And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
My Notes
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Gill's Exposition
And I went out after him,.... Whether a lion or a bear; but mention after being made of his beard, a lion rather is meant:
and smote him; with his fist, or rather with his shepherd's staff:
and…
Barnes' Notes
His beard - Put here for his throat, or under jaw; neither lion nor bear has a beard properly speaking.
Adam Clarke
The slaying of the lion and the bear mentioned here, must have taken place at two different times; perhaps the verse should be read thus: I went out after him, (the lion). and smote him, etc. And when…
David is at length presented to Saul for his champion (Sa1 17:31) and he bravely undertakes to fight the Philistine (Sa1 17:32): Let no man's heart fail because of him. It would have reflected too…
Cambridge Bible
by his bard Cp. the Homeric epithet of the lion, "well-bearded;" (λὶς ἠϋγένειος : Il.XV. 275); and the Latin proverb "to pluck the beard of a dead lion" (barbam vellere mortuo leoni).
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