And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.
Study Helps
Interpretation
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.
Read with
This thought runs through 1 Samuel 17:55-58.
Glossary
- Saul Person
- Asked for. (1. ) A king of Edom ( Gen. 36:37 , 38); called Shaul in 1 Chr. 1:48 .
- David Person
- Beloved, the eighth and youngest son of Jesse, a citizen of Bethlehem. His father seems to have been a man in humble life. His mother’s name is not recorded. Some think she was the Nahash of 2 Sam. 17:25 .
- Abner Person
- Father of light; i. e., “enlightening”, the son of Ner and uncle of Saul. He was commander-in-chief of Saul’s army ( 1 Sam. 14:50 ; 17:55 ; 20:25 ).