One of my favorite movies isHoosierswhich is based on a true story of a small high school called Hickory (about 75 students) winning the 1952 state basketball championship of Indiana against a school with over 2000 students. After the coach of Hickory gives last minute instructions at the championship game, one of the pastors that followed the team comes into the dressing room supposedly to pray with the team. However, all he says is,“And David put his hand in the bag and took out a stone and slung it. And it struck the Philistine on the head and he fell to the ground.”
The story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17:1-58) represents one of the most dramatic events in the history of Israel. Before David met Goliath he was not very well known, even though he had served as Saul’s personal musician and one of his amour bearers. After David encountered this powerful Philistine warrior and won a decisive victory, he not only became a popular figure in Israel but also became well-known among the nations that surrounded Israel. All of this, of course, was within God’s plan and purpose for David. God provided him with a unique opportunity to prove himself and David responded well.
On an earlier occasion God had granted Israel a miraculous victory over the Philistine army. By all human standards, Israel should have been defeated mercilessly. However, the Lord’s blessing was still upon Saul and consequently upon Israel. Even though they were ill equipped for war, God assisted Israel with an earthquake, creating terrible confusion in the Philistine camp (see 1 Sam.14:12-23). Consequently, Israel won an unusual victory.
But in their own hearts the Philistines desperately wanted to capture Israel and bring them under their rule. They regrouped and once again“gathered their armies for battle.“This time, however, their tactic was different. Because of their severe defeat and loss of life at Michmash, they decided to confront Israel with a single warrior who would challenge a soldier from Israel. As was common in warfare in those days, the armies could agree that battle would be won or lost based on the battle of these representatives or “Champions.” The side that lost through their representative would voluntarily become servants of the other.
The Philistine representative was a sight to behold. He stood at least nine feet six inches tall. Even Saul, who from the shoulders up was taller than any other man in Israel, appeared small as compared to Goliath. Every day, twice a day, for 40 days, this huge Philistine went down to the valley floor and shouted up to the children of Israel, challenging someone to come out and fight him. His words were clear and very insulting to Israel:
“Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel,Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choosea man and have him come down to me.If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.Then the Philistine said,This day I defythe armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.’’
There was not a man in the army of Israel who dared to accept the challenge – especially since their leader, the tallest of them all, was paralyzed with fear.
But then the unexpected happened! David had been doing two jobs while his brothers were away with the Army of Israel. He played his harp for Saul during his periods of depression and in between times he helped his father. When Goliath first appeared, David was home tending his father Jesse’s sheep. However, some time during the 40 days when Goliath was shouting out his challenge, Jesse asked David to take some food to his older brothers who were in the army and to also see how they were doing.
When David arrived on the scene, he saw Goliath come down from the mountain and heard him shout out his challenge to Israel:
“David asked the men standing near him,What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgracefrom Israel? Who is this uncircumcisedPhilistine that he should defythe armies of the livingGod?”
David was angry, not only because of his national pride, but because the name of God was being put to open shame (see 17:26). Without fear, and to the surprise of his fellow Israelites, David volunteered to accept the giant’s challenge.
Saul tried to convince David he would not have a chance against Goliath. “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him;for you are but ayouthwhile he has been a warriorfromhis youth”(17:33). In other words, Saul believed David would virtually be committing suicide.
But Saul was looking at things from man’s point of view. Also, he did not know of David’s special skills with a sling by which he had use against lions and bears when they tried to take off his sheep. Saul did not comprehend God’s special blessing upon this young man. When he saw that David was determined, he at first loaded him down with his own armour (man’s view). But David knew that he could not function properly with the extra weight. He was also not use to fighting under those conditions. He needed freedom of movement. He stripped off the armour and went down into the valley to face the giant in his shepherd’s clothes with nothing in his hands but a shepherd’s staff, a sling and five smooth stones in a shepherd bag.
Goliath must have been dumbfounded and felt insulted. Coming out to meet him with no protection, not even a shield bearer was David. With no armour or helmet to cover his youthful appearance and his red hair, Goliath recognized immediately he was facing an inexperienced young man. His anger reached a fever pitch and in his humiliation he cursed David. At this moment he may have thrown his helmet to the ground to face David with an unprotected head. Whatever happened, quick as a flash, before the Philistine knew what happened, the stone from David’s sling pierced his forehead and the giant crashed to the ground, dead!
The Philistine army watched in horror as David severed Goliath’s head from his body with the warrior’s own sword. Then the Philistines fled, with the army of Israel in hot pursuit.
With this victory David entered a new era of his life, particularly in his relationship to the people of Israel. Unknown to him, however, he would have to travel a very difficult road before he finally became the recognized by the people as king of Israel.
