fice. And he sanctified Jesse and his!! sons and called them to the sacrifice.

6 And it came to pass when they were come, that he looked on "Eliab, and said, "Surely the LORD's anointed is before him. 7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, • Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD P seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

V. 14. When the Spirit of God came on David, it became evident that he had departed from than eighteen or twenty years of age,) and be-Saul, and that he was deprived of his capacity

in playing, and a mighty valiant man,|| David, I pray thee, stand before me: for and a man of war, and prudent in mat- he hath found favor in my sight. ters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.

h

19 Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.

20 And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid,

23 And it came to pass, when "the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so° Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

CHAP. XVII.

and sent them by David his son unto Saul. The armies of Israel and of the Philistines are drawn out to bat21 And David came to Saul, and I stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armor-bearer. to Jesse, saying, Let

22 And Saul sent

g 17:32--36. 2 Sam. 17:8.
*Or, speech.

h 3:19. 10:7. 18:12-14. Gen.
39:2,23. Matt. 1:23. 28:20.
11. 17:15,33,34. Ex. 3:1-10.1
Kings 19:19. Ps. 78:70-72,
13:3. Am. 1:1, 7:14,15. Matt.

tle, 1-3. Goliath challenges, defies, and dismays the Israelites, 4-11. David is sent to the army to visit his brethren, 1219. He hears the challenge of Goliath and expresses indignation at it, 20-27. Eliab rebukes him, and he answers mildly, 23-30. He is brought before Saul, accepts the challenge, and states the grounds of his confidence, 31-37. He refuses Saul's armor; and takes only his staff, a sling, and stones, 38-40. Goliath disdains and curses him, 41-44. David answers, expressing his assured confidence in God, 45-47. He kills Goliath and cuts off his head, 48-51. The Philistines are routed, 52, 53. David returns with Goliath's head in his hand; and answers Saul's inquiries concerning him, 54-58.

ably, proposing salvation through the sacrifice of a Redeemer, and speaking terror to none, except to those who neglect so great salvation. (Note, Matt. 10:11-15. P. O. 7—15.)-There is a preparation of heart required for receiving this atonement and reconciliation, as well as for attending on divine ordinances; the instruction, converse, and prayers of faithful ministers are very useful in both cases, to those who desire to profit by them; and parents ought not needlessly to permit their children to be absent on such favorable opportunities. It is difficult wholly to divest ourselves of partiality for those, who are recommended by external accomplishments; and we often frame an erroneous judgment of characters: but the Lord values nothing, in comparison with that holy faith, fear, and love, which are implanted in the heart beyond the reach of human penetration. Nor does he favor our children according to our fond partialities; but often most honors and blesses those who have been the least regarded.-His method of educating men for im portant stations of usefulness, differs much from those which human wisdom has devised. For humble industry and obedient attention to obscure duties, contemplation, retired devotion, and a patient self-denying assiduity, constitute the best preparation for serving the cause of God and

for public business, and performed nothing prudently or successfully: nay, that an evil spirit was judicially permitted to impel him to the most furious sallies of rage or jealousy; to oppress his spirits with a deep melancholy; to excite distressing terrors, alarms and suspicions; and to render him at times distracted. (Marg. Ref. d.) V. 15-23. Saul's courtiers evidently perceived the change which had taken place, and ascribed it to the right cause: though their language seems less accurate than that of the historian; the original words being, "an evil spirit of God," meaning one whom God permitted to trouble Saul.The device proposed by them might be very proper for soothing the melancholy of Saul, and calming his passions: (Note, 2 Kings 3:15.) but the cause of his malady lay much deeper; and it would have been better counsel, if they had persuaded him to send for Samuel to converse with him and pray for him.-However, the hand of the Lord was manifest in thus bringing David to court. After his anointing he had in a little time by various ways signalized himself, so that he was much noticed; (Note, 17:34-37.) and especially his peculiar skill in playing on the harp, was remarked by some person who attended on Saul. Thus he was introduced to him, and his solemn sacred music was far more suitable to the church. When sinners, by resisting the Holy case, than more amusing strains would have been. He came to Saul with a very high character, Spirit, have provoked him finally to depart, they which he did not disgrace; he was useful to him, are exposed to every incursion of Satan, and are and for a time beloved by him: and yet, whenkely to become tormentors of themselves and of Saul no longer wanted him, he returned back to his flocks as contented as ever, and was soon forgotten at court. (Notes, 17:15,55-58.)

