Ver. 1. Now the Philistines gathered together.] They hearing of the breach between Saul and Samuel, whose piety and prayers had been dreadful and baneful to them, as also of Saul’s frantic fits, rendering him unfit to lead an army; but especially being stirred up by God to undertake this expedition for the accomplishment of his ends, they again invade the land of Israel: “ Atque Philisthaeis redit in praecordia virtus. ”
Ver. 2. By the valley of Elah.] So called from the store of oaks that grew there. Ad convallem querceti. Tremel.
Ver. 3. And the Philistines stood on a mountain, &c.] Thus the two armies stood long facing one another; expecting who should begin, and waiting for advantages. In like sort when the Caliph of Egypt came against Baldwin II, king of Jerusalem, both the armies lay the one facing the other for three months’ time, and then rose, -the Christians fearing the multitude of the Turks, and the Turks the valour of the Christians, -and so returned without any notable thing done. And so they might have done here, had not David undertaken the giant. Turk. Hist., fol. 27.
Ver. 4. And there went out a champion.] Intermedius, sequester, duellio. The Vulgate calleth him a bastard: and it is held by some that those old giants were the devil’s brats, and that there was none of them good, no not one, but all αντιθεοι, and θεομαχοι, fighters against God. This man was of the race of the Rephaims. See Joshua 11:22. Whose height was six cubits and a span.] Hence his presumption, which is the presage and cause of ruin— “ Magna repente ruunt, summa cadunt subito. ” Δυνατος.— Sept. Josephus thinks they were begotten of Incubi devils.
Ver. 5. And he had an helmet of brass (or steel) upon his head.] Which yet could not save his head. No armour is of proof against the Almighty. If he set himself against a man, no other helps can relieve him. Brass and steel cannot fence one against fire and water. “Now God is a consuming fire,” and his “breath a stream of brimstone.” (Isaiah 30:33) And he was armed with a coat of mail.] Lorica squamata, like fish scales, one lying over another, to ward off deadly darts, or other weapons of war, leviathan like. Five thousand shekels of brass.] That is, One hundred and fifty-six pounds, and more, besides all the weight of his other arms; which yet he could well wield and make use of in fight.
Ver. 6. And he had greaves (or leg-harness) of brass.] So that he was substantially armed cap-a-pie, [head to foot] as they say, and might seem to be a walking armory.
Ver. 7. And one bearing a shield.] For state’s sake. He came into the field like thunder and lightning, but went out like a snuff.
Ver. 8. Am not I a Philistine?] Palesthinas ille; that famous Philistine, on whom all my nation leaneth and layeth their weight; who also have done for them so many exploits? And ye servants to Saul?] Whom you look upon as a tall fellow, but to me he is a very dwarf, a Zany; of no prowess or power to look me in the face. Choose you a man for you.] A champion, a dueller.
Ver. 9. If he be able, … then will we be your servants.] Thus of old the Romans and Albans put the trial of the common cause upon the hazard of three champions on each side. Our ordinary duellers who, like those youngsters of Helkath Hazzurim, (2 Samuel 2:14-16) sheath their swords in their fellows’ bowels, are doubtless set on by that old manslayer, that he may feed upon them both at once, as the cock-pit-masters do upon their cocks of the game. What David did in this monomachy [duel], was by a singular instinct of God.
Ver. 10. I defy the armies of Israel.] This man’s insolence and self-confidence do plainly prove his heart to be nothing else but a piece of proud flesh. But God will shortly cut off those arrogant lips, and the “tongue that speaketh proud things.” (Psalms 12:3,4)
Ver. 11. They were dismayed, and greatly afraid.] Even valiant Jonathan also, who both knew the promises, and had lately found the performance in that glorious conquest he had over these Philistines. (1 Samuel 14:13-15) But it is the Lord who strengtheneth and weakeneth the arm of either party, (Ezekiel 30:24) and he had decreed that David should have the glory of the day.
Ver. 12. And he had eight sons.] See on 1 Samuel 16:10. And the man went among men for an old man.] Not fit to bear arms as his sons were. But what meant the Chaldee Paraphrast here to say that Jesse was numbered bebichirova, among the choice, or young men?
Ver. 13. And the three eldest sons of Jesse went.] These were sent by their old father, who held it “ Dulce et decorum pro patria mori. ’’— Horat. Delightful and glorious to die for your country.
Ver. 14. And David was the youngest.] Yet second to none of them in valour; which yet he is not too forward to put forth, till fairly called to it. One would have thought that Jesse, who knew of David’s anointing, should have sent him above all the rest of his sons to the wars. But God had a holy hand in all.