of curdled milk. Oriental cheeses are very small, resembling in shape and size our penny loaves, as the cheeses of the ancient Hebrews seem also to have been (cf. Job. 10:10; Psa. 86:15), and although they are frequently made of so soft a consistence as to resemble curds, those which David carried seem to have been fully formed, pressed, and sufficiently dried to admit of their being carried. (Jamieson.) Take their pledge. This was a token which, though David had seen them, would be of especial value to the fathers heart as an immediate sign from their own hands that they were alive and well (in place of a letter). (Erdmann.)
1Sa. 17:19. This should be read as part of Jesses address to David substituting are for the were of the English version.
1Sa. 17:20. Keeper. The only instance in which the hired shepherd is distinguished from the master or one of the family. (Jamieson.) Trench. Or waggon-rampart, doubtless a kind of rude fortification formed by a line of waggons and chariots.
1Sa. 17:22. His carriage, i.e., his baggage.
1Sa. 17:25. We must conclude that Saul actually made these promises although nothing is afterwards said of their fulfilment, especially as the same thing is repeated in 1Sa. 17:27. From Sauls tendency to rash and exaggerated action, and from his changeableness, we can easily understand both the promise and his unwillingness to perform it. (Erdmann.)
1Sa. 17:26. Who is this uncircumcised Philistine? These words contain the ground of the preceding thought that the insult offered to Israel must be wiped out. This ground lies in the contrast between the stand-point of the Philistine as an uncircumcised who has no community with the living God and the stand-point of this covenant people. The living God is emphasized over against the dead idols of the Philistines. (Erdmann.)
1Sa. 17:28. Eliabs questions express the thought
(1) Thou hast nothing to do here, indicating a haughty, quick judging nature, and
(2) reproach David with neglect of duty. (Erdmann.) Thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. Such an idea could not have occurred to him had not the warlike tastes of David already been well known to his family. It is more than probable, from this and other circumstances, that he had already wished to join in the first instance with his brothers, but had not been allowed by his friends to do so. But this is hardly sufficient to account for the expressions of Eliab, which must have been founded on a wider experience; and to those who have studied the character of David it will appear almost certain that he had often been led to speak of his desire to see Israel rid of the oppressors who had laid her honour in the dust, and of his hope to take some part in the great work of rending the Philistine yoke from her fair neck. (Kitto.)
1Sa. 17:29. Is there not a cause? Rather, Is there not a word? Is not this word permitted me? Can I not seek information by such a word? (Erdmann.)
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.1Sa. 17:12-29
DAVIDS VISIT TO THE CAMP
I. The truly great will not allow social advancement and natural gifts to interfere with the obedience which is due to parents. If a man is lifted to a higher condition of social life because he is mentally or morally greater than the rest of his family, that very greatness will lead him to render due honour to his parents, and this will be best shown by his obedience to their lawful commands. If a man deems that because he has risen in social life, or because he is intellectually superior to his father, he is absolved from a sons duty, he gives a convincing proof that he is not a truly great man, for he lacks that first element of greatness, viz., goodness. In this point Saul and David stand on a level, for both manifested a spirit of filial obedience (see 1Sa. 9:3-4). David must have been conscious that he was destined for some great and honourable position in the kingdom, but he was not unduly elated by it, nor did he consider himself thereby freed from his duty to his father. In this he showed himself worthy to be a type of a far greater manof that Divine Son of David who for many years of His life was subject to His human parents (Luk. 2:51), and in so doing has left an example to all sons and daughters, especially to those who are consciously mentally or morally greater than their parents.
