James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary
1 Samuel 17:28
AN UNBROTHERLY BROTHER
‘Eliab’s anger was kindled against David.’
I. There is something in the character of Eliab which makes him unfit for the office of king.—Eliab seems to have become a great man afterwards. We read of him as a prince of the tribe of Judah, and of his daughter or his granddaughter as the queen of Rehoboam. But, though the eldest son of the house and of the tribe, there was wanting in him the especial spirit of David: he showed, though in less degree, the fault of Saul, and the very next thing we find him doing is exhibiting the contrary character to Samuel’s and David’s, and saying and doing exactly what Saul might have done.
II. It is an instance of envy, of harsh, uncharitable judgment.—When David came down with a message from his father, Eliab, utterly misunderstanding the case, caring nothing to know the rights of it, heedless of justice or of feeling, forgets that the boy has been sent by his father, sent for his good and sent at a risk, and he shows penetration, as he thinks, in accusing David of coming down merely to see the battle. How prone we all are to ascribe our neighbour’s act to self-seeking and self-conceit and self-indulgence, while for our own faults we find excuses, justifications, easy assertions! There are pleasures greater than triumphs, clearer insight than worldly penetration. Let us rejoice over each other’s good and discern each other’s goodness, because ‘charity envieth not, seeketh not her own, thinketh no evil.’
—Archbishop Benson.
Illustrations
(1) ‘The strong faith by which David was actuated was attended with a meek temper and a forbearing heart. “And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?” No railing returned for railing, when his noble spirit of self-sacrifice met with this undeserved abuse. This admirable spirit of self-command already marked out David as a ruler of men.’
(2) ‘The envious anger of Eliab against David, and David’s meekness and yet firm defence of his righteous indignation against this giant defier of Israel, form an instructive episode in this part of the narrative. The colloquy between Saul and David, too, is full of suggestion. Indeed, you read here the secret and inspiration of the after defiance, combat, and victory of David.’
(3) ‘ David and Eliab represent within the people of God the contrast between the disposition which looks above to the honour and the ends of the living God, and that which looks to earthly possession and earthly-worldly interests, which is not capable of recognising ideal moral motives in others, but judging by itself, ascribes to them only low and selfish aims. Selfishness, passionately roused by envy and jealousy, hinders a just judgment of the bearing and conduct of brethren, and leads to wicked accusation against them.’