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.

others; nay, their friends may perceive, that they are given up by God in his righteous displeasure, without taking warning by their awful case. Indeed we none of us have the least security, either for our bodies or souls, against the malignity of Our most reasonable and disinterested sorrow evil spirits, except in the protection of that God, may be so excessive, as to imply rebellion against whom, alas! we are continually provoking. (P. the righteous will of God; and he will then re- O. Job 1:6-12.)-When conscious guilt, and buke us, as well as encourage us under our dis- fears of divine vengeance, disorder the minds of tresses.-We ought not inconsolably to mourn men, those who perceive their distress, but unfor such as the Lord has rejected; but should derstand neither the cause nor the cure, are apt rather rejoice in those whom he is calling forth to propose very fatal methods of relief: and muto usefulness: and no partial affection should in- sic, diversion, company, or business, have for a terfere with present duty.-The most eminent season been frequently employed, as a successful believers are not entirely superior to the fear of quietus for a wounded conscience. Yet nothing man, when dangerous services are assigned them. can effect a real cure, except the blood of Christ But the Lord will inwardly strengthen and out-applied in faith, and the sanctifying Spirit sealing wardly protect them: and, without immediate the pardon by his holy comforts: all other experevelation, he can, by his word and Spirit, shewdients to dispel religious melancholy, are sure them step by step what they ought to do.-The methods of increasing distress, either in this guilty conscience trembles at a message from world or in the next, and perhaps in both.heaven: yet the ministers of Christ come peace- Every endowment, which may be usefully exerVOL. II.

9

[65

NOW

a

TOW the Philistines gathered to-one bearing a shield went before him. gether their armies to battle, and 8 And he stood and cried unto the arwere gathered together at Shochoh, mies of Israel, and said unto them, Why which belongeth to Judah, and pitched be- are ye come out to set your battle in artween Shochoh and Azekah, in * Ephes-ray? am not I a Philistine, and ye serdammim. vants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.

2 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines.

3 And the Philistines stood on a moun-, tain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there! was a valley between them.

4 And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.

e

5 And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail: and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.

6 And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders.

7 And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam, and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and

cised in subserviency to godliness, is to be ascribed to the energy of the divine Spirit: opportunities will be afforded for its being displayed; and if the Lord be graciously with us, they will be suitably improved: while good behavior in inferior stations is the best introduction to higher advancement. Thus Jesus was obedient unto death, before he was exalted to his glorious throne: and thus he trains up his people, by obedience, in the midst of temptation and trouble, for their future inheritance in the regions of purity and felicity.

NOTES.

12 T Now David was the son of that P Ephrathite of Beth-lehem-judah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.

13 And the three eldest sons of Jesse I went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the first born, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third s Shammah.

was

the weight of his armor shews that his bulk and strength were proportionable. For his coat of mail weighed above 200 pounds troy weight, and his spear's head in proportion. (Tables.)—Some indeed suppose, that the price or value meant: but the value of any thing is generally, if not always, computed by shekels of silver or gold, not of brass. Probably, men in general were about the same size as at present; for such giants then caused as much surprise as they would now. (Note, Num. 13:33.)

V. 8-10. This challenge of Goliath greatly increased the consternation of the Israelites; as if they must needs become slaves to the Philisre-tines, unless some one of them could overcome the champion: but no nation ever did, or ever will, suffer its liberties and interests to be disposed of in such a manner.-It is probable that Goliath was one of the lords of the Philistines; and that he deemed it a kind of condescension in him, to fight with one of Saul's servants.

CHAP. XVII. V. 1. (Marg. Ref.) Saul had peatedly allowed the Philistines time to recover strength and courage; and probably the report of the disordered state of his mind emboldened them to this invasion: yet the Lord so ordered it, that he was in some measure recovered before the war began. It is uncertain how long this was after the transactions before recorded; but probably three or four years had elapsed. To suppose, as many have done, that this invasion preceded David's first appearance at court, gives a needless and inadmissible disturbance to the narrative. (Notes, 15,55-58.)

