David And Goliath

            The Bible is filled with events that are amazing and awe inspiring.  One has to do with a youngster and a giant.  Even some of the least Biblically educated have heard of the account of David and Goliath.  Some believe that the record is only a legend, but it is historically accurate.  Let us take a few moments to either remind ourselves, or learn anew, some great things from this encounter.

            First of all, the episode took place during a time of war.  The Philistines, of which Goliath was one, were ready to fight with the Israelites.  Out of all of the Philistine soldiers, Goliath was their “champion”.  The Bible indicates that his height was “six cubits and a span” (1 Sam. 17:4).  Some believe that would have made him 9ft. 9in. tall.  Regardless, he was certainly a mountain of a man.  Goliath, in his confidence and arrogance, stated, “Why are ye come out to set your battle in array?  am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul?  choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.  If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then we will be your servants:  but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us…I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together” (1 Sam. 17:8-10).  This challenge was presented for forty days (1 Sam. 17:16).

            The Israelites should have been confident that the LORD would be with them.  Thus, even though Goliath was intimidating, the Israelites should not have feared him.  Unfortunately, “When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid” (1 Sam. 17:11).

            After being sent with food, David, a shepherd youth, arrived to the standoff between the Philistines and Israelites.  This time, David was able to hear the words of Goliath (1 Sam. 17:23).  His indignation was strong, for he said, “…who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God” (1 Sam. 17:26).  One of David’s older brothers, Eliab, became angry with David.  David’s response was, “What have I now done?  Is there not a cause” (1 Sam. 17:29)?

            Saul, the king of Israel, heard about David’s words.  David told him, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine” (1 Sam .17:32).  Saul was not confident that David could defeat such an imposing opponent as Goliath (1 Sam. 17:33).  It was then that David rehearsed an account that he had with a lion and a bear.  David’s confidence did not come in his own abilities, for he stated, “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” (1 Sam. 17:37).

            After refusing armour and a sword, David “…took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand:  and he drew near to the Philistine” (1 Sam. 17:40).  This is all that David prepared for the battle.  When Goliath saw his young opponent, he said, “Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves” (1 Sam. 17:43).  His arrogance was so strong that he told David that he would allow animals to feast on the youth’s body.  David’s response is motivational and worthy of admiration.  David said, “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” (1 Sam. 17:45-47).  It was then that David took a stone from his bag, and used his sling to propel the stone into the forehead of Goliath.  The impact was so strong that the stone “sunk” into Goliath’s forehead.  Without major weapons of war, David defeated the imposing Goliath.

            There are going to be times in our lives when obstacles may seem to be insurmountable.  We should remember the account of David and Goliath.  Nothing is too much for God.  If we are faithful to Him, we should not be fearful (Heb. 13:6).  Let us have faith as strong as David’s, and let us have the courage that he demonstrated as well.
~ Corey Barnette