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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.
However, the Philistine came forward morning and evening, etc. The number of forty days, during which the Philistine came forward and stood against Israel, represents all the time of the Church, during which it struggles in this life and, with the aid of the grace of the Gospel, tries to fulfill the Decalogue of the law amid the snares of the ancient enemy. Every day, he comes forward to tempt, morning and evening; for he tries to corrupt either the beginnings or the end of all our works of light. He terrifies the weak morning and evening, whom he struggles to overpower either by adversities or by prosperities; the same time of the struggling Church is specifically expressed in its head, when He was in the desert for forty days and was tempted by Satan. But the cunning tempter, who long rejoiced in having conquered the first Adam, perpetually grieves in being defeated by the second.
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SUMMARY
1 Samuel 17:16 vividly portrays the agonizing and protracted standoff between the Israelite and Philistine armies, specifically emphasizing the relentless psychological torment inflicted by Goliath of Gath. For an unrelenting forty days, from morning until evening, the Philistine champion presented himself, issuing his terrifying challenge and thereby exposing the profound fear, spiritual paralysis, and national humiliation gripping Israel. This verse powerfully underscores the immense pressure and the deep spiritual crisis that meticulously set the stage for God's dramatic and unexpected intervention through an unlikely champion.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is strategically placed within the climactic narrative of the confrontation between Israel and the Philistines in the Valley of Elah. Immediately preceding this, the formidable Philistine champion, Goliath of Gath, has boldly stepped forward, issuing a singular and terrifying challenge: a one-on-one combat to determine the fate of the two nations. The Israelite army, including their king, Saul, and all Israel, is utterly paralyzed by fear, unable to produce a champion to answer Goliath's taunts. Therefore, 1 Samuel 17:16 serves to underscore the excruciating duration and the relentless, demoralizing nature of this stalemate, detailing how Goliath's intimidating presence became a daily, twice-daily ordeal that ground down the morale of the Israelite forces, meticulously setting the scene for the providential arrival of David.
Historical & Cultural Context: The period of Saul's reign was characterized by frequent and often brutal conflicts with the Philistines, a powerful, technologically superior (due to their mastery of ironwork) people who occupied the fertile coastal plain and posed a constant, existential threat to Israelite sovereignty. The Valley of Elah was a recurring battleground, strategically positioned as a natural corridor between the Philistine territories and the Judean highlands. The practice of single combat, while not an everyday occurrence, was a recognized ancient Near Eastern custom intended to resolve disputes between armies without incurring the full devastation of a widespread war, effectively placing the destiny of entire nations on the shoulders of two chosen champions. Goliath's persistent, daily "presentation" was far more than a mere taunt; it was a calculated and sophisticated act of psychological warfare, meticulously designed to break the morale of the Israelite army and force their surrender through sustained intimidation, exploiting their palpable fear and perceived weakness in the absence of a champion.
Key Themes: This verse profoundly contributes to several overarching theological and narrative themes woven throughout 1 Samuel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of Persistent Intimidation and Psychological Warfare, as Goliath's daily, relentless appearance aimed to systematically demoralize and break the spirit of the Israelite army, exposing their profound vulnerability and lack of faith. Secondly, the explicit mention of "forty days" carries immense biblical weight, frequently symbolizing a divinely appointed period of testing, trial, purification, or preparation. This motif is seen in Noah's forty days of rain, Israel's forty years in the wilderness, and Jesus' forty days of temptation. In this specific context, it underscores the profound and prolonged test of Israel's faith and courage, revealing their utter inability to act without God's direct and sovereign intervention. This leads directly to the third crucial theme: Human Inadequacy and the Absolute Need for Divine Intervention. The extended stalemate and Israel's complete paralysis underscore their desperate and undeniable need for God to act decisively, thereby setting the stage for a dramatic demonstration of His power through an unexpected and seemingly unqualified champion, ultimately magnifying the glory of God rather than any human strength or military prowess.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Philistine (Hebrew, Pᵉlishtî, H6430): While the text literally states "the Philistine," it refers specifically to Goliath of Gath, the formidable champion introduced in 1 Samuel 17:4. The Philistines were one of Israel's most formidable and persistent enemies during the period of the Judges and early monarchy, often symbolizing the overwhelming opposition God's people faced. Goliath, as their chosen champion, embodies their military might and serves as a tangible representation of the spiritual and physical challenges Israel confronted, particularly as their God-appointed king and army failed to respond in faith.
