1Filištínci zobrali svoje vojská do boja a zhromaždili sa pri Sóchu, ktoré je v Judsku, a táborili medzi Sóchom a Azekou pri Efes-Dammíme. 2Ale Saul a izraelskí mužovia sa zhromaždili a táborili v údolí Élá a zoradili sa do boja proti Filištíncom. 3Filištínci stáli na vrchu z tamtej strany a Izraelci stáli na vrchu z tejto strany, medzi nimi bolo údolie. 4Z vojska Filištíncov vystupoval predbojovník, ktorého meno bolo Goliáš z Gatu, vysoký šesť lakťov a jednu piaď. 5Na hlave mal bronzovú prilbu a oblečený bol do šupinatého panciera, ktorý vážil päťtisíc šekelov bronzu. 6Na nohách mal kovové holene a na pleciach bronzový oštep. 7Rukoväť jeho kopije bola ako tkáčsky návoj a hrot jeho kopije vážil šesťsto šekelov železa. Nosič jeho štítu kráčal pred ním. 8Zastal si a vykrikoval na izraelské šíky: Načo ste vyšli a nastupujete do boja? Či som ja nie Filištínec a vy služobníci Saulovi! Vyberte si muža, ktorý by zostúpil ku mne. 9Ak bude vládať bojovať so mnou a zabije ma, tak budeme vašimi sluhami, ale ak ja premôžem jeho a zabijem ho, vy nám budete poddaní a budete nám slúžiť. 10Filištínec pokračoval: Dnes som tupil izraelské šíky. Dajte mi muža, aby sme spolu zápasili. 11Keď Saul a celý Izrael počul tieto slová Filištínca, zľakli sa a náramne sa báli. 12Dávid bol synom Efratejca z Betlehema Júdovho, ktorý sa volal Izaj a mal osem synov. Za čias Saula bol už pristarý, aby nastúpil s mužstvom. 13Traja najstarší synovia Izajovi odišli so Saulom do boja. Mená týchto troch synov, ktorí odišli do boja, boli: prvorodený Elíáb, druhý Abínádáb a tretí Šammá. 14Dávid bol však najmladší, traja najstarší šli teda za Saulom. 15Dávid z času na čas odchádzal od Saula pásť v Betleheme ovce svojho otca. 16I vychádzal onen Filištínec a stával tam ráno a večer štyridsať dní. 17Vtedy povedal Izaj svojmu synovi Dávidovi: Nože vezmi svojim bratom éfu praženej pšenice a týchto desať chlebov a bež s tým do tábora k svojim bratom. 18Týchto desať hrudiek syra zanes veliteľovi tisíciny, pozri sa za svojimi bratmi, či sa im dobre vodí. Prines o nich správu. 19Medzitým Saul, oni a všetci mužovia Izraela bojovali v údolí Élá s Filištíncami. 20Dávid vstal včasráno a ovce zveril strážnemu, zbalil sa a šiel, ako mu prikázal Izaj. Keď prišiel k vozovým hradbám, vojsko, ktoré sa zoraďovalo do šíku, prepuklo v bojový krik. 21Zoradil sa Izrael aj Filištínci do boja: šík proti šíku. 22Vtedy Dávid zveril svoj výstroj strážcovi a bežal k bojovému šíku. Keď k nemu prišiel, pýtal sa svojich bratov, ako sa majú. 23Keď hovoril s nimi, práve vystúpil z bojového šíku Filištíncov predbojovník Filištínec menom Goliáš z Gatu. Vykrikoval tie isté slová ako predtým, takže to Dávid počul. 24Keď všetci izraelskí mužovia uvideli tohto muža, utekali pred ním, veľmi sa báli. 25Nato izraelskí mužovia vraveli medzi sebou: Či ste videli toho muža, ktorý vystupoval? Vystupoval preto, aby hanil Izrael. Preto muža, ktorý by ho zabil, kráľ obsype veľkým bohatstvom, dá mu svoju dcéru a dom jeho otca urobí slobodným v Izraeli. 26Nato sa Dávid opýtal mužov, ktorí stáli pri ňom: Čo dostane muž, ktorý zabije toho Filištínca a sníme pohanenie z Izraela? Veď kto je ten neobrezaný Filištínec, čo potupoval šíky živého Boha? 27Ľud mu odpovedal tými istými slovami: To a to dostane muž, ktorý ho zabije. 