David vs. Goliath
“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.” I Samuel 17:45
King Saul had agreed to let David make an effort to rid Israel of the Philistine giant, Goliath, who had been taunting and threatening Israel’s army, but Saul didn’t really seem to have very much confidence in David’s ability to secure victory over this formidable enemy. As an aid to David, Saul brought out his armor consisting of his helmet of brass and a coat of mail, which was a piece of flexible body armor made of small, overlapping metal rings and loops of chain. David then strapped a sword to his side, but the entire outfit felt awkward, too big, and cumbersome. This makes me think of Randy in “The Christmas Story” when his mother dressed him for the bitter cold and snow in order for him to walk to school. He was so bundled up that he began to whine because he couldn’t move his arms. David didn’t whine, rather he just removed the armor. I guess one could say that David dropped the baggage that would have hindered him (Hebrews 12:1).
David was wise enough to know that he needed to depend on the LORD for victory. He also was smart enough to know that he could not fight Goliath with any conventional form of combat. He went down to a nearby stream and chose five small smooth stones, dropped them into his shepherd’s bag, and took his sling along with him. He confidently approached the valley from where Goliath had been taunting Israel for 40 days. Goliath began to step further out into the valley in David’s direction with the man who carried his shield before him. For a moment, considering what we already know about Goliath and about David, picture the very obvious contrast between the two: a giant decked out in military armor with a humongous sword and a young man dressed like a shepherd carrying a small bag, a sling, and a staff. I can almost hear Goliath saying, “You’ve got to be kidding me! He’s just a kid. Is this the best that Israel has to offer? This is going to be a piece of cake”. I can also almost hear the Philistine soldiers laughing their heads off. What were Israel’s military leaders thinking?
Goliath wasn’t just surprised at the perceived weak and insignificant opponent whom Israel sent to challenge him; he was also insulted. What sort of glory would he receive by pulverizing a mere child? Did he consider that this may be a trick? He cursed David, but, to David, those words were just empty threats. Fearless and confident, David replied to Goliath (paraphrasing), “You may have a sword, a spear, and a shield, but that’s all you’ve got. I come to you with all the power in heaven and on earth from the God of the armies of Israel, the God that you have defied”.
After several back-and-forth insults and threats between David and Goliath, the last one was issued by David as he assured Goliath that the LORD would deliver him into his hand, enabling David to strike him and cut off his head. Then the birds and beasts would have a big, all-you-can-eat meal from his carcass. After witnessing that sight, all people would know that the LORD saves not with a sword and spear, that the battle is the LORD’s, and that He would be the One to hand this giant over to Israel (17:47). Goliath then began to come toward David, and David ran to meet him as he put his hand in his bag, took out one stone, and slung it toward Goliath. The stone hit him right in his forehead, sinking down into his flesh, taking his life from him as he fell onto the ground. David ran to his dead body, took Goliath’s sword, and cut off his head, just as David foretold. The Philistine army, seeing that their chief warrior was dead at the hand of a shepherd boy, ran and were pursued by Israel’s army, who wounded many of them. Israel’s men then returned and confiscated the belongings and supplies of the Philistine soldiers.
As followers of the Lord of lords and King of kings, we battle against evil every day. We are constantly bombarded by our political system, the entertainment industry, the workplace, in school, and many other places by thoughts, words, images, and actions of many who defy the living God. They may not be giants with swords and spears, but they are no less troublesome to us as we strive to live circumspectly in this sin-cursed world as representative of Christ whom we serve. Like Goliath, unbelievers may feel superior to those of us who are born again, but unless they repent of their sins and believe on Christ, they will suffer for all eternity. They will know the truth after it is too late. As Christians, we may experience more good times than bad ones, but it is the difficult events in our lives that make a greater impact upon us. No matter how big our problems are, we have a God who is bigger than our problems, who knows exactly what to do to help us, and who will show us the way if we only ask. As David said, “The battle is the LORD’s”. It is good to know that He is always fighting for us.