And he assayed to go— But David marched with difficulty, as not accustomed to these; therefore he said to Saul, I cannot go with these arms, for I am not accustomed to them: and David put them off. Houb.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, When David had succeeded as Saul's musician, and no relapse for some time made his stay no longer necessary, he returned to his father's house at Bethlehem; probably not relishing the dissolute manners of a court, and infinitely happier in retirement and communion with God, whilst he kept his father's flock. Here he seems to have been almost, if not altogether, forgotten, till a new incident calls him once more into the presence and family of the king.
1. The Philistines recover from their late defeat, and, encouraged, no doubt, by the accounts they had received of Saul's quarrel with Samuel, and his distracted state of mind, again invade Israel. But Saul, now restored to health, is enabled to make head against them, and with his army encamps on the hill opposite his enemies. Note; The enemies of God's people are always watching to take advantage, and especially to profit by their disputes and divisions.
2. A mighty champion went out of their camp, their boast and glory, and proudly defied the armies of Israel. Forth he marches, proud in his strength and stature, and, with a voice as loud as thunder, challenges the armies of the Israelites to send a man to fight with him, offers in bravado to have the fate of either kingdom decided by the issue of the combat, and vaunts his own condescension in thus submitting to accept a man out of their army who were no better than servants to Saul. Note; Pride will sooner or later have a fall.
3. The effect which this produced on Saul and the Israelites. They were quite dispirited, and ready to fly before a single Philistine. Note; When we have provoked God to depart from us, fear will terrify us on every approach of danger.
2nd, Forty days the armies lay encamped, and, morning and evening, the champion of Philistia renewed his challenge, and reproached the cowardice of his foes; when lo! an adversary appears, little thought of, and, to human view, very unequal to the combat. David, in obedience to his father's commands, and in love to his brethren, (though, if we may judge of their past by their present conduct, they little deserved it at his hands,) having left his sheep with a keeper, hastes to the camp, and enters it just as the host was marching forth to engage. As he could not then carry the provisions which his father had sent by him to his brethren, he left them with those who guarded the baggage, and ran to salute his brethren, and discharge his commission to them from his father. And whilst he talked with them, just then Goliath marches forth from the ranks of the Philistines, and renews his proud challenge; where we may observe,
1. The cowardice of the people. They fled from him; not a man dared to face him.
2. The great reward that Saul promised, to encourage any man who would venture to engage this mighty warrior; wealth and honour for himself and for his family, and freedom from all taxes, for ever.
3. David, hearing the blasphemy of the Philistine, felt his spirit kindling in his bosom. He could not bear that an uncircumcised Philistine should thus triumph in his proud boasting, or that the armies of the living God should be thus defied, and a reflection thereby cast on his honour. He therefore inquires concerning the reward, as if he wondered that none dared accept the challenge; and, by the earnestness and repetition of his question, intimated his own readiness to do it. Note. A soul filled with holy zeal cannot bear to see God or his cause blasphemed, without rising up in its vindication.
4. Eliab's anger rises against him. He could not hear his inquiries, and the daring spirit that he shewed, without feeling the workings of jealousy and envy against him. To quench, therefore, this rising spark of zeal, he abuses him as a negligent youth, who had, through pride and curiosity, quitted his calling, and left the few sheep of his poor father, to come down to see the battle; insolently and censoriously pretending to know the pride and naughtiness of his heart, and seeking not only to discourage his own spirit, but to make him appear despicable, and cause his words to be disregarded by those to whom he addresses himself. Note; (1.) The enmity of an offended brother is most bitter and implacable. (2.) Envy can easily misrepresent the most upright and innocent intentions. (3.) Censoriousness will make men not only misinterpret our actions, but pretend to know those secrets of the heart which are open to God alone.
5. David, not provoked by such unjust and illiberal abuse, mildly confutes his misrepresentation. Was there not a cause for his coming? Was it not his father's order, and on a message of kindness to him? And was there not reason to express resentment at such an impious defiance? He therefore turns from him, and, undismayed, continues his inquiries, and intimates his readiness to undertake this boaster. Note; (1.) A soft answer turneth away wrath. (2.) We must not be discouraged in well doing, nor cease, because our good intentions are misrepresented or abused.
3rdly, Such repeated inquiries, and apparent resolution, are quickly carried to the ears of Saul, and David is sent for to his tent.
1. He offers to engage in single combat with the Philistine, and, with the intrepidity of a hero, dares encourage the timorous hosts that fled before him. Note; The righteous is as bold as a lion.
2. Saul discourages him from the undertaking, by pleading his youth and inexperience; great as his courage might be, the contest was utterly unequal. Note; We must not judge by appearances. They who have God for them, have more with them than can be against them.
3. David modestly answers the objection of the king; he was not so unused to hazardous enterprises as he seemed to apprehend. As he fed his flock, a lion, fierce with hunger, came and seized a lamb. He pursued, seized him by the beard, and slew him, though unarmed. A bear too, who made the same attempt, shared a like fate: and, if God strengthened him thus against the lion and the bear, how much more would he deliver him from the hand of a Philistine, who, by his defiance of the armies of the living God, had provoked the God of Israel's armies to destroy him. Note; (1.) We need never be ashamed of an honest calling, though mean. (2.) David is the type of him, who, from the mouth of the roaring lion, has delivered the lambs of his flock. (3.) Past experience should be present encouragement.