drew near (Hebrew, nâgash, H5066): This verb conveys more than simple physical proximity; it implies an intentional act of approaching with a specific, often confrontational, purpose, or to present oneself formally. In this context, it signifies Goliath's deliberate, defiant, and menacing daily advance towards the Israelite lines. He did not merely observe; he actively moved forward to issue his challenge, hurl taunts, and engage in psychological warfare, ensuring his overwhelming presence was felt and his terrifying threat was undeniable, leaving no doubt about his intentions.
forty days (Hebrew, 'arbâ‘îym H705, yôwm, H705): The number forty holds profound symbolic weight throughout biblical narratives, consistently denoting a significant and often divinely appointed period of testing, purification, judgment, or preparation. It is not merely a chronological count but signifies a complete or sufficient duration for a divine purpose to unfold. Here, it represents the full, agonizing extent of Israel's prolonged trial, highlighting their utter paralysis, the depth of their fear, and their spiritual inadequacy, thereby meticulously setting the stage for and magnifying the eventual demonstration of God's power through David's unexpected and miraculous victory.
Verse Breakdown
"And the Philistine drew near morning and evening": This clause meticulously describes Goliath's relentless, consistent, and psychologically impactful action. His "drawing near" was a ritualistic, twice-daily performance, precisely engineered to maximize its psychological impact on the Israelite forces. The phrase "morning and evening" signifies the entirety of the day, from dawn to dusk, ensuring no respite or escape from his intimidating presence for the Israelite army. This continuous, pervasive presence was a calculated strategy to systematically wear down their morale, instill constant and pervasive fear, and highlight their debilitating inability to produce a champion, thereby creating an atmosphere of profound and inescapable dread.
"and presented himself forty days": This specifies the excruciating and protracted duration of Goliath's taunting and defiant display. The act of "presented himself" implies a public, defiant, and repeated challenge, a theatrical display of power and contempt. The "forty days" is a crucial, deeply symbolic detail, emphasizing the protracted nature of the standoff and the profound depth of Israel's paralysis and spiritual crisis. As noted in the Key Word Analysis, "forty" frequently denotes a period of intense testing or divine preparation in Scripture, strongly suggesting that this extended trial was divinely permitted and orchestrated to expose Israel's inherent weakness and prepare the way for God's dramatic, sovereign intervention.
Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message and emotional weight. The phrase "morning and evening" functions as a powerful form of Repetition and Merism, signifying the totality, ceaselessness, and unrelenting nature of Goliath's challenge. It intensely underscores the psychological torment inflicted upon the Israelites, who found no escape from his pervasive and intimidating presence. The "forty days" is rich in Symbolism, drawing on a common biblical motif for periods of intense testing, purification, or divine preparation. This extended duration amplifies the sense of national crisis and highlights the profound spiritual paralysis and lack of faith within Israel under King Saul's leadership. Furthermore, the entire scene, particularly the prolonged and agonizing stalemate described in this verse, serves as powerful Foreshadowing for the dramatic and unexpected entrance of David. The extreme nature of the challenge and the Israelites' utter inability to respond meticulously sets the stage for God to demonstrate His power through an unexpected and seemingly unqualified champion, thereby magnifying the divine victory and diminishing any human claim to glory. The implied Hyperbole of Goliath's overwhelming physical presence and the universal, paralyzing fear it inspires further emphasizes the immense magnitude of the challenge David would eventually, by God's power, overcome.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The prolonged standoff described in 1 Samuel 17:16 profoundly illustrates the foundational theological principle that human strength, military might, and even royal authority are ultimately insufficient without divine empowerment and unwavering faith. Israel, with its king and army, was utterly paralyzed by fear, unable to respond to Goliath's challenge, revealing a deep spiritual malaise. This period of intense psychological pressure and national humiliation served a divine purpose: to expose the spiritual weakness of the nation and its leadership, particularly King Saul, who consistently relied on human wisdom, physical prowess, and military strategy rather than wholeheartedly trusting in the Lord. The "forty days" of relentless taunting created a profound spiritual vacuum, a desperate and undeniable need for God to act, demonstrating unequivocally that the battle truly belongs to Him (1 Samuel 17:47). He often chooses the weak, the unexpected, and the seemingly unqualified to accomplish His mighty purposes, thereby ensuring that all glory, honor, and praise redound solely to His holy name.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The enduring lesson from Goliath's forty-day challenge resonates deeply with the universal human experience of prolonged trials and persistent adversaries. Just as Goliath presented himself relentlessly, "morning and evening," we too encounter "giants" in our lives—be it chronic illness, debilitating financial hardship, intractable relational conflict, relentless spiritual attacks, or pervasive systemic injustices—that do not quickly dissipate. This verse serves as a powerful and timeless reminder that God often allows such extended periods of testing, not to break us, but to expose our inherent reliance on self, to refine and purify our faith, and to cultivate within us a profound and desperate hunger for His sovereign intervention. It calls us to actively resist the debilitating paralysis of fear and despair that gripped Israel, and instead, to cultivate a steadfast, unwavering trust in God's perfect timing and His ultimate, omnipotent power to overcome any obstacle, no matter how formidable, persistent, or seemingly insurmountable. Our "waiting" periods are never empty or purposeless; they are often crucial, divinely orchestrated preparations for God to powerfully reveal His strength in our weakness and to unequivocally demonstrate that the victory truly belongs to Him alone.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Goliath challenge Israel for so long?