II. Inferior spirits are always envious at the elevation of their superiors, and the envy is deep in proportion as the relationship is near. Eliab had seen Samuel anoint David, and although he might not have understood the full significance of the act, he had never recovered the shock he had then sustained at seeing his younger brother preferred before him. He now gives full proof how inferior he was to that despised and hated brother by revealing the envy that ruled his own spirit. It was this demon which prompted him so to misconstrue Davids words and actions. If we look at the most beautiful human face through a coloured and distorted medium we do not see it as it is, for that through which we look imparts to it its own hue and misrepresents the true outline. So it is impossible rightly to estimate a character if we look at it under the influence of envy. Seen through that distorted medium, actions performed from the purest motives, and words the most blameless, will be misjudged and misrepresented. Thus it was that Eliab so misjudged his brother. And the devil is not less malignant, but rather more so, when the objects of its hatred are a mans own flesh and blood. A man shows himself thus blind to his own interests, for the elevation of one member of a family often leads to the elevation of the rest. Eliab might have considered that the honour thus conferred upon David would reflect some honour upon his brethren alsothat he was himself raised in the elevation of his brother. But envy does not allow a man to reason, and the more nearly related the person who awakens envy is to the envious man the more does the latter seem to feel that he has been wronged. It is to David that Jesses family owe their place in the Scripture record and in the annals of their nation. If it had not been for him we should never have heard the name of Jesse or his sons. Through him the name of his father is for ever coupled with the name that is above every name (Isa. 11:1-9), and yet envy and reproach was his portion among his brethren.
III. Envy and insolence will be silenced by meekness and truth. David here uses weapons against his brother which were as effectual to silence him as his sling was to slay the giant. He has but to appeal to the facts, first that he has come there in obedience to his fathers command, and secondly that the Philistine giant has been for many days asking for an Israelite to fight him and none has answered his challenge. Is there not a cause? says David, Have I come without an errand? and Is there not a need that some one else should come into the camp besides those who are already in it? To this question of David, asked without any upbrading, Eliab must have found it difficult to replythere was nothing in it to provoke him to further wrath, but everything to awaken him to reason. David here displays his forbearance and his wisdom.
OUTLINES AND SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS
1Sa. 17:28. Eliab sought for the splinter in his brothers eye, and was not aware of the beam in his own. The very things with which he charged his brotherpresumption and wickedness of heartwere most apparent in his scornful reproof.Kiel.
While all Davids thought and feeling is on the great national disgrace and its removal, and his mind is concerned with plans for saving the honour of Israel and Israels God, Eliab in his low and blind zeal thinks only of the flock of sheep and the possible loss of them from lack of oversight; the type of a narrow soul, incapable of great thoughts and deeds.Langes Commentary.
In times of general formality and lukewarmness, every degree of zeal which implies a readiness to go further or venture more in the cause of God than others do will be censured as pride and ambition, and by none more than near relations and negligent superiors; and such censures will seldom be unmingled with unjust insinuations, slanders, and attempts to blacken a mans character.Scott.
It is quarrel enough, amongst many, to a good action, that it is not their own; there is no enemy so ready, or so spiteful as the domestical. The malice of strangers is simple, but of a brother it is mixt with envy. The more unnatural any quality is, the more extreme it is; a cold wind from the south is intolerable. Davids first victory is of himself, next of his brother. He overcomes himself in a patient forbearance, he overcomes the malicious rage of his brother with the mildness of his answer. If David had wanted spirit, he had not been troubled with the insultation of a Philistine That which would have stirred the choler of another, allayeth his. It was a brother that wronged him, and that his eldest. Neither was this time to quarrel with a brother, while the Philistines swords were drawn, and Goliath was challenging. O that these two motives could induce us to peace! If we have injury in our person, in our cause, it is from brethren, and the Philistines look on.Bishop Hall.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
David Hears of Goliaths Challenge. 1Sa. 17:12-27
12 Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem-judah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.
13 And the three eldest son of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.
14 And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul.
15 But David went and returned from Saul to feed his fathers sheep at Beth-lehem.
16 And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.
17 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren;
18 And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.
19 Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.
20 And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle.
21 For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.
22 And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.
23 And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.
24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.
25 And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his fathers house free in Israel.
26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
27 And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it he done to the man that killeth him.
4.