Observations:
Goliath Placed Confidence in Himself and His Weapons:The Bible states:He was over nine feettall!He wore a bronze helmet, and his bronze coat of mail weighed 125 pounds.He also wore bronze leg armor, and he carried a bronze javelin on his shoulder.The shaft of his spear was as heavy and thick as a weaver’s beam, tipped with an iron spearhead that weighed 15 pounds.(NLT)
Goliath Was Proud and Arrogant:Goliath appeared before Israel with total self-confidence in his ability to defeat and kill any man who dared to face him on the battlefield.
Goliath Worshiped False Gods:When David approached him, Goliath said in anger:“Am I a dog,”he roared at David,that you come at me with a stick?”And he cursed David by the names of his gods.(17:43).Goliath did not worship the one, true God. The Philistines were deeply immersed in the Canaanites’ religious culture and worshiped false gods such as Dagon and Baalzebub (see Judges 16:23, 24; 1 Sam. 5:1-5; 2 Kings 1:2-6).
Goliath‘s perspectiverepresents a man of this world. He knew nothing of trusting God and honoring Him with his life. His confidence was purely in himself, in his military skills and in his armour. He did not comprehend, or at least refused to acknowledge, the one true God. And all of this, of course, made him extremely vulnerable to a man who did have skill, but who also had a dynamic relationship with the living God.David’s perspectiveon life in many respects was diametrically opposed to Goliath.
David Was Concerned About God’s Reputation:The fact that Goliath was taunting Israel bothered David tremendously, not so much because of his national pride but because Israel represented God’s chosen people. To attack Israel was to attack theGodof Israel.
Furthermore, David wanted all people to know that it was God who helped Israel to win battles. He was concerned that neither he nor anyone in Israel ever take glory that belonged to the Lord. Thus he said,“Today theLordwill conquer you, and I will kill you and cut offyour head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel!And everyone assembled here will know that theLordrescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is theLord’s battle, and he will give you to us.”(17:46, 47).
David HadConfidence andFaith in God:When Saul tried to convince him he could never defeat Goliath, David’s response was very revealing:The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from thehand of this Philistine(17:37). And as he approached Goliath, he called out,“Youcometo mewith a sword,a spear, and a javelin,but Icome to you in the name of the Lord of hosts,the God ofthe armies of Israel,whom youhave taunted.”(17:45).
David Had Faithin Himself:David knew his own abilities and skills. When clothed in Saul’s armour, he knew hecould not function properly. He had great confidence in his ability to throw a stonewith accuracy. But just in case he missed the first time, he had four more stones as back-up ammunition. In other words, David displayed a balance between his faith in God and in his own skills and abilities. Though he knew he was accurate, he did not want to take his accuracy for granted.
David Was Prepared for This Moment:David’s skill with a sling was not an inherited ability. He no doubt spent many hours practicing out on the hillside while he was watching his father’s sheep.In Israel, a sling was really a weapon, and many learned to use it with accuracy:
Among Benjamin’s elite troops, 700 were left-handed, and each of them could sling a rock and hit a target within a hairsbreadth without missing.(Judges 20:16)
Lessons for Today
How does this lesson apply to those who follow the way of Goliath? Goliath clearly represents the unbeliever who does not know God at all. Everything Goliath did applies to the person who has not put his faith in Christ for salvation.
What about you? Do you know Christ personally? Are you trusting in yourself and what you can do? Or are you trusting in Jesus Christ to be your personal Saviour? If not, why not accept Jesus Christ today?
How does this lesson apply to those who follow the way of David?David, of course, at this time in his life represents the Christian who is spiritual — the one who is following God with his whole heart and obeying His Word. How do you measure up? The following questions may help you:
1.How concerned am I about God‘s reputation? Many of us call ourselves “Christians,” which means we claim to be followers of Jesus Christ. We have taken on His name. But how concerned are we that as His representatives we constantly and consistently bring honor to His name?“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God — even as I try to please everybody in every way.So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentilesor the church of God.I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ”(1 Cor. 10:31-11:1).
2.How much do I trust God to help me achievemy goals?In our achievement oriented culture it is very easy to go at our tasks totally in our own strength, not realizing how important it is to trust God in all things. God’s desire is that we trust Him at all times. Note God’s will in this matter as it is spelled out in the book of Proverbs:Trust in theLordwith all your heartanddo not lean on your own understanding.In all your waysacknowledge Him, and He willmake your paths straight.(Proverbs 3:5, 6).
3.Do Ibalance faith in God with confidencein myself?The story of Davidfacing Goliath beautifully balances this truth. On the one hand he knew the battle wasthe Lord’s. On the other hand, he had confidence he could defeat Goliath with his unique skillwith a sling-shot. Some Christians go to two extremes. Either they sit around and wait for Godto fight their battles. Or they are out trying to win all by themselves. God wants us to balancethis truth in our lives.
4.How prepared am I to do what God wants to achieve through me at any given moment?God bypasses some Christians because they fall to become prepared for the situations where God wants to use them in special ways. David illustrates preparedness. He developed skill. And when he had an opportunity, God used that skill. How prepared are you for the time when God will want to do special things through your life?