28Keď však jeho najstarší brat Elíáb počul, ako sa zhovára s tými mužmi, nahneval sa na Dávida a povedal: Načo si sem prišiel? Na koho si nechal tých niekoľko oviec na púšti? Poznám tvoju pýchu i zlobu tvojho srdca. Nato si prišiel, aby si videl bitku! 29Ale Dávid odpovedal: Čože som urobil? Veď som sa len pýtal. 30Obrátil sa od neho k inému a opýtal sa to isté. Ľud mu odpovedal tak ako predtým. 31Keď počuli Dávidove slová, oznámili ich Saulovi a ten si ho predvolal. 32Dávid povedal Saulovi: Nech z neho nikto nemá strach; tvoj služobník pôjde a bude bojovať s tým Filištíncom. 33Saul odpovedal Dávidovi: Nemôžeš ísť proti tomu Filištíncovi a bojovať s ním, veď ty si chlapec, ale on je bojovníkom od svojej mladosti. 34Ale Dávid povedal Saulovi: Tvoj služobník bol pastierom pri stáde svojho otca; keď prišiel lev alebo medveď a odvliekol ovcu zo stáda, 35pustil som sa za ním, zrazil som ho a vytrhol som mu ju z tlamy. Keď sa oboril na mňa, chytil som ho za bradu a bil som ho, kým som ho nezabil. 36Aj leva a medveďa zabil tvoj služobník, a tento neobrezaný Filištínec bude ako jeden z nich, pretože hanil šíky Boha živého. 37Ďalej Dávid hovoril: Hospodin, ktorý ma vytrhol z moci leva a z pazúrov medveďa, vytrhne ma i z ruky toho Filištínca. Vtedy povedal Saul Dávidovi: Choď, a Hospodin bude s tebou! 38Potom Saul obliekol Dávida do svojich šiat, dal mu na hlavu bronzovú prilbu a navliekol mu pancier. 39Dávid si pripásal i meč na šaty a chcel pokročiť, ale nebol na to navyknutý, a tak povedal Saulovi: Nevládzem v tom chodiť, lebo nie som na to navyknutý. I zložil to Dávid zo seba. 40Vzal si do ruky palicu, vybral z potoka päť hladkých kameňov, vložil ich do kapsy medzi pastierske náčinie, ktoré mal, vzal si do ruky prak, a tak sa približoval k Filištíncovi. 41Filištínec sa stále viac a viac približoval k Dávidovi; muž, ktorý niesol jeho štít, kráčal pred ním. 42Keď Filištínec pozrel a videl Dávida, pohrdol ním, lebo bol len mladíkom červenolícim a pekným na vzhľad. 43Filištínec povedal Dávidovi: Či som ja pes, že ideš proti mne s palicou? Filištínec preklínal Dávida svojimi bohmi. 44Ďalej Filištínec hovoril Dávidovi takto: Len poď ku mne, nech dám tvoje telo nebeskému vtáctvu a poľnej zveri! 45Nato Dávid odpovedal Filištíncovi: Ty prichádzaš ku mne s mečom, s kopijou a so štítom, ale ja idem k tebe v mene Hospodina moc nos tí, Boha izraelských šíkov, ktorého ty si potupoval. 46Dnes ťa Hospodin vydá do mojich rúk, zrazím ťa a zotnem ti hlavu. Dnes vydám mŕtvoly filištínskeho vojska nebeskému vtáctvu a zemským šelmám, aby celá zem poznala, že je Boh v Izraeli. 47A aby sa celé toto zhromaždenie dozvedelo, že Hospodin nevyslobodzuje mečom a kopijou, lebo toto je Hospodinov boj; On vás vydá do našich rúk. 48Keď Filištínec vstal a približoval sa k Dávidovi, Dávid sa poponáhľal a vybehol zo šíku proti Filištíncovi. 49Vtom Dávid siahol rukou do kapsy, vybral kameň, hodil ním z praku a udrel Filištínca do čela; kameň sa mu vrazil do čela, takže padol tvárou na zem. 50Tak premohol Dávid Filištínca prakom a kameňom, zrazil Filištínca a usmrtil ho, i keď nemal v ruke meč. 51Dávid pribehol, postavil sa nad Filištínca, vzal jeho vlastný meč, vytiahol ho z pošvy a zabil ho. Odťal mu ním hlavu. Keď Filištínci videli, že silák zomrel, dali sa na útek. 52Vtedy povstali izraelskí a judskí mužovia, kričali a prenasledovali Filištíncov až po Gát, ba až k bránam Ekrónu. Smrteľne ranení Filištínci padali po ceste od Šaarajimu až po Gát a Ekrón. 