Definition: And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved [it]. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved [them]. And David put them off him.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Samuel 17:39. It’s a really important and dramatic moment in the story of David and his battle against Saul. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, David was preparing to fight Saul. “And David girded his sword upon his armour…” – This is a very visual image. He’s putting on his armor, preparing for a fight. It shows he’s serious and ready. “…and he assayed to go; for he had not proved [it].” - “Assayed” means he tried hard, but he wasn't fully ready. “He assayed to go” is like saying he was trying, but he wasn't quite confident enough. It’s a little hesitant. “And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved [them].” – This is the core of the verse. David is telling Saul directly that he doesn’t feel ready to fight. He's essentially saying, "I don’t think I can win this battle." What does it mean in context? This verse shows a crucial shift in strategy. David wasn't just trying; he was testing his ability. He realized that Saul was a formidable opponent, and he needed to prove himself strong enough before confronting him. He was recognizing the challenge and knowing he couldn’t win if he didn’t prepare properly. It highlights: David's Confidence: It shows David’s confidence in his own abilities, even when facing a great threat. Strategic Thinking: It demonstrates a proactive approach – anticipating a problem and preparing for it. In short, this verse describes David taking the initiative to prepare himself for a difficult battle. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of 1 Samuel? Give you some context about Saul’s situation at the time?