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1Sa_17:39 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.
Ver. 39. I cannot go with these.] If Saul’s coat be never so rich, and his armour never so strong, what is David the better if they fit him not? It is not to be inquired how excellent anything is, but how proper. If we could wish another man’s honour, when we feel the weight of his cares, we should be glad to be in our own coat. {a}
For I have not proved them.] Or, Been accustomed to them. He had been Saul’s armourbearer for a short while, but never in any battle with him; he had led a rural and pastoral life; and for arms he could not well wield them, and was therefore soon weary of them. Press some people to the exercise of prayer, or any other piece of the armour of God, and they must say, if they say truly, as here, I cannot do in addition, for I have not been accustomed to it. Or if they have taken up such a custom, it may well be said of them as Sidonius saith {b} of King Theodoricus, that he so served God as that any man might see, quod servet illam pro consuetudine potius quam pro religione reverentiam, that he did it more of course, and of custom, than of conscience, or any good affection to God’s work.
{a} Dr Hall.
{b} Epist. i., lib. i.