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 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, Jud 14:5, or slew him with some weapon in his hand. Iliad.
17. ver. 109. & Iliad. 18. ver.