Where was David at the time and what was he doing? 1Sa. 17:14-15
David had been dismissed by Saul at the time; and having returned home, he was feeding his fathers sheep once more. At this point, the household of Jesse is again described so far as is necessary to the present purpose. Jesse himself is too old to go to the war (1Sa. 17:12), and David is regarded as too young. Three of the sons are in the ranks, but what has become of the other four is not told. Since David was too young at this time, we presume that he was not yet twenty years old; for Israels men of war were to be men who were twenty years old and older (Num. 1:3).
5.
How did it happen that he was at the battle? 1Sa. 17:17-18
His father sent him to see how his brethren fared and to take them some food. The presents sent by Jesse in the hands of David when he first went to Sauls court suggest how simple were the customs of Israel and in the court of Saul at that time. When he went to the camp, David again carried provisions and gifts. The parched corn was ears of wheat or barley plucked just before they were ripe and roasted for provision for travelers or soldiers. The army evidently had no regular commissary. To this provision were added ten of the round flat loaves of the fellahin. David was also to take ten cheeses to the captain of the thousand, to ask his brothers of their welfare, and to take their pledge. What this means is uncertain, but no corruption of the text is apparent. Possibly some token had been agreed upon which they were to send instead of a letter.
6.
What was the trench? 1Sa. 17:20
The place of the wagons was back from the field of battle. This would be the center of the location of the material for battle. Supplies of various natures would be kept here. Any group of people demands certain provision when they stay for awhile in one place. Saul had hid himself in the baggage when he was first introduced to the people for a public anointing (1Sa. 10:22). The trench mentioned is no doubt a rampart which was thrown up to protect the baggage so that the enemy could not break through and destroy the victals. The American Standard Version translates this word trench with place of the wagons. They did not fight battles in the same manner as those fought in World War I, when the foot soldiers were compelled to dig trenches and face the enemy across a no-mans land. Neither was it the kind of trench which would be dug in World War II, as so many of the armies directed their men in the field to dig slit trenches to protect themselves in times of bombings and strafings.
7.
How was the battle put in array? 1Sa. 17:21
The battle was pitched as described in the first part of the chapter. One army was on the hill to the west of the valley of Elah; the other army was on a hill to the east of the same valley. A brook ran through the midst, but there was an open place where Goliath could come to make his challenge. Probably the men did march towards each other and stand in lines drawn in array, but none dared attack the other because of the challenge that was left unanswered and the impregnable position occupied by the enemy. This stalemate continued for forty days (1Sa. 17:16).
8.
Where was Gath? 1Sa. 17:23
Gath is a Philistine town with the name meaning wine press. The importance of this city is seen in the fact that it makes so many different appearances in the Scripture narrative. Davids ultimate conquest of Philistia resulted in his taking control of their leading city of the Philistine pentapolis, and people from the city were prominent even in Davids army. One of Davids chief military men was Ittai the Gittite (2Sa. 15:19). David also had with him a great number of men among the Cherethites and Pelethites, known as the Gittites. It is expressly stated that these men came from Gath (2Sa. 15:18). Goliath was a Philistine champion from a very important Philistine town.
9.
What rewards were promised to one who would slay Goliath? 1Sa. 17:25
The men of the army understood that the man who killed Goliath would be enriched with great riches. Saul must have promised that he would give the man his daughter in marriage. As an additional enticement he promised to make his fathers house free in Israel. A mans house which was freed would have to pay no taxes. His sons would be freed from military service, and his daughters would not be taken as confectionaries and maids.
10.
What was Davids reaction to Goliaths challenge? 1Sa. 17:26-27
When David heard the words of Goliaths challenge, he made more minute inquiries from the bystanders about the whole matter and dropped some words which gave rise to the supposition that he wanted to go and fight with the Philistine himself. David was making clear that Goliath had to fight not with men, but with Godand this with a living God, and not with an idol. In other words, David was not afraid; and when he continued speaking to different groups after this manner, he was finally brought into the presence of Saul.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(12) Now David was the son of that Ephra-thite.This verse, and the following verses to the end of 1Sa. 17:31, are left out altogether, with 1Sa. 17:55-58, in the Vatican LXX. This omission was, no doubt, owing to the difficulty connected with this mention of David, where he is apparently introduced for the first time into the history; the LXX. translation not un-frequently adding or subtracting from the text when anything met them which they could not readily understand. The passage, as we find it, is undoubtedly genuine; the probable explanation of what puzzled the LXX. is given below.
