1 Samuel 17:38-48

38 et induit Saul David vestimentis suis et inposuit galeam aeream super caput eius et vestivit eum lorica

39 accinctus ergo David gladio eius super veste sua coepit temptare si armatus posset incedere non enim habebat consuetudinem dixitque David ad Saul non possum sic incedere quia nec usum habeo et deposuit ea

40 et tulit baculum suum quem semper habebat in manibus et elegit sibi quinque limpidissimos lapides de torrente et misit eos in peram pastoralem quam habebat secum et fundam manu tulit et processit adversum Philistheum

41 ibat autem Philistheus incedens et adpropinquans adversum David et armiger eius ante eum

42 cumque inspexisset Philistheus et vidisset David despexit eum erat enim adulescens rufus et pulcher aspectu

43 et dixit Philistheus ad David numquid ego canis sum quod tu venis ad me cum baculo et maledixit Philistheus David in diis suis

44 dixitque ad David veni ad me et dabo carnes tuas volatilibus caeli et bestiis terrae

45 dixit autem David ad Philistheum tu venis ad me cum gladio et hasta et clypeo ego autem venio ad te in nomine Domini exercituum Dei agminum Israhel quibus exprobrasti

46 hodie et dabit te Dominus in manu mea et percutiam te et auferam caput tuum a te et dabo cadaver castrorum Philisthim hodie volatilibus caeli et bestiis terrae ut sciat omnis terra quia est Deus in Israhel

47 et noverit universa ecclesia haec quia non in gladio nec in hasta salvat Dominus ipsius est enim bellum et tradet vos in manus nostras

48 cum ergo surrexisset Philistheus et veniret et adpropinquaret contra David festinavit David et cucurrit ad pugnam ex adverso Philisthei

1 Samuel 17:38-48 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 17

This chapter relates how the armies of Israel, and of the Philistines, prepared for battle, and where, 1Sa 17:1-3, describes a champion of the Philistines, who defied the armies of Israel, 1Sa 17:4-11, and while he was so doing, it informs us that David came into the camp, and he heard his words, and signified to one and another his inclination to fight with him, 1Sa 17:12-30, which being reported to Saul, David was sent for by him, and much discourse passed between them about it, 1Sa 17:31-37 when we are told the manner in which he engaged with the Philistine, and the victory he obtained over him, 1Sa 17:38-51 upon which the Philistines fled, and Israel pursued them; and on account of this action David was taken notice of by Saul, and brought to court again, as the following chapter shows, 1Sa 17:52-58.