48 Then it happened when the Philistine rose and came and drew near to meet David , that David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine . 49 And David put his hand into his bag and took from it a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead . And the stone sank into his forehead , so that he fell on his face to the ground . 50 Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone , and he struck the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword in David's hand . 51 Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead , they fled . 52 The men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted and pursued the Philistines as far as the valley , and to the gates of Ekron . And the slain Philistines lay along the way to Shaaraim , even to Gath and Ekron . 53 The sons of Israel returned from chasing the Philistines and plundered their camps . 54 Then David took the Philistine's head and brought it to Jerusalem , but he put his weapons in his tent . 55 Now when Saul saw David going out against the Philistine , he said to Abner the commander of the army , "Abner , whose son is this young man ?" And Abner said , "By your life , O king , I do not know ." 56 The king said , "You inquire whose son the youth is." 57 So when David returned from killing the Philistine , Abner took him and brought him before Saul with the Philistine's head in his hand . 58 Saul said to him, "Whose son are you, young man ?" And David answered , " I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:48-58
Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:48-58
(Read 1 Samuel 17:48-58)
See how frail and uncertain life is, even when a man thinks himself best fortified; how quickly, how easily, and by how small a matter, the passage may be opened for life to go out, and death to enter! Let not the strong man glory in his strength, nor the armed man in his armour. God resists the proud, and pours contempt on those who defy him and his people. No one ever hardened his heart against God and prospered. The history is recorded, that all may exert themselves for the honour of God, and the support of his cause, with bold and unshaken reliance on him. There is one conflict in which all the followers of the Lamb are, and must be engaged; one enemy, more formidable than Goliath, still challenges the armies of Israel. But "resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Go forth to battle with the faith of David, and the powers of darkness shall not stand against you. But how often is the Christian foiled through an evil heart of unbelief!