SEPTEMBER 19, 2024
“And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? …Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands.” (I Samuel 17:26, 45-47)
Saul and the fighting men of Israel drew up to confront the Philistine army when a Philistine champion came out of the crowd. The champion was the giant Goliath of Gath. He towered over the Israelites with his great height and struck fear into their hearts. He called to the army and demanded a champion from among their ranks to come into the valley and fight with him to decide the conflict. In ancient times, it was common practice for an army or nation to name a champion to fight one-on-one against the opposition’s champion. This was done to end the conflict quickly as well as minimize bloodshed. Instead of entire armies battling, it would just be one of two men from either side killed.
We haven’t heard of any plan by the Philistines to do this, so it seems that Goliath hatched and acted upon this plan on his own. He was breathtakingly self-assured and proud. His thought was that he was too mighty to fall. “Who could stand in my way when I’m so tall, my muscles are so big, and my breastplate is so heavy,” he probably thought.
Enter David. The son of Jesse had three older brothers who had chosen to follow Saul and the army into battle. His father tasked him with bringing food to his brothers and the rest of the Israelite army at their encampment. Upon entering, David saw the fearful state that the giant had put the military into, and in verse 26, he expresses the reason for his confidence. He says, “Who does this guy think he is, that he can oppose God’s army?” The source of his resolve was the belief that God will deliver His people, echoed many times in the Psalms.
After making this statement of confidence, word was spread to Saul, who sent for David. He then volunteers to fight the Philistine, but the King counters by claiming, rightfully, that David is just a boy while Goliath has been fighting his entire life. David then tells Saul of a lion and a bear who had attacked his flock of sheep that he had the strength to defeat. He goes on to say, “The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.” (Vs. 37)
He then goes into the valley to meet Saul in battle and reaffirm his stated confidence, which we see in verses 45-47. The young boy stands firm while all the grown men in the Israelite army are shaken and afraid. His confidence doesn’t come from his strength and experience. David finds the strength to face the Giant in his God. He says, “This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand…” (Vs. 46) Goliath insulted David, sure, but He openly defied the Lord and His army; for that, he had to pay.
David could confidently strut down the hill and confront Goliath because he knew His God would see him through. This is what fuels David’s resolve. Christians should always be careful when emulating David because he was not perfect; he just served a perfect God (and, based on his writings, he agreed). But, when we face adversity, we should remember the source of David’s confidence: the strength, power, and providence of his Heavenly Father. We should find the fortitude to push forward in our God as David did so many times.
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