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Commentary on 1 Samuel 17 verses 1–11
It was not long ago that the Philistines were soundly beaten, and put to the worse, before Israel, and they would have been totally routed if Saul's rashness had not prevented; but here we have them making head again. Observe,
I. How they defied Israel with their armies, Sa1 17:1. They made a descent upon the Israelites' country, and possessed themselves, as it should seem, of some part of it, for they encamped in a place which belonged to Judah. Israel's ground would never have been footing for Philistine-armies if Israel had been faithful to their God. The Philistines (it is probable) had heard that Samuel had fallen out with Saul and forsaken him, and no longer assisted and advised him, and that Saul had grown melancholy and unfit for business, and this news encouraged them to make this attempt for the retrieving of the credit they had lately lost. The enemies of the church are watchful to take all advantages, and they never have greater advantages than when her protectors have provoked God's Spirit and prophets to leave them. Saul mustered his forces, and faced them, Sa1 17:2, Sa1 17:3. And here we must take notice, 1. That the evil spirit, for the present, had left Saul, Sa1 16:23. David's harp having given him some relief, perhaps the alarms and affairs of the war prevented the return of the distemper. Business is a good antidote against melancholy. Let the mind have something without to fasten on and employ itself about, and it will be the less in danger of preying upon itself. God, in mercy to Israel, suspended the judgment for a while; for how distracted must the affairs of the public have been if at this juncture the prince had been distracted! 2. That David for the present had returned to Bethlehem, and had left the court, Sa1 17:15. When Saul had no further occasion to use him for the relief of his distemper, though, being anointed, he had a very good private reason, and, having a grant of the place of Saul's armour-bearer, he had a very plausible pretence to have continued his attendance, as a retainer to the court, yet he went home to Bethlehem, and returned to keep his father's sheep; this was a rare instance, in a young man that stood so fair for preferment, of humility and affection to his parents. He knew better than most do how to come down again after he had begun to rise, and strangely preferred the retirements of the pastoral life before all the pleasures and gaieties of the court. None more fit for honour than he, nor that deserved it better, and yet none more dead to it.
II. How they defied Israel with their champion Goliath, whom they were almost as proud of as he was of himself, hoping by him to recover their reputation and dominion. Perhaps the army of the Israelites was superior in number and strength to that of the Philistines, which made the Philistines decline a battle, and stand at bay with them, desiring rather to put the issue upon a single combat, in which, having such a champion, they hoped to gain the victory. Now concerning this champion observe,
1.His prodigious size. He was of the sons of Anak, who at Gath kept their ground in Joshua's time (Jos 11:22), and kept up a race of giants there, of which Goliath was one, and, it is probable, one of the largest. He was in height six cubits and a span, v. 4. They learned bishop Cumberland has made it out that the scripture-cubit was above twenty-one inches (above three inches more than our half-yard) and a span was half a cubit, by which computation Goliath wanted but eight inches of four yard in height, eleven feet and four inches, a monstrous stature, and which made him very formidable, especially if he had strength and spirit proportionable.
2.His armour. Art, as well as nature, made him terrible. He was well furnished with defensive armour (Sa1 17:5, Sa1 17:6): A helmet of brass on his head, a coat of mail, made of brass plates laid over one another, like the scales of a fish; and, because his legs would lie most within the reach of an ordinary man, he wore brass boots, and had a large corselet of brass about his neck. The coat is said to weigh 5000 shekels, and a shekel was half an ounce avoirdupois, a vast weight for a man to carry, all the other parts of his armour being proportionable. But some think it should be translated, not the weight of the coat, but the value of it, was 5000 shekels; so much it cost. His offensive weapons were extraordinary, of which his spear only is here described, Sa1 17:7. It was like a weaver's beam. His arm could manage that which an ordinary man could scarcely heave. His shield only, which was the lightest of all his accoutrements, was carried before him by his esquire, probably for state; for he that was clad in brass little needed a shield.
