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I Samuel 17:39

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David strapped his sword over the tunic and tried to walk, but he was not accustomed to them. “I cannot walk in these,” David said to Saul. “I am not accustomed to them.” So David took them off.

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 39

David is the man whom God now delights to honour, for he is a man after his own heart. We read in the foregoing chapter how, after he was anointed, Providence made him famous in the court; we read in this chapter how Providence made him much more famous in the camp, and, by both, not only marked him for a great man, but fitted him for the throne for which he was designed. In the court he was only Saul's physician; but in the camp Israel's champion; there he fairly fought, and beat Goliath of Gath. In the story observe, I. What a noble figure Goliath made, and how daringly he challenged the armies of Israel (Sa1 17:1-11). II. What a mean figure David made, when Providence brought him to the army (v. 12-30). III. The unparalleled bravery wherewith David undertook to encounter this Philistine (Sa1 17:31-39). IV. The pious resolution with which he attacked him (Sa1 17:40-47). V. The glorious victory he obtained over him with a sling and a stone, and the advantage which the Israelites thereby gained against the Philistines (Sa1 17:48-54). VI. The great notice which was hereupon taken of David at court (Sa1 17:55-58).

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 39

דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse חָגַר (châgar, H2296) — to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.) חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… מַד (mad, H4055) — properly, extent, i.e. height; also a measure; by implication, a vesture (as measured);… יָאַל (yâʼal, H2974) — properly, to yield, especially assent; hence (pos.) to undertake as an act of volition יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) נָסָה (nâçâh, H5254) — to test; by implication, to attempt אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites יָכֹל (yâkôl, H3201) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might) סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative)

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Zechariah 4:6rank 4

So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts.

Hosea 1:7rank 4

Yet I will have compassion on the house of Judah, and I will save them—not by bow or sword or war, not by horses and cavalry, but by the LORD their God.”

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