The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 335

Vera. 29, 37-39, 45-41.-Tliree vict01-ie.'J in one day. Here the history assumes the charm of romance, and David stands forth a hero above all Greek and Roman fame. By the grace of God he won three victories in quick succession. 1. Over the spirit of anger. When David, shocked to see all Israel defied and daunted by one Philistine, showed his feeling to the men that stood by him, his eldest brother, Eliab, sneered at him openly, and taunted him with being fit only to keep sheep, or to look nt battles which others fought. Probably this ungracious brother had not forgiven David for being preferred before him in 'the day when Samuel visited the house of Jesse ; probably too he was conscious that it was the duty of some such tall soldier as himself to encounter the Philistine champion, and he was ashamed and irritated because he was afraid to fight. So he vented his ill- humour in a most galling and insulting reproach, hurled at his stripling brother. His words might have provoked a sharp retort. But David was in a mood of feel- ing too exalted to descend to wrangling. He was forming a purpose, at once patriotic and pious, which he saw that Eliab was unfit to appreciate, and therefore made a calm and mild reply: "What have I now done? It was only a word;" q. d. "I may surely ask a question. ' Thus the hero ruled his own spirit; was master of himself before be mastered others ; had that disinclination and disdain for paltry quarrels which belongs to men who cherish high and arduous aims; and David's first triumph was the triumph of meekness. 2. Over the precautions of unbelief. When the youth was led to the king, and in his presence offered to fight with the Philistine, he was told that he was not old or strong enough for the encounter. When a tried soldier of lofty stature like Saul himself shrank from the combat, how could this stripling attempt it? It was certain death. David wns not shaken from his purpose. He showed the king that his trust was in God, and that the remembrnnce of past encounters with wild beasts when the Lord delivered him made him con- fident of victory over the giant. Then Saul saicl, " Go, and the Lord be with thee." Perhaps he said it from a mere habit of using such phrases, perhaps with a melan- choly feeling that from himself the Lord had departed. But he had so much con- sideration for the brave youth before him as to put his own armour on him, and gird him with his own sword. It may seem strange that he did not assign to him a suit of armour more suited to his size ; but thero was little armour of any kind among the Israelites, and none so good as that of the king. It was well meant, but it was a sign of unbelief. Saul could not trust in God to defend this young champion, but would cover him with a brazen helmet and a coat of mail. David, however, happily for himself, put off the armour. It only encumbered his body, taking away his native nimbleness of movement, and it tend~d to weaken in hi:i mind that total faith in God and sense of dependence on him which was more to him in such a field than even the armour of a king. Thrice was he armed who had his quarrel just, and the living God for his refuge and strength. 3. 0:·1w the proud 1 SAM. :l  THE FlllST nouK OF SAMUEL. [CH. XVII. 20-/i8,