V. 4-7. (Marg. Ref.) A champion. (4) Or, a dueller; one who came between the two armies, as wishing to distinguish himself in single combat. (Note, Ps. 9: title.)-Goliath was of the race of Anak. (Notes, Josh. 11:21-23. 15:14. Judg. 1: 10-15. 2 Sam. 21:15-22.) On the most moderale computation he was above ten feet high: and|

V. 11. When the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, he lost much of his former courage; otherwise, depending on the God of Israel, he might have assaulted the army of the Philistines, and at once have silenced the proud boastings of Goliath. (Notes, 11:6-15. 16:14.) His timidity disheartened the army likewise; for faith and piety were evidently at a low ebb among them. Nor had Jonathan the same inward intimation to engage in this service, as he formerly had to undertake one at least equally perilous; the Lord having reserved it for David. (Notes, 14:1-15. V. 12, 13. Jesse, being far advanced in years,

t

14 And David was the youngest: and|| hand of the keeper of the carriage, and the three eldest followed Saul. ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.

15 But David went, and "returned from Saul, to feed his father's sheep at Beth-lehem.

16 And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself 'forty days.

17 And Jesse said unto David his son, * Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren:

18 And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.

19 Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.

was himself exempted from war; but he sent three of his sons with Saul.-Eight sons. (12) 16: 10. Note, 1 Chr. 2:15.

V. 15. Saul's disorder having been relieved, and his mind engaged in public business, David's music was not wanted; and he "returned from Saul" to his former laborious and obscure occupation. Probably he had been appointed Saul's armor-bearer, merely as an honorary distinction, and had never been employed in actual service. (Note, 16:15-23.)-Josephus says, that Saul sent David home in the beginning of this war, being contented with the three sons of Jesse who followed him; but it seems more probable, that he had returned home some time before the war began: and Josephus had no other authentic information, as to the history of Israel, than we at present possess; so that neither his opinions, nor the traditions which he had received from those who lived before him, are of any authority, except when they accord with the sacred scriptures.

V. 16. Had the Philistines thought themselves able to force the camp of Israel, they would not have spent so much time in this manner.-Forty days.] Note, Matt. 4:1,2.

T

24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from ** him, and were sore afraid.

25 And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.

26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

i

V. 19. Fighting.] There might be frequent skirmishes between the two armies, though they did not come to a general engagement.

V. 22. His carriage.] Or, the provisions which he carried, or had brought, for his brethren and their captain. (Marg.-Acts 21:15.)-"The keeper of the carriage" seems to mean the person, who was appointed over those, who guarded the baggage: and who would take the charge of what David had brought, till he returned. With his servant.' Bp. Patrick. It does not however appear, that David was attended by a servant.

V. 23, 24. (Note, 4-7.) When the two armies were on the point of engaging, Goliath's renewed challenge strangely disconcerted the Israelites. They could face the whole army of the Philistines, though they knew Goliath was among them; and yet were dismayed by the sight of him alone! (Notes, Num. 13:30,31. 14:2-9.)

V. 25, 26. It does not appear, that Saul consulted the Lord, or offered sacrifice, or even made supplications, on this occasion: but he offered great rewards to him, who should kill Goliath. (Notes, Josh. 15:16,17. 1 Chr. 11:4-8.)-To this conduct, David's speech, glowing with confidence in God, zeal for his glory, and indignant resentment of Israel's disgrace, formed a noble contrast. However terrible the gigantic Goliath might appear, he was "an uncircumcised Philistine;" and those whom he defied were not merely "servants V. 18. Pledge.] This, it is probable, was some to Saul" (8), but "the armies of the living God." concerted token of welfare, according to the cus-(Note, Num. 23:7,8.) And in this view, who was tom of those times, while epistolary correspond- Goliath, that any Israelite should fear him? The ence was infrequent. very inquiry implied the most pointed reproof of

V. 17. As Jesse had several other sons, it must be ascribed to a special interposition of Providence, that David was sent on this occasion. (Note, 16:10,11.)

this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.

28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and 'Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down, that thou mightest see the battle.

29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.

36 Thy servant slew both the lion, an the bear: and " this uncircumcised Philis tine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

X

37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this 30 And he turned from him towards Philistine. And Saul said unto David, another, and spake after the same *man-Go, and the LORD be with thee. ner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.

