20 So David arose early in the morning and left the flock with a keeper and took the supplies and went as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the circle of the camp while the army was going out in battle array shouting the war cry . 21 Israel and the Philistines drew up in battle array, army against army . 22 Then David left his baggage in the care of the baggage keeper , and ran to the battle line and entered in order to greet e his brothers . 23 As he was talking with them, behold , the champion e , the Philistine from Gath named Goliath , was coming up from the army of the Philistines , and he spoke these same words ; and David heard them. 24 When all the men of Israel saw the man , they fled from him and were greatly afraid . 25 The men of Israel said , "Have you seen this man who is coming up? Surely he is coming up to defy Israel . And it will be that the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father's house free in Israel ." 26 Then David spoke to the men who were standing by him, saying , "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel ? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine , that he should taunt the armies of the living God ?"
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:20-26
Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:12-30
(Read 1 Samuel 17:12-30)
Jesse little thought of sending his son to the army at that critical juncture; but the wise God orders actions and affairs, so as to serve his designs. In times of general formality and lukewarmness, every degree of zeal which implies readiness to go further, or to venture more in the cause of God than others, will be blamed as pride and ambition, and by none more than by near relations, like Eliab, or negligent superiors. It was a trial of David's meekness, patience, and constancy. He had right and reason on his side, and did not render railing for railing; with a soft answer he turned away his brother's wrath. This conquest of his own passion was more honourable than that of Goliath. Those who undertake great and public services, must not think it strange if they are spoken ill of, and opposed by those from whom they expect support and assistance. They must humbly go on with their work, in the face not only of enemies' threats, but of friends' slights and suspicions.