Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1903-08-07
The SABBA7Y SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments Tor
August 9.
Subject David and Goliath, Sam. xviii, 3S'f9
Golden Text. Rom. viii. 3l-Memoty
Verses, 4S.47- Commentary on
thc Days Lesson.

Verses, 1911 Commentary on
tic Days Lesson.
I. David offers to fight Goliath Tvs. 81
81. The giant, Goliath, who came out as
the champion of the Philistines, belonged
to the primitive race of the Anaklm, o.
which the Israelites had found small
remnant at the time of the conquest, f0ui
hundred years before Mum. 1892, 80;
Josh. IA: l2). These, driven out by the
Israelites, attached themselves to the Phil
istines: and Goliath appears to have been
one of family of giants, all Of whom were
slain by David and hts men q Sam. Il: 10
22). Goliath's height has been .variousy
estimated at from nine to eleven feet' MS
armor is estimated to have ,Welghed ABOUT
Isl pounds; while the head OF ms spear
weighed about nineteen POUNDS. In those
were of immeasurable advantage IN bate
Tb;s armed and plumed giant dehed the
armies of Israel morning and evening for
forty DAYS. His appearance sent dismay
into the hearts of Saul and his people
None of Saups soldiers dared to fllght WITH with
him. for no one could overcome him with
the ordinary weapons OF war. put just
At this point David appeared on the. scene,
and much to the establishment OF Saul,
offered TO champion the cause of Israel
and 90 out and meet the Philistine.
II. The weapons chosen (ys. @-4O)' 3S3
20. "His armor" The word for, ",armor
in the Revised Version is apparel" Prob
ably a special military dress adapted to D., be
worn with armor. Goat Of mall" The
ancient Hebrews were particularly. atten'
tive to the personal safety OF their war.
riors. The coat of mail was usually made
of leather OF some plant material some,
times covered with metallic scales, and
canable OF taking the form of the parts
If the body it protected. "Assayed to CO.
Endeavored to go. BY making the attempt
David showed his courtesy and Difference
70 his superiors. Cannot go with these.
The shrewd, practical sense Of David adj
monished him of the folly of attempting
such a combat with weapons with which
he had no skill. He is wise man who
knows what he cannot do as well as what VIA
he can. "Put them off" This was like.
wise from the Lord. who would have IT
made manifest that His servant fought and
conquered by faith, and that the, victory
was from Him, who works by the most
despised means and instruments.
%. "His staff" His shepherds crook.
give smooth stones" Had they p een
rough or angular, they would not nave
passed easily through the air, ana tne
roughness would, in the course .ot d Gneir
ton. Had they not been smooth, they
conld not have been readily sent from tho
Sing. shepherds bag" Used to carry
his his, daily food. "Sling." A favoritee weapon
of Eastern shepherds. 1t was also very
effective in war, and was regularly EN-
nloyed. not only by the Israeite. troops;
but also by the Syrians, the Egyptians and
the Persians. The sling is composed OF two
strings and a leathern strap. The strap
Is in the middle, and is the place where
the stone lies. The string on the, right
end of the strap is firmly fastened to the
hand, The string on the left is held be-
tween the thumb and middle joint OF the
fore-fnger. 1t is then ,whirled two or
three times round the head and When
discharged, the finger and thumb let go
their hold of the left end OF the strihg.
The sling was formidable weapon IN tn nS
hand of skilful person. A stone c c,al,a
# az fatal as rife-ball. 1t was very
common weapon in David's time. Seven
hundred 'elt,hasded B 5s55nf @iss '0Ola
, III David and Goliath meet (ys. 49, r.,
4-43. "Philistine came on. G9siai'nii ,i In
ing tramp under the hundredweight OF
metal" Looked about" He scanned the
whole scene. and could hardly persuade
himself that this boy was lsraefs cham
MON "Disdained him." Goliath seemed
insulted that such a young unarmed lad
as David should approach HIM; Am L
n dog" He hurls thrust at David, sus-
costing that he knew no more than TO con-
troll his shepherd dog, and ignorantly sup
nosed he could be as successful with him.
Pride goeth before destruction. ana ,oi
naughty spirit before fall prov. l6;ls).
':By his gods" These gods were such as
Dagon, Baal and Astarte. The combat
thus became question not merely pcI"eeli'
David and Goliath, but between Goa anu
idols. If Goliath was successful then lG1.,
airy would gain a stronger hold upon 'ne
people. >, -, L., D,,.;d
to venture near, declaring he will exhibit
his great strength in pulling HIM INTO
pieces. 1t was common when two cham
Mons met that each should make speech,
to the other. and thus Goliath scorned.i
the shepherd boy. "Then said David.
There was no mistake about their coming
together. 1t was intended. David spoke
with as much assurance as did Goliath,
and felt no shame because of the contrast
between their authority. Nothing can
exceed the modesty, the faith, the piety
and the zeal for the glory of God and the
cause of Israel and of true religion, when
glow in this most beautiful speech, hast
de6ed." David trusted in the God whom
Goliath defed and relied upon HIM as
safely as Goliath did upon his sword ana
spear and physical power, ,ry hi,
46, Al. twill the Lord deliver" ms
e 81 n the
glory to God in advance. Earth may ma
Know" Here the language is prophetic
and rises above that immediate occasion
and declares how other nations and times
shall hear of that days victory and shall
give God the glory. "This assembly.
David speaks as If it were a gathering Tor
worship instead of battle array. lie
addresses himself to this combat, rather
as a priest going to offer sacrifice to the
instice of God than as a soldier going to
engage an enemy of his country. ~
~. Goliath slain Tvs. 1854. AZ, AZ.
"Arose and came" Goliath saw that his
challenge was accepted, though scorning
to fight with David, yet he advanced TO
meet him in great pretense TO dignity,
"David hasted" He did not try to make
a display of his power. He was, intent
on being instant in season, and advanced
tn do real execution. He could not wait
for Goliath to strike the first blow. That
would be presumption; When each ad.
vanced to meet the other, it was proper
to make the attack. "In his forehead,
It does not appear that the ancient he!'
NETS had any covering for the face The
Septuagint supposes that the stone passed
through the helmet, and sank into his
forehead. -,
1854. David then ran and took the
sword of Goliath and cut off the head OF
the ghnt. As soon as the Philistines saw