53Keď sa Izraelci vracali z prenasledovania Filištíncov, vyrabovali ich tábor. 54Potom vzal Dávid hlavu Filištínca, doniesol ju do Jeruzalema, jeho zbrane však uložil vo svojom stane. 55Keď Saul videl Dávida vychádzať proti onomu Filištíncovi, povedal veliteľovi vojska Abnérovi: Abnér, čí syn je tamten mladík? Abnér odpovedal: Na tvoj život, kráľ, neviem! 56Kráľ povedal: Opýtaj sa, čí je ten mladík! 57Keď sa Dávid po zabití Filištínca vracal, Abnér ho vzal a priviedol pred Saula. Hlavu Filištínca držal vo svojej ruke. 58Saul sa ho opýtal: Čí si ty syn, chlapče? Dávid odpovedal: Som synom tvojho služobníka Izaja Betlehemského.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 THE ISRAELITES AND PHILISTINES BEING READY TO BATTLE. (
1Sam 17:1-3)
the Philistines gathered together their armies--twenty-seven years after their overthrow at Michmash. Having now recovered their spirits and strength, they sought an opportunity of wiping out the infamy of that national disaster, as well as to regain their lost ascendency over Israel.
Shocoh--now Shuweikeh, a town in the western plains of Judah (
Josh 15:35), nine Roman miles from Eleutheropolis, toward Jerusalem [ROBINSON].
Azekah--a small place in the neighborhood.
Ephes-dammim--or, "Pas-dammim" (
1Chr 11:13), "the portion" or "effusion of blood," situated between the other two.
2 valley of Elah--that is, "the Terebinth," now Wady Er-Sumt [ROBINSON]. Another valley somewhat to the north, now called Wady Beit Hanina, has been fixed on by the tradition of ages.
4 GOLIATH CHALLENGES A COMBAT. (
1Sam 17:4-11)
a champion--Hebrew, a "man between two"; that is, a person who, on the part of his own people, undertook to determine the national quarrel by engaging in single combat with a chosen warrior in the hostile army.
5 helmet of brass--The Philistine helmet had the appearance of a row of feathers set in a tiara, or metal band, to which were attached scales of the same material, for the defense of the neck and the sides of the face [OSBORN].
a coat of mail--a kind of corslet, quilted with leather or plates of metal, reaching only to the chest, and supported by shoulder straps, leaving the shoulders and arms at full liberty.
6 greaves of brass--boots, terminating at the ankle, made in one plate of metal, but round to the shape of the leg, and often lined with felt or sponge. They were useful in guarding the legs, not only against the spikes of the enemy, but in making way among thorns and briers.
a target of brass--a circular frame, carried at the back, suspended by a long belt which crossed the breast from the shoulders to the loins.
7 staff of his spear--rather under five feet long, and capable of being used as a javelin (
1Sam 19:10). It had an iron head.
one bearing a shield--In consequence of their great size and weight, the Oriental warrior had a trusty and skilful friend, whose office it was to bear the large shield behind which he avoided the missile weapons of the enemy. He was covered, cap-a-pie, with defensive armor, while he had only two offensive weapons--a sword by his side and a spear in his hand.
