John Gill Commentary 1 Samuel 17:35

"I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth; and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him." — 1 Samuel 17:35 (ASV)

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 ^F7 (liv heugeneiov) , 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 14:5Judges 14:6) , or slew him with some weapon in his hand.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F7: Iliad. 17. ver. 109. & Iliad. 18. ver. 318.