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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 1 Samuel 17:31–39. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
David is at length presented to Saul for his champion (Sa1 17:31) and he bravely undertakes to fight the Philistine (Sa1 17:32): Let no man's heart fail because of him. It would have reflected too much upon the valour of his prince if he had said, Let not thy heart fail; therefore he speaks generally: Let no man's heart fail. A little shepherd, come but this morning from keeping sheep, has more courage than all the mighty men of Israel, and encourages them. Thus does God often send good words to his Israel, and do great things for them, by the weak and foolish things of the world. David only desires a commission from Saul to go and fight with the Philistine, but says nothing to him of the reward he had proposed, because that was not the thing he was ambitious of, but only the honour of serving God and his country: nor would he seem to question Saul's generosity. Two things David had to do with Saul: -
I.To get clear of the objection Saul made against his undertaking.
"Alas!" says Saul, "thou hast a good heart to it, but art by no means an equal match for this Philistine. To engage with him is to throw away a life which may better be reserved for more agreeable services. Thou art but a youth, rash and inconsiderate, weak and unversed in arms: he is a man that has the head and hands of a man, a man of war, trained up and inured to it from his youth (Sa1 17:33), and how canst thou expect but that he will be too hard for thee?" David, as he had answered his brother's passion with meekness, so he answered Saul's fear with faith, and gives a reason of the hope which was in him that he should conquer the Philistine, to the satisfaction of Saul. We have reason to fear that Saul had no great acquaintance with nor regard to the word of God, and therefore David, in reasoning with him, fetched not his arguments and encouragements thence, how much soever he had an eye to it in his own mind. But he argues from experience; though he was but a youth, and never in the wars, yet perhaps he had done as much as the killing of Goliath came to, for he had had, by divine assistance, spirit enough to encounter and strength enough to subdue a lion once and another time a bear that robbed him of his lambs, Sa1 17:34-36. To these he compares this uncircumcised Philistine, looks upon him to be as much a ravenous beast as either of them, and therefore doubts not but to deal as easily with him; and hereby he gives Saul to understand that he was not so inexperienced in hazardous combats as he took him to be.
1.He tells his story like a man of spirit. He is not ashamed to own that he kept his father's sheep, which his brother had just now upbraided him with. So far is he from concealing it that from his employment as a shepherd he fetches the experience that now animated him. But he lets those about him know that he was no ordinary shepherd. Whatever our profession or calling is, be it ever so mean, we should labour to excel in it, and do the business of it in the best manner. When David kept sheep,
(1.)He approved himself very careful and tender of his flock, though it was not his own, but his father's. He could not see a lamb in distress but he would venture his life to rescue it. This temper made him fit to be a king, to whom the lives of subjects should be dear and their blood precious (Psa 72:14), and fit to be a type of Christ, the good Shepherd, who gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them in his bosom (Isa 40:11), and who not only ventured, but laid down his life for his sheep. Thus too was David fit to be an example to ministers with the utmost care and diligence to watch for souls, that they be not a prey to the roaring lion.
(2.)He approved himself very bold and brave in the defence of his flock. This was that which he was now concerned to give proof of, and better evidence could not be demanded than this: "Thy servant not only rescued the lambs, but, to revenge the injury, slew both the lion and the bear."
2.He applies his story like a man of faith. He owns (Sa1 17:37) it was the Lord that delivered him from the lion and the bear; to him he gives the praise of that great achievement, and thence he infers, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. "The lion and the bear were enemies only to me and my sheep, and it was in defence of my own interest that I attacked them; but this Philistine is an enemy to God and Israel, defies the armies of the living God, and it is for their honour that I attack him." Note,
(1.)Our experiences ought to be improved by us as our encouragements to trust in God and venture in the way of duty. He that has delivered does and will.
