171 Now the Philistines got their armies together for war, and came together at Socoh in the land of Judah, and took up their position between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim. 2 And Saul and the men of Israel came together and took up their position in the valley of Elah, and put their forces in order against the Philistines. 3 The Philistines were stationed on the mountain on one side and Israel on the mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them. 4 And a fighter came out from the tents of the Philistines, named Goliath of Gath; he was more than six cubits tall. 5 And he had a head-dress of brass on his head, and he was dressed in a coat of metal, the weight of which was five thousand shekels of brass. 6 His legs were covered with plates of brass and hanging on his back was a javelin of brass. 7 The stem of his spear was as long as a cloth-worker's rod, and its head was made of six hundred shekels' weight of iron: and one went before him with his body-cover. 8 He took up his position and in a loud voice said to the armies of Israel, Why have you come out to make war? Am I not a Philistine and you servants of Saul? Send out a man for yourselves and let him come down to me. 9 If he is able to have a fight with me and overcome me, then we will be your servants: but if I am able to overcome him, then you will be our servants and do work for us. 10 And the Philistine said, I have put to shame the armies of Israel this day; give me a man so that we may have a fight together. 11 And Saul and all Israel, hearing those words of the Philistine, were troubled and full of fear.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:1-11
Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:1-11
(Read 1 Samuel 17:1-11)
Men so entirely depend upon God in all things, that when he withdraws his help, the most valiant and resolute cannot find their hearts or hands, as daily experience shows.