John Gill
INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 17 This chapter relates how the armies of Israel, and of the Philistines, prepared for battle, and where, 1 Samuel 17:1, describes a champion of the Philistines, who defied the armies of Israel, 1 Samuel 17:4, 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...
John Gill
And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine,.... Carrying his head in triumph, and no doubt accompanied with the acclamations of the people: Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with the head of the Philistine in his hand; to give an answer to the king's question concerning him, who could best do it himself; and that Saul might have the opportunity of rewarding him,...
Matthew Henry
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...