It is, however, better (with the Syriac Version) to place all the words after Beth-lehem-judah down to the end of 1Sa. 17:14 in a parenthesis. 1Sa. 17:15, after the parenthesis descriptive of Jesse and his three elder sons, takes up the account of David again, thus: But David went, &c.
Went among men for an old man.This rendering follows the translation of Jeromes Vulgate, Senex et grandvus inter viros, rather than the Hebrew. The literal translation of ba-banashim would be went among men. It is best to assume that the verb ba- here is used elliptically for ba-bayamin, was advanced in days, that is, was an old man. Keil renders baanashim among the weak, that is, Jesse had come to be reckoned among the weak (or the aged). Maurer and others believe the present Hebrew reading corrupt; the sense, however, is clear.
Jesse is represented in this parenthesis, descriptive of the father of David, for some reason known only to the compiler, as already an old man. Possibly this notice is inserted to explain the reason why the father of the future hero-king of Israel was not among the warriors of Saul.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
12-31. By many critics this passage has been regarded as an interpolation, chiefly for the following reasons:
(1.) It is wanting in the Vatican Codex of the Septuagint. But if it were wanting in every copy of the Septuagint, this alone would be no sufficient reason for its rejection; for it can be shown that the translators of that version sometimes made omissions and additions at pleasure.
(2.) After what had been written in 1Sa 16:1-12, the statements here made (1Sa 17:12-14) respecting David’s father and brothers are superfluous, and indicate a different authorship. But such repetition and fulness of detail, especially in matters of genealogy, is characteristic of Hebrew historical composition; and as this victory over Goliath was David’s first bold, though unintentional, step towards the throne, and instrumental in securing for him the affections of the people, it would be unfair criticism to make this minuteness of detail an argument against the genuineness of the passage.
(3.) Eliab’s behaviour towards David, 1Sa 17:28, is unaccountable and unlikely after he had seen his brother anointed by the hand of Samuel. But this objection assumes that Eliab clearly understood that by Samuel’s anointing of David he designated him as the future king of Israel an assumption that has no foundation in the sacred record. See note on 1Sa 16:13. The honour conferred by Samuel on Jesse’s youngest son made him, like Joseph, the object of his brothers’ jealousy, and Eliab’s angry words were but a single outburst of that jealousy.
(4.) According to 1Sa 16:21, David was Saul’s armourbearer, and we would naturally expect to find him acting as such in this battle with the Philistines; but, according to 1Sa 17:15 of this section, he had retired from Saul’s court and resumed the care of his father’s sheep at Beth-lehem. But surely this is no contradiction. There is no necessity for regarding his appointment as armourbearer as any thing more than an honorary title and office which he never exercised. Joab had ten armourbearers, (2Sa 18:15,) and Saul perhaps had many more.
Other minor objections based upon particular expressions will be duly noticed in notes on the passages to which they pertain.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
David Sent to the Camp
v. 12. Now, David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem-judah whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons; and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul, v. 13. And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle, v. 14. And David was the youngest; and the three eldest followed Saul.
v. 15. But David went and returned from Saul, v. 16. And the Philistine drew near morning and evening and presented himself forty days.
v. 17. And Jesse said unto David, his son, v. 18. and carry these ten cheeses, v. 19. Now, Saul and they, v. 20. And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, v. 21. For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army, v. 22. And David left his carriage, v. 23. And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words, v. 24. And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid, v. 25. And the men of Israel said, v. 26. And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine and taketh away the reproach from Israel, v. 27. And the people answered him after this manner, v. 28. And Eliab, his eldest brother, heard when he spake unto the men, and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither, v. 29. And David said, v. 30. And he turned from him, v. 31. And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
1Sa 17:12. Now David was the son, &c. From this 12th verse to the end of the 31st, the Roman edition of the LXX has omitted the whole. But the observations which we have taken from Bishop Warburton in the notes on the preceding chapter, seem sufficient to remove any difficulties which may arise from this passage.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
(12) Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul. (13) And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. (14) And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul. (15) But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.