[Practical Observations.] 31 T And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul; and he † sent for him. 32 And David said to Saul, P Let no man's heart fail because of him: thy servant will go, and fight with this Philistine.

r

33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.

34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock;

† Heb. took him. Prov. 22:29.
p Num. 13:30, 14:9. Deut. 20:1
-3. Is. 35:3. Heb. 12:12.

q 14:6. 16:18. Josh. 14:12. Ps.
3:6. 27:1-3.

r Num. 13:31. Deut. 9:2. Ps. 11:
1. Rev. 13:4.

$ 42,56.
Or, kid.

the unbelief and cowardice of Saul, and indeed of the whole army.-Free in Israel. (25) Note, Ezra 7:24-26.

38 And Saul armed David with his armor, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.

39 And David girded his sword upon his armor, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David a put them off him.

a

40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's

bag which he had, even in a scrip, and his sling was in his hand; and he drew

near to the Philistine.

t Judg. 14:5,6. 2 Sam. 23:20. Ps.
91:13. Dan. 6:22. Am. 3:12.
Acts 28:4-6. 2 Tim. 4:17,18.
u 26. F.z. 32:19,27-32. Rom. 2:
28,29.

x See on 10.-Is. 10:15. 36:8-
10,15,18. 37:22,23,28,29. Zech.
2:8. 12:3. Acts 5:38,39. 9:4,5.
12:1,2,22,23.

y 7:12. Ps. 63:7. 138:3,7,8. 2
Cor. 1:9,10. 2 Tim. 4:17,18.

z 20:13. 24:19. 26:25. 2 Sam. 10: 12.

Heb. clothed David with his clothes. 5.

a Hos. 1:7. Zech. 4:6. 2 Cor.
10:4,5.

b Judg. 3:31. 7:16-20. 15:15,
16. 20:16. 1 Cor. 1:27-29.
|| Or, valley.

Heb. vessel. Matt. 10:10.

Ought not every Israelite to feel a holy indiguation, when he hears an uncircumcised Philistine defy the armies of the living God? And ought not some Israelite to step forward and venture his life, to take away this reproach? Yet no Israelite had hitherto appeared who would attempt it. (Notes, Judg. 8:1-3. Prov. 15:1.),

V. 31, 32. Marg. Ref. p, q.

V. 28. It can hardly be supposed, that Eliab was entirely ignorant of David's having been anointed by Samuel; and he must have understood this transaction, as at least an indication of his future superiority. (Note, 16:13.) No doubt, therefore, he was in part excited by envy on this occasion: V. 34-37. In defence of his flock, David had but he might also consider the spirit of his young- been enabled, at different times, to slay a lion and er and neglected brother, as a tacit reproach of a bear: and he looked upon this as an earnest of his own timidity. He therefore rashly and falsely victory over the "uncircumcised Philistine," accused him of leaving his flock without a keeper, whom he meant to attack out of zeal for the glory and of coming without being sent, out of curiosity of God, and the interests of Israel. Goliath could or ambition (17-20): and intimated that he was not be more terrible to any Israelitish soldier, notoriously of a proud, aspiring, and even wicked than a lion or a bear, bereaved of its prey, would disposition. These insinuations tended both to be to an unarmed shepherd; and David's deliverdiscourage David, and to prejudice those who ance from these savage beasts was the effect of heard them against him, in order that he might be the Lord's special favor, who would also deliver disregarded. (Notes, Gen. 37:2-10. John 7:3-him from the Philistine. (Note, 2 Cor. 1:8-11.) -Thus, when Spirit the Lord

10%). 29. This answer was as admirable for the Samson, were the Spont before ledest was the

"meekness of wisdom," as the former question was for the 'courage of faith.' David took no notice of the reproach cast on his character; nor of the false accusation laid against him; nor of the selfish motives, to which his coming to the army was ascribed. But he merely replied, by asking, "What have I now done? Is there not a cause?"

Philistines. (Note, Judg. 14:5,6.)-Several extraordinary actions of this kind, no doubt, obtained David that great character, with which he had first been introduced to Saul. (16:18.)—Go, &c. (37) Notes, 24:16-22. 26:21-25.

V. 38-40. David had not been accustomed to such armor as Saul put upon him, and he was not