5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels[1] ;

Other Translations of 1 Samuel 17:5

King James Version

5 And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed armed: Heb. clothed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.

English Standard Version

5 He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekelsA shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams of bronze.

The Message

5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and was dressed in armor - 126 pounds of it!

New King James Version

5 He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze.

New Living Translation

5 He wore a bronze helmet, and his bronze coat of mail weighed 125 pounds.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:5

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.

38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head.

Other Translations of 1 Samuel 17:38

King James Version

38 And Saul armed David armed David...: Heb. clothed David with his clothes with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.

English Standard Version

38 Then Saul clothed David with his armor. He put a helmet of bronze on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail,

The Message

38 Then Saul outfitted David as a soldier in armor. He put his bronze helmet on his head and belted his sword on him over the armor.

New King James Version

38 So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail.

New Living Translation

38 Then Saul gave David his own armor-a bronze helmet and a coat of mail.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:38

Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:31-39

(Read 1 Samuel 17:31-39)

A shepherd lad, come the same morning from keeping sheep, had more courage than all the mighty men of Israel. Thus God often sends good words to his Israel, and does great things for them, by the weak and foolish things of the world. As he had answered his brother's passion with meekness, so David answered Saul's fear with faith. When David kept sheep, he proved himself very careful and tender of his flock. This reminds us of Christ, the good Shepherd, who not only ventured, but laid down his life for the sheep. Our experience ought to encourage us to trust in God, and be bold in the way of duty. He that has delivered, does and will continue to do so. David gained leave to fight the Philistine. Not being used to such armour as Saul put upon him, he was not satisfied to go in that manner; this was from the Lord, that it might more plainly appear he fought and conquered in faith, and that the victory was from Him who works by the feeblest and most despised means and instruments. It is not to be inquired how excellent any thing is, but how proper. Let Saul's coat be ever so rich, and his armour ever so strong, what is David the better if they fit him not? But faith, prayer, truth, and righteousness; the whole armour of God, and the mind that was in Christ; are equally needful for all the servants of the Lord, whatever may be their work.