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Commentary on 1 Samuel 17 verses 12–30
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 (Sa1 17:12): 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 (Sa1 17:13, Sa1 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, Sa1 17:34) 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 (Sa1 17:17) and ten cheeses (which, it seems, he thought too good for them) for a present to their colonel, Sa1 17:18. 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 (Sa1 17:20), 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, Sa1 17:21. 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, Sa1 17:22. 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, Sa1 17:23. 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, Sa1 17:24. 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, Deu 32:30.
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, Sa1 17:25. 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 (Sa1 17:26), 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 (Pro 25:6); 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 (Sa1 17:27) he asked others (Sa1 17:30), 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, Sa1 17:28. 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, Sa1 17:15), 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 Pro 18:19. 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 (Sa1 17:20), 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 (Sa1 17:29): "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.
Therefore, with three major ones following Saul, David went, etc. Because we all stumble in many ways, the only one conceived in sanctification, (James V), Anamartitos, that is, without sin, could live in the flesh, is rightly understood as God; because even teachers, certain lawgivers in Judea, prophets, and psalmists, as some interpret, priests, scribes, and Pharisees, sweating in the spiritual struggle against the law of sin opposing the law of their mind, only our Creator and Redeemer remained free from the conflict of all assaulting faults, who exceedingly also, with the generous mercy of eternal divinity, although humble in mortal flesh, refreshed the faithful flock of His Father; for He indeed agreed with mortals in the truth of nature, but differed from them in the power of sinning, imbuing men with spiritual gifts, but committing no vices among them. Rightly, David the Psalmist is brought forth to heal Saul, but in fighting the Philistines, he returns as if free from the enemy. Furthermore, like a good shepherd, with others placed in the readiness of war, he himself, free from war, invites his most gentle lambs to the pastures of Bethlehem.
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SUMMARY
1 Samuel 17:15 provides a critical, though often overlooked, detail about David's life immediately before his legendary encounter with Goliath. It clarifies that despite his anointing as the future king and his prior service in Saul's court, David's presence there was intermittent. He regularly returned to Bethlehem to fulfill his humble duties as a shepherd, underscoring God's profound principle of preparing individuals for significant divine callings through faithfulness in ordinary, often unseen, responsibilities. This verse reveals the sovereign hand of God in shaping His chosen instruments in unexpected and unassuming environments.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse, though concise, employs several significant literary devices that enrich its meaning. Irony is powerfully present in the contrast between David's humble shepherding duties and his prior anointing as the future king of Israel and his service in Saul's court. The chosen king is found tending sheep, a seemingly insignificant task, yet one that is divinely preparing him for his grand destiny. Foreshadowing is also evident, as David's role as a shepherd directly prefigures his future as the "shepherd" of Israel, a king who would care for his people as a shepherd cares for his flock. This imagery is deeply embedded in the biblical understanding of leadership and service. Furthermore, the repeated mention of Bethlehem functions as a potent Symbolism of humble beginnings and divine choice, setting the stage for profound future theological connections, particularly to the birthplace of the Messiah. The simple, direct language also contributes to a sense of Verisimilitude, grounding the extraordinary events that follow in the ordinary, daily life of a young man.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, seemingly a simple logistical detail, holds profound theological weight, illustrating God's sovereign hand in the preparation of His chosen instruments, often in unexpected and seemingly mundane circumstances. David's faithfulness in the humble, solitary work of shepherding was not merely a filler activity but a divinely appointed training ground where he cultivated courage, developed practical skills, and deepened his relationship with God. These attributes would prove indispensable for his future kingship and his role as Israel's deliverer. It teaches a vital spiritual principle: true preparation for God's greater callings often occurs in obscurity, through diligent stewardship of present responsibilities, no matter how small or unglamorous they may appear. God does not necessarily call the equipped, but equips the called through their faithfulness in the ordinary, demonstrating His power perfected in weakness.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's story in 1 Samuel 17:15 serves as a powerful and enduring reminder that God's preparatory work in our lives often unfolds in the most unexpected and seemingly insignificant places. In a world that often values visibility, immediate success, and grand opportunities, we are prone to overlook or even disdain humble tasks. Yet, it is frequently in the quiet, mundane, or even obscure seasons that God meticulously shapes our character, hones our skills, and deepens our dependence on Him. Our faithfulness in daily responsibilities—whether at work, in our families, in our studies, or in community service—is not merely a means to an end but a vital part of God's sovereign process for equipping us for future, perhaps greater, callings. This verse encourages us to embrace our present circumstances with diligence and trust, knowing that God is sovereignly at work, even when our path seems circuitous or our contributions feel unseen. It challenges us to find purpose and diligence in every task, understanding that God uses all things to conform us to His will and prepare us for His divine purposes, often through the crucible of ordinary life.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did David keep returning to Bethlehem if he was serving King Saul?
Answer: David's service to King Saul at this point in the narrative was likely not a permanent, full-time position. While he had been introduced to Saul as a skilled musician and armor-bearer (1 Samuel 16:21-23), he was still a young man from a large family in Bethlehem. It was common for individuals to have intermittent or part-time duties in royal courts, especially if they were not yet fully integrated into the king's inner circle or if their family had ongoing responsibilities. David's periodic returns to "feed his father's sheep" indicate that his primary duty remained with his family's flock, providing a crucial contextual detail that explains why he was not continuously with the army when Goliath challenged Israel. This also highlights his continued humility and obedience to his father, Jesse, demonstrating his faithfulness in his assigned duties.
What is the significance of Bethlehem in this verse?
Answer: The mention of Bethlehem is highly significant for several reasons. Firstly, it firmly establishes David's humble origins as a shepherd from a small, unassuming village, contrasting sharply with the grandeur of Saul's court and the military might of the Philistines. This highlights God's consistent pattern of choosing the overlooked and the weak to accomplish His mighty purposes (1 Corinthians 1:27-28). Secondly, and profoundly, Bethlehem holds immense prophetic significance as the prophesied birthplace of the Messiah (Micah 5:2), a prophecy fulfilled centuries later with the birth of Jesus Christ (Matthew 2:1). Thus, David's connection to Bethlehem foreshadows the greater Son of David who would also emerge from this humble town, linking the earthly king to the heavenly King.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 17:15 is far more than a mere biographical detail; it profoundly resonates with the Christ-centered narrative of Scripture, presenting David, the shepherd-king, as a powerful type of Jesus Christ, the ultimate Good Shepherd and King. Just as David was found faithfully tending his father's sheep in the obscurity of Bethlehem, diligently preparing for a kingship he had not yet fully embraced, so too did Jesus spend thirty years in the quiet obscurity of Nazareth, faithfully living a humble life before the commencement of His public ministry. David's willingness to "return from Saul to feed his father's sheep" speaks to a profound humility and obedience that perfectly mirrors Christ's own condescension—leaving the glory of heaven to dwell among humanity, fulfilling the will of His Father (Philippians 2:5-8). The shepherd motif, so central to David's identity and preparation, finds its ultimate and perfect realization in Jesus, who declares Himself the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. Furthermore, Bethlehem, David's city, becomes the very birthplace of Jesus, fulfilling ancient prophecy and solidifying the unbreakable connection between the earthly king and the heavenly King (Matthew 2:1-6). Thus, David's humble service in Bethlehem foreshadows the divine humility and sacrificial shepherding of the Lamb of God, who came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).