1 Samuel 17:26

1Sa 17:26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who [is] this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

Ver. 26. What shall be done to the man?] This he inquireth, non quia victus his pollicitationibus, as Chrysostom saith; not because he was won by these promises, - for as he hardly credited them, so he never claimed them, - but moved with "a zeal of God," and for the honour of his nation, he is willing to enter the contest, and wisheth that the king knew as much. David is not so much encouraged, as enraged against that dead dog, that thus proudly barked against the God of Israel.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

17:26 What will a man get: Cp. 18:17-27. David’s interest in a reward was overshadowed by his determination to silence Goliath’s defiance of God (17:45-47). • pagan: Literally uncircumcised. See study note on 14:6.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

This dishonor that he doeth to Israel.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

(26) And David spake . . .—Very vividly does the historian here depict the scene that morning in the “front:” the dismayed soldiers of King Saul watching and listening to the boastful, impious words, as the giant champion shouted them across the narrow ravine which parted the outposts of the two armies; the enthusiastic shepherd boy, glowing with religious fervour, going from group to group of the advanced guard in the front, as they stood gloomily leaning on their spears, asking questions, and gleaning all the information possible about this insulter of his God.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

26. the living God] Jehovah as the one “living and true God” is contrasted with the idols of the heathen “which have no breath in their mouths.” Cp. Deu_5:26, and esp. 2Ki_19:4.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And David spake to the men that stood by him,.... Who were next to him, looking upon the Philistine, and hearing what he said:

saying, what shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine,

and taketh away the reproach from Israel? which he asked not for the sake of the reward, but to observe the necessity there was of some man's engaging with him, and killing him, or otherwise it would be a reproach to Israel, and to signify that he had an inclination to attempt it:

for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? there were two things which provoked David, and raised indignation in him against this man; the one was, the character of the person that reproached, a Philistine, an uncircumcised person, a profane man, that had no true religion in him, an alien from the commonwealth of Israel, and a stranger to the covenants of promise; and the other was the persons whom he reproached, the armies of the living God, of the King of kings, and Lord of lords; and which in effect was reproaching the Lord himself, and which David, filled with zeal for God, and for his people, could not bear; and the consideration of these things animated him to engage with him, not doubting of success.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

The living God - This fine expression occurs first in Deuteronomy (marginal reference), and next in Jos 3:10, and 2Ki 19:4. We find it twice in the Psalms of David Psa 42:2; Psa 84:2, four times in the prophets, and frequently in the New Testament. It is generally in contrast to false gods (1Th 1:9, etc.).

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Why should you all be thus dismayed at him? he is but a man, and that of an accursed race, a stranger and enemy to God, and no way able to stand before them who have the living and almighty God for their strength and refuge.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

takes away the disgrace from Israel

This can be expressed with the verb "disgrace." AT: "stops Israel from being disgraced" or "stops him from disgracing Israel" (See: Abstract Nouns)

Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?

David said this to show his anger that this Philistine was defying God's army. AT: "This uncircumcised Philistine certainly has no power that he should defy the armies of the living God!" (See: Rhetorical Question)

this uncircumcised Philistine

This phrase is an insult and indicates that Goliath does not belong to the living God.

translationWords

David

Philistines

Israel

circumcise

God

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.