What does 1 Samuel 17:38 mean?
The Israelites have been challenged to champion warfare by an imposing Philistine giant, Goliath (1 Samuel 17:1–10). The Philistine was nearly ten feet tall, or about three meters, covered in body armor, and equipped with the latest military technology. No Israelite soldier volunteered for the task (1 Samuel 17:11, 24), despite the promise of great reward (1 Samuel 17:25). But David, visiting his brothers on the battlefield, has heard the taunts (1 Samuel 17:23). He recognizes the enemy is shaming Israel and defying the armies of the living God. David offers to fight on Israel's behalf, confident that God will bring the victory (1 Samuel 17:31–37).King Saul reluctantly agreed. Now he attempts to outfit the young and inexperienced warrior with his own armor. Though likely less impressive than Goliath's gear (1 Samuel 17:5–7), Saul's armor would have been the best in Israel. He has his own helmet placed on David's head and his own coat of mail—or chain mail tunic—fitted over David's torso. Chain mail was designed to make it more difficult for spears and arrows to penetrate into a warrior's upper body. Commentators suggest that chain mail may not have been common during the era, reserved for only the most privileged warriors.
Some commentators speculate that perhaps Saul's motive for giving David his own armor was mixed. If David walked onto the field of battle dressed in Saul's armor, would some of those watching assume it was the king who had come to fight the giant? Would this have saved Saul from some shame or perhaps provided a strategic advantage if David were defeated and it turned out the king still lived to fight the enemy? Others wonder why Saul, known to be very tall (1 Samuel 9:2) would think it was a good idea for a younger man to wear his armor?
