SEV Biblia, Chapter 17:28
Y oyéndole hablar Eliab su hermano mayor con aquellos varones, Eliab se encendió en ira contra David, y dijo: ¿Para qué has descendido acá? ¿Y a quién has dejado aquellas pocas ovejas en el desierto? Yo conozco tu soberbia y la malicia de tu corazón, que para ver la batalla has venido.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 28. And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men , etc.] Heard the questions he put to them, by which he perceived his inclination: and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David ; because what he had said carried in it a tacit reproach of him, and others, that they had not the courage, and did not attempt to encounter with the Philistine; or the displeasure he expressed was either out of affection to him, fearing, or being assured almost he would perish in the enterprise; or rather out of envy to him, lest succeeding in so bold an action, he should gain superior glory to him, and the rest of his brethren, who yet was the youngest of them: and he said, why comest thou down hither ? for though David had talked with his brethren, or had begun to talk with them, yet he had not sufficiently explained the reasons of his coming: and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness ? the wilderness of Judea, or some wilderness near Bethlehem; by this he would not only insinuate a charge of unfaithfulness, in not taking care of his father’s flock committed to him; but his view was to make him look little and mean in the eyes of the people, that in the family he belonged to he was thought to be fit for nothing but to keep sheep, and those but a small flock, and in doing this was negligent and careless: I know thy pride, and the haughtiness of thine heart ; that he was too proud to keep sheep, and wanted to advance himself in the army, and make a figure there, and thereby gratify his vanity and ambition, which was the reverse of David’s character; for, such was his humility, that, though he was anointed king, and had been preferred in Saul’s court, yet condescended with all readiness to keep his father’s sheep; and what he now proposed was not from any bad principle in his heart, but purely for the glory of God, and the honour of the people of Israel, who were both reproached: for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle : out of curiosity, and to take every advantage and opportunity of signalizing and making himself famous.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 12-30 - Jesse little thought of sending his son to the army at that critica juncture; but the wise God orders actions and affairs, so as to serv his designs. In times of general formality and lukewarmness, ever degree of zeal which implies readiness to go further, or to ventur more in the cause of God than others, will be blamed as pride an ambition, and by none more than by near relations, like Eliab, or negligent superiors. It was a trial of David's meekness, patience, an constancy. He had right and reason on his side, and did not rende railing for railing; with a soft answer he turned away his brother' wrath. This conquest of his own passion was more honourable than tha of Goliath. Those who undertake great and public services, must no 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.
Original Hebrew
וישׁמע 8085 אליאב 446 אחיו 251 הגדול 1419 בדברו 1696 אל 413 האנשׁים 376 ויחר 2734 אף 639 אליאב 446 בדוד 1732 ויאמר 559 למה 4100 זה 2088 ירדת 3381 ועל 5921 מי 4310 נטשׁת 5203 מעט 4592 הצאן 6629 ההנה 2007 במדבר 4057 אני 589 ידעתי 3045 את 853 זדנך 2087 ואת 853 רע 7455 לבבך 3824 כי 3588 למען 4616 ראות 7200 המלחמה 4421 ירדת׃ 3381
