MPV Commentary

David Accepts the Challenge, and Slays Goliath.

17. David was asked to take some food for his brothers in Saul's army - an ephah of parched corn and ten loaves of bread. In those times, military campaigns usually lasted just a few days, and soldiers were supplied with provisions from home by their families.

18. He also carried ten cheeses to the commander, hoping to win his favor. The cheeses were small and fully formed, making them easy to carry.

David left behind tokens of the soldiers' health and safety - locks of hair or pieces of nail - as a pledge that they would return safely.

20. David left the sheep in the care of a shepherd while he went to meet Saul's army. This was the only time the hired shepherd is mentioned separately from the master or his family.

The Israelites had set up a makeshift barrier, but it was no match for the Philistines' superior forces. The barrier was likely made by lining up carts and chariots, a common practice among nomadic peoples.

22. David left his carriage in the care of the carriage keeper so he could join Saul's army under the banner of Judah.

25. David asked that his family be exempt from the taxes and services imposed on the rest of Israel.

34-36. Before facing Goliath, David had already proven himself by killing a lion and a bear with nothing but a staff and stones. These feats were likely performed without any special equipment beyond what he used as a shepherd.

37. When asked about his bravery, David credited God for his success, saying that the Lord who delivered him from these predators would also deliver him in this battle.

Saul was impressed by David's humility and faith, and he felt confident that God was with them. He gave David his armor to wear into battle.

40. Before facing Goliath, David took a bag of food and a sling with five stones - one for the Philistine and four as reserves in case the first stone failed.

42-47. When Goliath taunted him, David responded by saying that he trusted in God's power to deliver him from this giant. He claimed that his victory would be a demonstration of God's glory.

49. David struck Goliath in the forehead with one of the stones, hitting him right between the eyes - the only exposed part of his body.

51. After killing Goliath, David cut off his head as a trophy to bring back to Saul. In the East, the heads of defeated enemies were considered valuable tokens of victory.

52. The battle took place near Shaaraim, a location mentioned in Joshua 15:36.

54. As a way of dedicating the sword Goliath used to David's faithfulness, David gave it as an offering to God in the sacred tabernacle.

55-58. After the battle, Saul asked Abner who this young man was - not recognizing him as his former favorite minstrel, David. The king didn't know that David had grown up and changed since he last saw him.