35 I went out after him, and struck him, and rescued it out of his mouth. When he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and struck him, and killed him.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
His beard - Put here for his throat, or under jaw; neither lion nor bear has a beard properly speaking.
The slaying of the lion and the bear mentioned here, must have taken place at two different times; perhaps the verse should be read thus: I went out after him, (the lion). and smote him, etc. And when he (the bear) rose up against me, I caught him by the beard and slew him.
And I went out after him,.... Whether a lion or a bear; but mention after being made of his beard, a lion rather is meant:
and smote him; with his fist, or rather with his shepherd's staff:
and delivered it out of his mouth; snatched it out from thence, or obliged him to drop it, by beating him:
and when he arose against me; after he had let go the lamb, threatening to tear him in pieces for attempting to disturb him in his prey, and take it away from him:
I caught him by his beard; such as lions have; hence a lion is often called in Homer (g) , the well-bearded lion. Kimchi thinks the beard with the nether jaw is meant, which David caught hold on:
and smote him, and slew him; tore him to pieces, as Samson did, Judges 14:5, or slew him with some weapon in his hand.
(g) Iliad. 17. ver. 109. & Iliad. 18. ver. 318.
*More commentary available at chapter level.