1 Samuel 17:38

38 And Saul clothed David with his garments, and put a helmet of brass upon his head, and armed him with a coat of mail.

1 Samuel 17:38 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 17:38

And Saul armed David with his armour
Not with what he wore himself; for it cannot be thought he would strip himself of his armour in the field of battle, and when just going to it; and besides what suited the one would not be fit for the other, their bulk and stature being different i but this was some armour Saul had brought with him, besides what he himself wore, to furnish any with that might want it:

and he put an helmet of brass upon his head;
such an one, though not so large as Goliath had, these being usually made of brass; (See Gill on 1 Samuel 17:5);

also he armed him with a coat of mail;
which probably was of brass also, and like that of Goliath's too, only lesser, ( 1 Samuel 17:5 ) .

1 Samuel 17:38 In-Context

36 For I thy servant have killed both a lion and a bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be also as one of them. I will go now, and take away the reproach of the people: for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, who hath dared to curse the army of the living God?

37 And David said: The Lord who 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 Philistine. And Saul said to David: Go, and the Lord be with thee.

38 And Saul clothed David with his garments, and put a helmet of brass upon his head, and armed him with a coat of mail.

39 And David having girded his sword upon his armour, began to try if he could walk in armour: for he was not accustomed to it. And David said to Saul: I cannot go thus, for I am not used to it. And he laid them off,

40 And he took his staff, which he had always in his hands: and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them into the shepherd’s scrip, which he had with him, and he took a sling in his hand, and went forth against the Philistine.