The sacred historian here revives again the history of David and his family. Jesse the father, is honorably spoken of: and the three eldest sons, who are in Saul s army, are mentioned by name. But the whole of this, is with a view to introduce the great hero of the family, David. If Saul and all his army trembled at the approach of Goliath, Jesse’s eldest sons were among the number that feared. But do we not see here, somewhat leading to David’s Lord. Jesus feeds his sheep at Bethlehem, amidst all the wars and hostilities of camps. Oh! for grace to seek after him like the church, and to find him beside the shepherds’ tents. Son 1:7-8 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Sa 17:12 Now David [was] the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name [was] Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men [for] an old man in the days of Saul.
Ver. 12. And he had eight sons. ] See on 1Sa 16:10 .
And the man went among men for an old man.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
eight sons. David was now between sixteen and seventeen years old. See note on 1Sa 16:5.
men. Hebrew ‘enosh. App-14.
for an old man. Septuagint and Syriac read “was old”, advanced in years.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
David: 1Sa 17:58, 1Sa 16:1, 1Sa 16:18, Rth 4:22, Mat 1:6, Luk 3:31, Luk 3:32
Ephrathite: Gen 35:19, Psa 132:6, Mic 5:2, Mat 2:1, Mat 2:6
eight sons: 1Sa 16:10, 1Sa 16:11, 1Ch 2:13-16
Reciprocal: Gen 48:7 – Rachel 1Sa 1:1 – Ephrathite 1Sa 17:31 – sent for him 1Ki 11:26 – an Ephrathite 1Ch 2:15 – David 2Ch 11:6 – Bethlehem Luk 2:4 – unto
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Sa 17:12-15. David was the son of that Ephrathite, &c. Being chosen of God to combat with Goliath, we are here informed of whom he was descended. The man went among men Was accounted; an old man Therefore he went not himself to the camp. David was the youngest Being young, he was not put to the hardships of war; but the three eldest undertook to serve their prince and their country in this time of common danger. David went and returned from Saul Left his court, with his permission, for the present. Probably he returned upon his fathers sending his three eldest sons into Sauls service. Having been instrumental in relieving Saul, he was not now particularly wanted at court, but probably was wanted to feed his fathers sheep, and might be sent for again when occasion should require.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The reason for David’s presence at the battle 17:12-25
At this time in his life David was assisting Saul as his armor-bearer when he was not tending his father’s sheep (1Sa 17:15). Moses, too, had been tending sheep before God called him to shepherd His people Israel (Exo 3:1). The site of battle was 15 miles due west of David’s hometown, Bethlehem. The Old Testament writers sometimes used "Ephratah" (1Sa 17:12), an older name for Bethlehem, to distinguish the Bethlehem in Judah from the one in Zebulon (cf. Mic 5:2). David journeyed to the battle site to bring food (including cheeseburgers? 1Sa 17:18) to his brothers and their fellow soldiers and to collect news to bring back to his father. Compare the similar events in young Joseph’s life, who was also anointed in the midst of his brothers, and then went on an errand to find his brothers, only to experience a life-changing encounter. Little did Jesse expect that the news David would bring back home was that he had slain Goliath and that the Israelites had routed the Philistines. The battle had been a standoff for 40 days (1Sa 17:16). The number 40 often represents a period of testing in the Bible (cf. the Israelites’ testing in the wilderness for 40 years, Jesus’ testing for 40 days, etc.). This was another test for Israel. Would the nation trust in the arm of the flesh or in God?
Part of the reward for defeating Goliath that Saul had promised was that the victor’s family would be tax free in Israel (1Sa 17:25). [Note: See McCarter, p. 304; and Shemaryahu Talmon, King, Cult, and Calendar in Ancient Israel: Collected Studies, pp. 65-66.] The giving of the leader’s daughter in marriage to a valiant warrior was not without precedent in Israel (cf. Caleb’s challenge in Jos 15:16).