---
title: "Bullinger"
description: "Now. Ch. 1 Samuel 17:1 reads on chronologically from 1 Samuel 16:13 (see note on 1 Samuel 16:14 ). An author"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes/1-samuel/17"
---

**Now.** Ch. [1 Samuel 17:1](../../../kjv/1-samuel/17/1) reads on chronologically from [1 Samuel 16:13](../../../kjv/1-samuel/16/13) (see note on [1 Samuel 16:14](../../../kjv/1-samuel/16/14) ). An author's right is claimed for placing the later episode here ([1 Samuel 16:14](../../../kjv/1-samuel/16/14) , [1 Samuel 16:23](../../../kjv/1-samuel/16/23) ), in order to connect and contrast the two spirits with Saul and David. The canonical order alternates David's call and Saul's. See notes on [1 Samuel 16:14](../../../kjv/1-samuel/16/14) ; [1 Samuel 18:12](../../../kjv/1-samuel/18/12) .

**men** . Hebrew. *'ish.* App-14 .
**by** = in. About sixteen miles south-west of Jerusalem.

**champion** . Hebrew. *'ish-habbenayivl* = "the man between the two [hosts]", or, the duellist. This accords with the subscription of [Psalms 8](../../../kjv/psalms/8) (see note there)
*Muth-labben =* the death of the man between; i.e. the death of the champion (Goliath) which [Psalms 8](../../../kjv/psalms/8) celebrates. [Psalms 144](../../../kjv/psalms/144) , which has the same words, "What is man" has for its title in Septuagint. "A Psalm of David concerning Goliath"(compare[1 Samuel 8:4](../../../kjv/1-samuel/8/4); [1 Samuel 8:4](../../../kjv/1-samuel/8/4) with [Psalms 144:3](../../../kjv/psalms/144/3) ). See [1 Samuel 17:23](../../../kjv/1-samuel/17/23) .
**six** . Note this number "6" stamped like a "hallmark" on this "man" (as on Nebuchadnezzar, [Daniel 3](../../../kjv/daniel/3) ) Compare the six pieces of armour, verses: [1 Samuel 17:5-7](../../../kjv/1-samuel/17/5-7) .
**cubits** . See App-51 .
**span** . See App-51 .

**And** . Note the Figure of speech *Polysyndeton* in verses: [1 Samuel 17:5-7](../../../kjv/1-samuel/17/5-7) . App-6 . Note the six pieces of armour thus emphasised; and see App-10 .

**target** . Hebrew. *kedon,* a small shield. Translated "shield "in [1 Samuel 17:45](../../../kjv/1-samuel/17/45) .

**shield** . Hebrew zinnah, a shield of the largest size, covering the whole body. Same word in [1 Samuel 17:41](../../../kjv/1-samuel/17/41) , not [1 Samuel 17:6](../../../kjv/1-samuel/17/6) and [1 Samuel 17:45](../../../kjv/1-samuel/17/45) .

**man** . Hebrew. *'ish* . App-14 .

**greatly afraid** = feared exceedingly. Compare [1 Samuel 17:24](../../../kjv/1-samuel/17/24) .

**eight sons** . David was now between sixteen and seventeen years old. See note on [1 Samuel 16:5](../../../kjv/1-samuel/16/5) .
**men.** *Hebrew 'enosh.* App-14 .
**for an old man** . Septuagint and Syriac read "was old", advanced in years.

**was** *= he [was].*

**forty** . The number significant of probation. App-10 .

**ephah** . See App-51 .

**their pledge** : i.e. a token from them of their welfare = a message or letter, or a lock of hair. Compare [Genesis 37:13](../../../kjv/genesis/37/13) , Gen 14:32 , Gen 14:33 .

**as** = according as.
**fight** = place of battle.

**carriage** = baggage: i. e, goods carried.

**behold** . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .
**armies** = ranks.

**men.** Hebrew. *'ish.* App-14 .
**man** . Hebrew. *'ish.* App-14 .
**were sore afraid** = feared exceedingly. Compare [1 Samuel 17:11](../../../kjv/1-samuel/17/11) .