(2.)By the care which common Providence takes of the inferior creatures, and the protection they are under, we may be encouraged to depend upon that special Providence which surrounds the Israel of God. He that sets bounds to the waves of the sea and the rage of wild beasts can and will restrain the wrath of wicked men. Paul seems to allude to this of David (Ti2 4:17, Ti2 4:18), I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion, and therefore, I trust, the Lord shall deliver me. And perhaps David here thought of the story of Samson, and encouraged himself with it; for his slaying a lion was a happy presage of his many illustrious victories over the Philistines in single combat. Thus David took off Saul's objection against his undertaking, and gained a commission to fight the Philistine, with which Saul gave him a hearty good wish; since he would not venture himself, he prayed for him that would: Go, and the Lord be with thee, a good word, if it was not spoken customarily, and in a formal manner, as too often it is. But David has somewhat to do likewise,
II.To get clear of the armour wherewith Saul would, by all means, have him dressed up when he went upon this great action (Sa1 17:38):
He armed David with his armour, not that which he wore himself, the disproportion of his stature would not admit that, but some that he kept in his armoury, little thinking that he on whom he now put his helmet and coat of mail must shortly inherit his crown and robe. David, being not yet resolved which way to attack his enemy, girded on his sword, not knowing, as yet, but he should have occasion to make use of it; but he found the armour would but encumber him, and would be rather his burden than his defence, and therefore he desires leave of Saul to put them off again: I cannot go with these, for I have not proved them, that is, "I have never been accustomed to such accoutrements as these." We may suppose Saul's armour was both very fine and very firm, but what good would it do David if it were not fit, or if he knew not how to manage himself in it? Those that aim at things above their education and usage, and covet the attire and armour of princes, forget that that is the best for us which we are fit for and accustomed to; if we had our desire, we should wish to be in our own coat again, and should say, "We cannot go with these;" we had therefore better go without them.
Historical interpretation
Three Centuries of Reception
2 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
But as David who took hold of the beard seized the lion, so let us beg the spiritual David, Christ, when taking hold of the lion, to abolish also every Sanhedrin of beasts.
When David had been anointed by blessed Samuel before he came here, he had killed a lion and a bear without any weapons, as he himself told King Saul. Both the lion and the bear typified the devil, for they had been strangled by the strength of David for having dared to attack some of his sheep. All that we read prefigured in David at that time, dearly beloved, we know was accomplished in our Lord Jesus Christ; for he strangled the lion and the bear when he descended into hell to free all the saints from their jaws. Moreover, listen to the prophet entreating the person of our Lord: “Rescue my soul from the sword, my loneliness from the grip of the dog. Save me from the lion’s mouth.” Since a bear possesses his strength in his paw and a lion has his in his mouth, the same devil is prefigured in those two beasts. Thus, this was said concerning the person of Christ, in order that his sole church might be removed from the hand, that is, the power or mouth of the devil.
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Summary
1 Samuel 17:35 presents David's compelling testimony to King Saul, vividly recounting his solitary, divinely empowered battles against a lion and a bear to protect his flock. This verse not only highlights David's extraordinary courage, physical prowess, and unwavering commitment as a shepherd, but also profoundly underscores his deep reliance on God's strength, serving as a pivotal prelude to his legendary confrontation with Goliath. It powerfully reveals the character and faith of a young man uniquely prepared by divine providence for a greater destiny.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is a crucial component of David's impassioned plea to King Saul, recorded within the broader narrative of 1 Samuel 17. The Israelite army stands paralyzed by fear, facing the daily taunts of the Philistine giant Goliath. David, a young shepherd, arrives at the battlefield and is profoundly indignant at Goliath's blasphemous defiance of the living God. When he volunteers to confront the giant, Saul dismisses him as an inexperienced youth. In response, David recounts his past experiences protecting his flock, specifically detailing in 1 Samuel 17:34 how a lion and a bear attacked his sheep. Verse 35 then provides the dramatic climax of these encounters, demonstrating David's proactive, relentless, and ultimately victorious response, thereby establishing his divinely-sanctioned credentials as a warrior uniquely prepared to face Goliath.