3.His challenge. The Philistines having chosen him for their champion, to save themselves from the hazard of battle, he here throws down the gauntlet, and bids defiance to the armies of Israel, Sa1 17:8-10. He came into the valley that lay between the camps, and, his voice probably being as much stronger than other people's as his arm was, he cried so as to make them all hear him, Give me a man, that we may fight together. He looked upon himself with admiration, because he was so much taller and stronger than all about him; his heart (says bishop Hall) nothing but a lump of proud flesh. He looked upon Israel with disdain, because they had none among them of such a monstrous bulk, and defies them to find a man among them bold enough to enter the list with him. (1.) He upbraids them with their folly in drawing an army together: "Why have you come to set the battle in array? How dare you oppose the mighty Philistines?" Or, "Why should the two armies engage, when the controversy may be sooner decided, with only the expense of one life and the hazard of another?" (2.) He offers to put the war entirely upon the issue of the duel he proposes: "If your champion kill me, we will be your servants; if I kill him, you shall be ours." This, says bishop Patrick, was only a bravado, for no nation would be willing thus to venture its all upon the success of one man, nor is it justifiable; notwithstanding Goliath's stipulation here, when he was killed the Philistines did not stand to his word, nor submit themselves as servants to Israel. When he boasts, I am a Philistine, and you are servants to Saul, he would have it thought a great piece of condescension in him, who was a chief ruler, to enter the lists with an Israelite; for he looked on them as no better than slaves. The Chaldee paraphrase brings him in boasting that he was the man that had killed Hophni and Phinehas and taken the ark prisoner, but that the Philistines had never given him so much as the command of a regiment in recompence of his services, whereas Saul had been made king for his services: "Let him therefore take up the challenge."
4.The terror this struck upon Israel: Saul and his army were greatly afraid, Sa1 17:11. The people would not have been dismayed but that they observed Saul's courage failed him; and it is not to be expected that, if the leader be a coward, the followers should be bold. We found before, when the Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul (Sa1 11:6), none could be more daring nor forward to answer the challenge of Nahash the Ammonite, but now that the Spirit of the Lord had departed from him even the big looks and big words of a single Philistine make him change colour. But where was Jonathan all this while? Why did not he accept the challenge, who, in the last war, had so bravely engaged a whole army of Philistines? Doubtless he did not feel himself stirred up of God to it, as he did in the former case. As the best, so the bravest men, are no more than what God makes them. Jonathan must now sit still, because the honour of engaging Goliath is reserved for David. In great and good actions, the wind of the Spirit blows when and where he listeth. Now the pious Israelites lament their king's breach with Samuel.
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SUMMARY
1 Samuel 17:11 profoundly captures the widespread terror and spiritual paralysis that gripped King Saul and the entire Israelite army upon hearing the audacious challenge of Goliath, the Philistine champion. This verse marks a pivotal moment in the narrative, exposing the deep-seated fear and lack of faith within God's chosen people and their leader, thereby setting the stage for the dramatic intervention of David and the subsequent demonstration of divine power triumphing over overwhelming human weakness.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to powerfully convey the Israelite army's state. Hyperbole is evident in "all Israel," emphasizing the collective and pervasive nature of the fear, suggesting that not a single person, from the king down, was exempt from this terror. This exaggeration underscores the severity of the situation and the depth of their demoralization. Foreshadowing is also present, as the profound fear and paralysis of Saul and Israel set the stage for the dramatic entrance of David, whose courage and faith will stand in stark contrast to the army's cowardice, thereby magnifying God's power working through an unlikely champion. Furthermore, the verse utilizes Contrast by juxtaposing Goliath's intimidating words and physical prowess with the complete demoralization and inaction of the Israelite forces, highlighting the spiritual and leadership void that David will soon fill.