**and.** Note the Figure of speech *Polysyndeton.* App-6 .

**men** . Heb, *'enosh.* App-14 .
**defy** = reproach.
**God.** Hebrew. *Elohim* . App-4 . "Living", always in contrast with idols.

**manner** = word.

**Let no man's heart fail.** Septuagint reads "Let not the heart of my lord fail".
**man's** . Hebrew. *'adam.* App-14 .

**kept** = was keeping. Compare [1 Samuel 16:11](../../../kjv/1-samuel/16/11) .
**his** . Some codices, quoted in the Massorah, read "my".
**and.** Note the Figure of speech *Polysyndeton* ( App-6 ) in verses: [1 Samuel 17:34-36](../../../kjv/1-samuel/17/34-36) .

**beard** = mane, or throat.

**them** . The Septuagint adds "them" and reads "[Shall I not go and smite him, and turn aside reproach to-day from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine] that he hath", &c.
**defied** = reproached.
**living God** , Both these words in plural in Hebrew Compare [1 Samuel 17:26](../../../kjv/1-samuel/17/26) .

**The LORD** = *Jehovah* . App-4 .
**paw . . . hand** . Put by Figure of speech *Metonymy* (of Cause) for power put forth by it. App-6 .

**assayed** = tried, or, was content to start: assay French *essayer.*

**staff** = club, one of the three equipments of the Eastern shepherd: crook for the sheep's help, club for sheep's defence, and the bag for himself.

**ruddy.** Compare [1 Samuel 16:12](../../../kjv/1-samuel/16/12) , [1 Samuel 16:13](../../../kjv/1-samuel/16/13) .
**dog** . No stronger term *of* contempt. [2 Kings 8:13](../../../kjv/2-kings/8/13) .[Matthew 15:26](../../../kjv/matthew/15/26) .
**gods** = god, as in [Judges 16:23](../../../kjv/judges/16/23) .

**field.** Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "earth".

**shield.** See note on "target", [1 Samuel 17:6](../../../kjv/1-samuel/17/6) .
**the LORD of hosts** . See note on [1 Samuel 1:3](../../../kjv/1-samuel/1/3) .

**and.** Note the Figure of speech *Polysyndeton* in verses: [1 Samuel 17:46-47](../../../kjv/1-samuel/17/46-47) . give. Septuagint reads "give [thy limbs and] the carcasses", &c.
**that there is a God in Israel** = that Israel bath a God.

**assembly** = assembled host. Compare [Numbers 22:4](../../../kjv/numbers/22/4) , "company".

**drew it out** ; showing that Goliath had not deigned to do so.
**champion** . Hebrew. *gibbor = mighty* man. App-14 . Not the same word as in [1 Samuel 17:4](../../../kjv/1-samuel/17/4) and [1 Samuel 17:23](../../../kjv/1-samuel/17/23) .

**the valley** . Septuagint reads "entrance into Gath".
**wounded** = stricken, or slain.

**children** = sons.
**tents** = camps.

**Jerusalem** . Jerusalem (west of Moriah) had been taken by Judah, who dwelt there. The Jebusites were still holding Jebus, or Zion, the mount immediately south of Moriah. Compare [Joshua 15:63](../../../kjv/joshua/15/63) .[Judges 1:7](../../../kjv/judges/1/7) , [Judges 1:8](../../../kjv/judges/1/8) . Zion was taken later by David. See [2 Samuel 5:7](../../../kjv/2-samuel/5/7) , and App-68 .

**whose son . . . ?** Though Saul had just had an interview with David, he did not know his father, whom he had promised ([1 Samuel 17:25](../../../kjv/1-samuel/17/25) ) to make free in Israel. Note in all these passages *(verses:* 55, 56, 58) Saul's inquiry is not about David, but about David's father.
**thy soul** = thyself (emph.) Hebrew. *nephesh.* App-13 .

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