Historical & Cultural Context
Shepherding in ancient Israel was far from a pastoral idyll; it was a demanding and perilous occupation, especially in wilderness regions where formidable predators like lions and bears were common. Shepherds bore sole responsibility for the welfare of their flock, often risking their own lives to protect individual sheep, which represented significant family wealth, sustenance, and social standing. The act of grabbing an animal (or human) "by the beard" or jowls was a culturally understood gesture of absolute control and dominance in a life-or-death struggle. David's actions reflect the fierce, protective instinct expected of a good shepherd, a role that also carried profound spiritual symbolism in Israel, frequently associated with leadership, divine care, and the kingly office, as beautifully articulated in Psalm 23. His youth and lack of formal military training would have made his accounts even more astonishing and compelling to Saul and the Israelite army, underscoring the extraordinary, almost miraculous, nature of his feats.
Key Themes
David's vivid account in this verse powerfully illustrates several overarching themes central to the book of 1 Samuel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights Divine Empowerment and Deliverance, as David explicitly attributes his victories over these formidable predators to the Lord's protective hand (1 Samuel 17:37). His ability to overcome such powerful beasts points to a strength beyond his natural capabilities, serving as a clear foreshadowing of God's deliverance from Goliath. Secondly, it underscores Courage and Faith, demonstrating that David's bravery was not reckless bravado but a deep-seated trust in God's sovereign power and protective presence, enabling him to confront overwhelming odds with unwavering conviction. Thirdly, the narrative serves as a profound example of Preparation for Greater Tasks, revealing how God sovereignly uses seemingly ordinary, isolated, and dangerous experiences to train, equip, and mold the character and confidence of individuals for monumental callings, shaping David for his future role as Israel's king. Finally, it exemplifies The Shepherd's Sacrificial Protection, a theme that resonates deeply with the biblical metaphor of God as the ultimate Shepherd of His people, willing to lay down His life for His flock.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This verb signifies to rescue, snatch away, or draw out, often from imminent danger or oppression. In this context, it emphasizes David's success in retrieving the lamb from the predator's jaws, highlighting his commitment not merely to defeating the threat but to recovering and restoring what was lost. It speaks to a complete act of salvation for the imperiled lamb, underscoring David's role as a faithful protector.
This primitive root means "to fasten upon," "to seize," or "to be strong." Here, it vividly portrays David's daring, intimate, and physically demanding struggle. It suggests a close-quarters, wrestling match where David gained a firm, controlling grip over the powerful beast, demonstrating immense strength, tenacity, and fearlessness in neutralizing the threat.
While literally referring to facial hair, in the context of an animal, it likely refers to the jowls, mane, or a similar area that would allow for a secure, controlling grip. This detail paints a visceral picture of David's audacious and direct engagement, signifying his complete dominance over the powerful predator in a life-or-death struggle, showcasing his extraordinary courage and physical might.
Verse Breakdown
"And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered [it] out of his mouth:"
This initial clause describes David's proactive and successful pursuit of the predator, whether the lion or the bear, as referenced in 1 Samuel 17:34. This is not a passive defense, but an aggressive pursuit of the threat. David actively chased the beast, engaged it in combat ("smote him"), and, crucially, successfully rescued the lamb from its deadly grip. The phrase "delivered it out of his mouth" emphasizes the complete and successful recovery of the prey, highlighting David's unwavering commitment to his flock.
"and when he arose against me, I caught [him] by his beard, and smote him, and slew him."
This second part of the verse details the escalation and ultimate, decisive victory in the confrontation. After the initial attack and retrieval of the lamb, the predator (likely the bear, as the lion's fate is implied to be resolved in the preceding narrative) turned its aggression directly upon David. David's response was not retreat but an audacious, direct, and intimate engagement—grabbing the powerful beast by a vulnerable yet dangerous point. This act of "catching him by his beard" signifies a bold, close-quarters grapple, showcasing David's incredible strength, courage, and determination to neutralize the threat entirely. The repetition of "smote him" and the conclusive "slew him" confirm the decisive and fatal outcome of the struggle, demonstrating David's complete triumph.