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound fear exhibited by Saul and all Israel in 1 Samuel 17:11 serves as a stark theological commentary on the state of God's people when their trust shifts from divine power to human assessment of strength. Their dismay was not merely a natural reaction to a formidable foe but a spiritual failure, indicating a lack of faith in the God who had repeatedly delivered Israel from superior enemies. This moment highlights the biblical truth that true security and courage come not from physical might or strategic advantage, but from an unwavering reliance on the Lord. It underscores the danger of allowing fear to paralyze faith, demonstrating how a people called by God can become ineffective when they forget His covenant promises and His ability to fight their battles. This spiritual paralysis sets the stage for God to raise up an unexpected deliverer, emphasizing that His strength is made perfect in weakness.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in 1 Samuel 17:11 is a timeless mirror reflecting our own human tendencies when faced with overwhelming challenges. Just as Saul and Israel were paralyzed by the "giant" Goliath, we too can become "dismayed and greatly afraid" when confronted by seemingly insurmountable obstacles in our lives—be they financial crises, health battles, relational conflicts, or spiritual attacks. This verse challenges us to examine the source of our fear: Is it a natural human reaction, or does it stem from a deeper spiritual deficiency, a lack of trust in God's sovereign power and faithfulness? The paralysis of Israel serves as a powerful reminder that fear, left unchecked, can lead to inaction and spiritual stagnation, preventing us from stepping into the victories God intends for us. It calls us to cultivate a faith that looks beyond the size of the "giant" to the omnipotence of our God, remembering that He equips and empowers His people to face any challenge, transforming our dismay into divine courage.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why were Saul and all Israel so afraid, despite being a large army?
Answer: Their fear stemmed from a combination of factors, but primarily a spiritual one. Goliath was indeed a formidable physical specimen and a champion of a militarily superior Philistine army, and his psychological warfare was highly effective. However, the core issue was a crisis of faith and leadership. Saul, who had been chosen by God to lead Israel and had previously demonstrated courage, was now operating without the empowering presence of the Spirit of the Lord, which had departed from him (see 1 Samuel 16:14). A king's fear would naturally permeate his army. Without a leader who trusted God to deliver, and with a collective memory of past Philistine dominance, the Israelite army succumbed to fear, forgetting God's past victories and His covenant promises to fight for His people (see Deuteronomy 3:22).
Does this verse suggest a failure of God's people?
Answer: Yes, absolutely. This verse is a poignant portrayal of a profound spiritual and leadership failure within God's chosen people. It highlights their inability to trust in God's power and promises when faced with a seemingly overwhelming human threat. Instead of remembering God's mighty acts of deliverance (e.g., the Exodus, the conquest of Canaan), they succumbed to human fear and despair. This failure of faith and courage, particularly on the part of King Saul, sets the stage for God to demonstrate His sovereignty by raising up an unlikely champion in David. It underscores the biblical principle that God's people are called to walk by faith, not by sight, and that human weakness often serves as a backdrop for the display of divine strength.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound fear and paralysis of Saul and all Israel in the face of Goliath foreshadow the ultimate human predicament: humanity's utter helplessness against the "giants" of sin, death, and the devil. Just as Israel needed a deliverer to face a foe they could not conquer, so too humanity desperately needed a champion to overcome the spiritual enemies that held them captive. Jesus Christ is that ultimate champion. Unlike Saul, who was "dismayed and greatly afraid," Jesus, the true and perfect King, faced the ultimate adversary—Satan and the power of death—without fear. Through His life of perfect obedience, His sacrificial death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection, He disarmed the powers and authorities (see Colossians 2:15) and destroyed the one who has the power of death (see Hebrews 2:14-15). Where human strength and courage fail, Christ's victory is absolute. He declares, "In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world" (see John 16:33). Through Him, believers are empowered to face their own "giants" not with dismay and fear, but with the courage and peace that comes from knowing the battle has already been won by their sovereign King, who empowers them through His Spirit to live in victory.