8 I defy the armies of Israel . . .; give me a man, that we may fight together--In cases of single combat, a warrior used to go out in front of his party, and advancing towards the opposite ranks, challenge someone to fight with him. If his formidable appearance, or great reputation for physical strength and heroism, deterred any from accepting the challenge, he used to parade himself within hearing of the enemy's lines, specify in a loud, boastful, bravado style, defying them, and pouring out torrents of abuse and insolence to provoke their resentment.
17 DAVID ACCEPTS THE CHALLENGE, AND SLAYS HIM. (1Sa. 17:12-58)
Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves--In those times campaigns seldom lasted above a few days at a time. The soldiers were volunteers or militia, who were supplied with provisions from time to time by their friends at home.
18 carry these ten cheeses to the captain--to enlist his kind attention. Oriental cheeses are very small; and although they are frequently made of so soft a consistence as to resemble curds, those which David carried seem to have been fully formed, pressed, and sufficiently dried to admit of their being carried.
take their pledge--Tokens of the soldiers' health and safety were sent home in the convenient form of a lock of their hair, or piece of their nail, or such like.
20 David left the sheep with a keeper--This is the only instance in which the hired shepherd is distinguished from the master or one of his family.
trench--some feeble attempt at a rampart. It appears (see Margin) to have been formed by a line of carts or chariots, which, from the earliest times, was the practice of nomad people.
22 left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage--to make his way to the standard of Judah.
25 make his father's house free in Israel--His family should be exempted from the impositions and services to which the general body of the Israelites were subjected.
34 a lion, and a bear--There were two different rencontres, for those animals prowl alone. The bear must have been a Syrian bear, which is believed to be a distinct species, or perhaps a variety, of the brown bear. The beard applies to the lion alone. Those feats seem to have been performed with no weapons more effective than the rude staves and stones of the field, or his shepherd's crook.
37 The Lord that delivered me--It would have been natural for a youth, and especially an Oriental youth, to make a parade of his gallantry. But David's piety sank all consideration of his own prowess and ascribed the success of those achievements to the divine aid, which he felt assured would not be withheld from him in a cause which so intimately concerned the safety and honor of His people.
Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee--The pious language of the modest but valiant youth impressed the monarch's heart. He felt that it indicated the true military confidence for Israel, and, therefore, made up his mind, without any demur, to sanction a combat on which the fate of his kingdom depended, and with a champion supporting his interests apparently so unequal to the task.
38 Saul armed David with his armour--The ancient Hebrews were particularly attentive to the personal safety of their warriors, and hence Saul equipped the youthful champion with his own defensive accoutrements, which would be of the best style. It is probable that Saul's coat of mail, or corslet, was a loose shirt, otherwise it could not have fitted both a stripling and a man of the colossal stature of the king.
40 brook--wady.
bag--or scrip for containing his daily food.
sling--The sling consisted of a double rope with a thong, probably of leather, to receive the stone. The slinger held a second stone in his left hand. David chose five stones, as a reserve, in case the first should fail. Shepherds in the East carry a sling and stones still, for the purpose of driving away, or killing, the enemies that prowl about the flock.
42 the Philistine said . . . said David to the Philistine--When the two champions met, they generally made each of them a speech, and sometimes recited some verses, filled with allusions and epithets of the most opprobrious kind, hurling contempt and defiance at one another. This kind of abusive dialogue is common among the Arab combatants still. David's speech, however, presents a striking contrast to the usual strain of these invectives. It was full of pious trust, and to God he ascribed all the glory of the triumph he anticipated.
49 smote the Philistine in his forehead--At the opening for the eyes--that was the only exposed part of his body.
51 cut off his head--not as an evidence of the giant's death, for his slaughter had been effected in presence of the whole army, but as a trophy to be borne to Saul. The heads of slain enemies are always regarded in the East as the most welcome tokens of victory.
52 Shaaraim--(See
Josh 15:36).
54 tent--the sacred tabernacle. David dedicated the sword of Goliath as a votive offering to the Lord.
55 Saul . . . said unto Abner . . . whose son is this youth?--A young man is more spoken of in many Eastern countries by his father's name than his own. The growth of the beard, and other changes on a now full-grown youth, prevented the king from recognizing his former favorite minstrel [
1Sam 16:23].