Literary Devices
The narrative in 1 Samuel 17:35 employs several powerful literary devices that amplify its impact and meaning. Vivid Imagery is paramount, painting a clear and visceral picture of David's daring confrontation with the wild beasts. Phrases like "caught him by his beard" evoke a strong sense of the close-quarters, life-or-death struggle, allowing the listener or reader to visualize the intensity of the battle. The entire account functions as Foreshadowing, meticulously preparing both Saul and the reader for David's later, greater triumph over Goliath. The seemingly isolated incidents with the lion and bear are presented as divine training, building David's confidence and explicitly demonstrating God's protective hand, thus setting the stage for the monumental challenge of the Philistine giant. Furthermore, the passage uses Hyperbole (or at least a heightened narrative style) to emphasize the extraordinary nature of David's feats, making his victories over such formidable animals seem almost superhuman, thereby amplifying his faith and God's power working through him. This narrative also functions as a Type, where David, the courageous shepherd-deliverer, prefigures a greater deliverer and shepherd to come.
Theological and Thematic Connections
David's recounting of his encounters with the lion and the bear is far more than a mere display of physical prowess; it is a profound theological statement of divine reliance and empowerment. He attributes his ability to overcome these formidable beasts not to his own strength alone, but explicitly to the Lord's deliverance. This conviction highlights the profound theme of divine empowerment, where God equips and enables His servants to accomplish tasks far beyond their natural abilities. David's courage is deeply rooted in his faith, demonstrating that true bravery in the face of overwhelming odds stems from an unwavering trust in a sovereign God who actively protects and delivers His own. This experience was God's intentional training ground, preparing David for the monumental task of facing Goliath and, ultimately, for leading Israel as its king. It underscores the timeless biblical principle that faithfulness in "small" tasks, especially those requiring reliance on God, prepares us for "greater" ones, and that God's protective hand is evident in every battle, whether seemingly insignificant or overwhelmingly grand.
Reflection and Application
David's testimony in 1 Samuel 17:35 offers timeless and profound lessons for believers navigating the multifaceted challenges of life. His willingness to pursue and confront dangerous predators for the sake of a single lamb exemplifies a profound sense of responsibility, sacrificial love, and unwavering commitment to his entrusted charge. This account encourages us to recognize that the "small" battles we face—those seemingly insignificant moments where we are called to depend on God's strength—are often divine preparations for larger, more daunting challenges ahead. Just as David's faithfulness and courage as a shepherd prepared him to face Goliath, our daily acts of courage, integrity, and reliance on God in seemingly minor struggles build the character and faith necessary to confront the "giants" in our own lives—whether they manifest as fear, adversity, spiritual attacks, or seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It reminds us that God is actively involved in our protection and equipping, and that our past victories, empowered by Him, serve as powerful testimonies to His faithfulness, bolstering our confidence for future battles and reinforcing our trust in His unfailing hand.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Was David's act of catching the lion/bear by its beard a common or advisable tactic for a shepherd?
From a modern, practical perspective, directly engaging a large, powerful predator by its "beard" or jowls seems incredibly reckless and dangerous, certainly not a common or advisable tactic for a shepherd. However, David's account highlights not a standard method, but an extraordinary act of courage and strength, profoundly empowered by divine assistance. In ancient times, shepherds were often armed with staffs and slings, but a close-quarters grapple like this would indicate either extreme desperation, immense personal fortitude, or, more significantly, supernatural enablement. It was likely not a "common" tactic but a testament to David's unique resolve and, crucially, God's protective hand, emphasizing the miraculous nature of his deliverance, as he himself explicitly states in 1 Samuel 17:37, attributing his survival and victory solely to the Lord.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
David's fierce protection of his flock, culminating in his willingness to risk his very life against a lion and a bear, serves as a profound and beautiful foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, the ultimate Good Shepherd. Just as David "delivered [it] out of his mouth" and "slew him" to rescue a single lamb from the jaws of death, Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, laid down His own life to deliver His flock from the ultimate predators: sin, death, and the devil. David's courageous confrontation with the wild beasts prefigures Christ's decisive victory over the "roaring lion," Satan (1 Peter 5:8), and His triumph over the power of the grave. The shepherd's willingness to sacrifice for his sheep finds its perfect, most glorious fulfillment in Christ, who declared, "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." David's reliance on God's empowerment to overcome natural threats points directly to Christ's inherent divine authority and power to conquer spiritual enemies, securing eternal deliverance and salvation for all who are His.