Answer: Goliath's prolonged challenge was a deliberate, sophisticated, and highly effective strategy of psychological warfare. By presenting himself "morning and evening" for forty days, he aimed to systematically demoralize the Israelite army, break their will to fight, and induce surrender without the necessity of a full-scale, bloody battle. This constant taunting, combined with his overwhelming physical presence and display of power, exploited the Israelites' deep-seated fear and their crippling inability to produce a champion. His persistent, defiant presence was a calculated move designed to highlight their perceived weakness and his overwhelming strength, ultimately seeking to secure victory through attrition and intimidation rather than direct combat.
What is the significance of "forty days" in this context?
Answer: The number forty holds profound and consistent symbolic weight throughout the Bible, frequently denoting a divinely appointed period of intense testing, trial, purification, or preparation. For example, Noah's flood lasted forty days, Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years before entering the Promised Land, and Jesus was tempted in the wilderness for forty days before beginning His public ministry. In 1 Samuel 17:16, the "forty days" signifies the full, agonizing extent of Israel's prolonged trial and the profound depth of their fear and national paralysis. It was a divinely permitted and orchestrated period designed to expose their human inadequacy and spiritual weakness, and to meticulously set the stage for God to dramatically demonstrate His power through an unexpected champion, thereby ensuring that the glory for the eventual victory would belong solely to Him.
Why didn't Saul or any Israelite fight Goliath earlier?
Answer: The biblical text explicitly states that Saul and all Israel were "dismayed and greatly afraid" of Goliath. Goliath's immense size, formidable armor, terrifying challenge, and reputation as a seasoned warrior instilled such paralyzing fear that no one, including King Saul himself, dared to face him. King Saul, despite being physically taller and more imposing than anyone else in Israel (1 Samuel 9:2), lacked the spiritual courage, faith, and reliance on God necessary to confront the giant. This profound paralysis highlights Israel's tragic reliance on human strength and outward appearance rather than on divine power and faith. Ultimately, this desperate situation meticulously set the scene for David, a young shepherd boy driven by unwavering faith in the Lord, to step forward and demonstrate that "the battle belongs to the Lord" (1 Samuel 17:47).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The prolonged and seemingly insurmountable challenge of Goliath, as meticulously detailed in 1 Samuel 17:16, serves as a powerful and profound foreshadowing of the ultimate, far greater "giant" that humanity faced: the oppressive dominion of sin, the sting of death, and the tyrannical power of Satan. Just as Goliath relentlessly taunted and held Israel captive in fear, these spiritual adversaries held all of humanity in a state of bondage, presenting a challenge that no human champion, no king, and no army could ever hope to overcome. However, in the fullness of God's perfect timing, He sent His own beloved Son, Jesus Christ, the true and eternal champion. Unlike King Saul, who was paralyzed by fear and human inadequacy, Jesus willingly and courageously confronted the ultimate enemy. He endured His own intense "forty days" of temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), demonstrating perfect obedience and unwavering faithfulness where Israel and its kings had repeatedly failed. On the cross, Jesus faced the ultimate "Philistine"—the full weight and power of sin and death—and through His glorious resurrection, He delivered the decisive, fatal blow, triumphing decisively over all principalities and powers (Colossians 2:15). He is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the one who fought the spiritual battle that humanity was utterly incapable of fighting, securing eternal victory, liberation, and reconciliation for all who believe in Him. His victory is not merely a historical event but a present, living reality, empowering believers to overcome their own "giants" and challenges through His indwelling strength, for He has indeed overcome the world.