Changes

The context is that as there was war between Saul and the Philistines all his days, (1Sam. 14:52) here the Philistines are once again gathered together for battle against Israel, facing off in the hilly region between the mountains of Judah and the plain of Philistia.<ref>Keil & Delitzsch, ibid.</ref> It is thought by Calmet that this war happened eight years after the anointing of David, and ten or twelve years after the war with the Amalekites.<ref>Adam Clarke, LL.D., F.S.A., (1715-1832), 1Sam. 17:1</ref>  A well armed, literal giant named [[Goliath]], whose height has been estimated to be between approx. 9 feet nine inches to 11 feet,<ref>Clarke, 1Sam. 17:4</ref> daily taunted the “servants to Saul” for 40 days,  morning and evening, defying them to provide a man to fight and kill him, with the winner to gain the submission of all their respective opponent. Upon hearing his defiance, the Israelites were “dismayed, and greatly afraid.” (1Sam. 17:1-11)  

The context is that as there was war between Saul and the Philistines all his days, (1Sam. 14:52) here the Philistines are once again gathered together for battle against Israel, facing off in the hilly region between the mountains of Judah and the plain of Philistia.<ref>Keil & Delitzsch, ibid.</ref> It is thought by Calmet that this war happened eight years after the anointing of David, and ten or twelve years after the war with the Amalekites.<ref>Adam Clarke, LL.D., F.S.A., (1715-1832), 1Sam. 17:1</ref>  A well armed, literal giant named [[Goliath]], whose height has been estimated to be between approx. 9 feet nine inches to 11 feet,<ref>Clarke, 1Sam. 17:4</ref> daily taunted the “servants to Saul” for 40 days,  morning and evening, defying them to provide a man to fight and kill him, with the winner to gain the submission of all their respective opponent. Upon hearing his defiance, the Israelites were “dismayed, and greatly afraid.” (1Sam. 17:1-11)  

Meanwhile, David's father had become frail, and his 3 oldest sons had followed Saul to the battle.  David returned home to feed his sheep.<ref<Gill, 1Sam. 17:15</ref> With the Philistine crisis now ongoing for 40 days, Jesse instructs David to take provisions to the camp of his sons, and some cheese for their captain. David was to inquire as to their condition, and to (apparently) bring some evidence of their welfare back, as they were in conflict with the Philistines in the valley of Elah. (1Sam. 17:12-19)   

Meanwhile, David's father had become frail, and his 3 oldest sons had followed Saul to the battle.  David returned home to feed his sheep.<ref>Gill, 1Sam. 17:15</ref> With the Philistine crisis now ongoing for 40 days, Jesse instructs David to take provisions to the camp of his sons, and some cheese for their captain. David was to inquire as to their condition, and to (apparently) bring some evidence of their welfare back, as they were in conflict with the Philistines in the valley of Elah. (1Sam. 17:12-19)   

David thus leaves his sheep with a caretaker, and goes to the battle, as both Israel and the Philistines were going forth in preparation to fight, being set in array against each other, and into which David runs. He greets and talks to his brethren, but as he does he hears Goliath speaking his words of defiance. This sends the Israelites around him fleeing, and they declare what manner of reward Saul shall give to the the man who slays Goliath, that of great riches, Saul's daughter in marriage, and freedom from any slavery one might be under. David inquires of this from those close by him, “for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God”, and is it confirmed. When David's oldest brother hears of Davids words,  his response is not one of encouragement but chastisement, accusing David of neglecting his sheep and of ill motives, that of coming just to see the battle. David's response indicates he has heard such before but  will not be dissuaded, saying, “What have I now done? Is there not a cause?”, and which question he repeats to others. (1Sam. 17:20-30)  

David thus leaves his sheep with a caretaker, and goes to the battle, as both Israel and the Philistines were going forth in preparation to fight, being set in array against each other, and into which David runs. He greets and talks to his brethren, but as he does he hears Goliath speaking his words of defiance. This sends the Israelites around him fleeing, and they declare what manner of reward Saul shall give to the the man who slays Goliath, that of great riches, Saul's daughter in marriage, and freedom from any slavery one might be under. David inquires of this from those close by him, “for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God”, and is it confirmed. When David's oldest brother hears of Davids words,  his response is not one of encouragement but chastisement, accusing David of neglecting his sheep and of ill motives, that of coming just to see the battle. David's response indicates he has heard such before but  will not be dissuaded, saying, “What have I now done? Is there not a cause?”, and which question he repeats to others. (1Sam. 17:20-30)  

[[Category: Biblical Military Commanders]]

[[Category: Biblical Military Commanders]]

[[Category:Jewish People]]

[[Category:Jewish People]]