1 Samuel 17:28-30 More trouble from his friends!

 ”Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was aroused against David, and he said, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.” And David said, “What have I done now? Is there not a cause?” Then he turned from him toward another and said the same thing; and these people answered him as the first ones did.“ I Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. Eliab’s anger was aroused against David: We might have thought that David’s visit would please Eliab, especially considering all the things he brought from home. But David’s words angered Eliab and there were many reasons why.

i. First, he was angry because he felt David was an insignificant, worthless person who had no right to speak up, especially with such bold words (Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness?).

ii. Second, he was angry because he felt he knew David’s motivation (I know your pride and the insolence of your heart), but he didn’t really know David’s heart. “Here he taketh upon him that which belongeth to God alone (Jeremiah 17:10), and judgeth David’s heart by his own.” (Trapp)

iii. Third, he was angry because he thought David tried to provoke someone else into fighting Goliath just so he could see a battle (you have come down to see the battle). Eliab himself was a tall man of good appearance (1 Samuel 16:7), and he may have felt David was trying to push him into battle.

iv. Finally, he was angry because David was right! When you are dismayed and greatly afraid or dreadfully afraid, the last thing in the world you want is someone telling you to be courageous.

b. What have I done now? Is there not a cause? David stuck to his position. There is no doubt that what his brother Eliab said hurt him, but he would not let it hinder him. David remained concerned with God’s cause before everything. Before his own personal safety, before his own personal glory, before his only personal honor, he had a passionate concern for God’s cause.

i. David was more concerned with God’s cause (Is there not a cause?) than with his own feelings. When David was misunderstood and publicly rebuked by his own brother, probably amid the laughs of the other soldiers, he could have quit. But he showed the strength of the armor of God in his life and replied rightly. He didn’t care about his glory or success, but only for the glory and success of the LORD’s cause. Goliath was a dead man right then. This is where the battle was won. If Eliab’s hurtful words could get David in the flesh and out of step with the Spirit of the LORD, then David’s strength would be gone. But when David ruled his spirit and answered softly, he was more in step with the Spirit of the LORD than ever. Goliath was defeated right then.

ii. “Immediately before the encounter with the Philistine he fought a battle which cost him far more thought, prudence, and patience. The word-battle in which he had to engage with his brothers and with king Saul, was a more trying ordeal to him than going forth in the strength of the Lord to smite the uncircumcised boaster. Many a man meets with more trouble from his friends than from his enemies; and when he has learned to overcome the depressing influence of prudent friends, he makes short work of the opposition of avowed adversaries.” (Spurgeon)

(Guzik)

“More trouble from his friends”

Today’s verses and commentary reminded me of an incident years ago on the playground at school during recess. My grandma gave me a new shirt that had a loop sewn on the back between the shoulders and a so called friend from my class came up behind me and grabbed it and ripped it off my shirt. While he stood there laughing unbeknownst to him my older brother walked up behind him and grabbed his shirt at both shoulders and ripped his shirt off his back. 

My brother said a few words to him but it wasn’t a word-battle because the bully was speechless.

My older brother always had my back and even though there were times we had word-battles I always will love him for the way he looked after me.

Have you ever experienced more trouble from your friends?

Blessings