DAVID VERSUS GOLIATH

1 Samuel 17

45 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.

46 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.

47 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.

David’s encounter with Goliath is such a classic victory that many of us adore and love to recite. It is a great example of what the LORD can do for His true followers. No matter how impossible or hopeless a situation seems to be, God knows how to turn it around using His vast power and wisdom. David, a nobody, fragile-looking boy triumphed against an enemy that was much bigger than him. This victory demonstrates useless power of physical weapons before God. Goliath came “with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield” (1 Samuel 17: 45) and his own strength, but he could not escape the judgment of God and fell into his demise. We must not be afraid because “the battle is the LORD’s” (1 Samuel 17: 47).

Goliath’s arrogance

Goliath was a giant, a veteran, and an experienced soldier. Goliath’s size alone was a force to be reckoned with. In 1 Samuel 17: 4, we see that he is “a champion out of the camp of the Philistines” with a height of “six cubits and a span” (Bricker, 2023). Depending on Bible translations and agreements on cubit compared to today’s measurements, Goliath’s height could be up to 7, 10, or 11 feet (Bricker, 2023). If we compare that height to our common today male heights, we can imagine the dreadful sight of Goliath. In fact, the army of Israel crumbled at the challenge Goliath brought to them (Bricker, 2023).

1 Samuel 17

10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.

11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.

Saul also advised against the idea that David will face Goliath.

1 Samuel 17

33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.

In addition to the size, the Bible tells us that Goliath was an experienced soldier with many years in the battlefields. He was “a champion” (1 Samuel 17: 4) (Bricker, 2023). He had fought in war since his youth (1 Samuel 17: 33).

Goliath is a presentation of multiple problems in Christian life. Many problems seem to be so huge and discouraging without solutions. We sink into the depth of hopelessness. We are desperate to find a solution. We keep thinking and praying, and then thinking and praying even more to no avail. We lose sleep and appetite. Our lives at this point are miserable. These problems are beyond a normal human’s capability. How can we fight a Goliath when we have no means and no strength within us? The worry is valid. Israel’s fear when they saw Goliath is actually understandable and often relatable.

As we continue to examine the situation, Goliath became proud and approached David disdainfully due to his advantages.

1 Samuel 17

42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.

43 And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.

We know that God truly hates pride.

Proverbs 11

2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

We must remember even if we are established or successful; even if we are pastors, teachers, evangelists, and prophets; even if we are respected within a community, we cannot think highly of ourselves and exude a prideful attitude. We have to learn to respect the elder and be humble to the ones lower than us.

1 Peter 5

5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

Goliath’s great mistake was he trusted in his own ability that cannot be compared to the power of the Almighty God.

Moreover, we also see that Goliath, a Philistine, had no regard for God. He worshiped wrong deities. He “cursed David by his gods” (1 Samuel 17: 43).

The giant had to face a swift downfall because he was full of pride and ignored the Lord his Creator after all.

David’s absolute trust and faith in God

Unlike Goliath, David, even though he was not strong physically compared to Goliath, was anointed with the Spirit of God. When Saul failed many times to obey God, God anointed and prepared David for His mission on earth at that time.

1 Samuel 16

13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

Remember the verse before. We notice David as a young person with no battle experience.

1 Samuel 17

42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.

However, what sets David apart from soldiers of Israel is his unwavering faith in the Lord to deliver him. How can a person so young, so small, so inexperienced have any chance to survive and win such a fight? Today, if we have any David among our midst, we may call him mad and delusional. The church needs to practice this boldness and faith to win more souls for the Kingdom of God. We must know that God is the Owner of this world, not men or any force of the devil. David walked into the fight with a certainty in his heart. We also should walk in assurance that God will deliver us and bring more victories as we obey His orders.

1 Samuel 17

36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

37 David said moreover, 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. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

Photo 1:

Amy and Carly of Fishnet Biblestories

https://www.freebibleimages.org/illustrations/fn-david-goliath/

The anointing of the Holy Spirit and trust in God gave David wisdom to fight this giant. Saul suggested armor, helmet, and a coat of mail (1 Samuel 17: 38). However, David knew that they would not be useful for him and could become hindrances. Instead, he chose smooth stones and his sling to tackle this problem and the rest is history.

1 Samuel 17

38 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.

39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.

40 And he 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.

If David had decided to fight Goliath in a usual way, he would not have stood a chance. The sling method was successful because Goliath, with his pride, was caught by surprise. Goliath would not believe that he was defeated by a little stone. Also, David did not have to meet a destructive force by the size of Goliath. Victory was achieved from afar. No matter how big an enemy is, the head is a vulnerable target for him. High speed of the flying stone had enough impact to bring Goliath down. A victory with a little effort. David was not even injured in any way. Who can think of such an extraordinary approach? The guidance from the Holy Spirit is beyond imaginable.

David displayed and proclaimed again and again his trust in God.

1 Samuel 17

47 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.

48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.

49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.

50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.

51 Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.

Photo 2: “The stone hit the giant right in the middle of the forehead.”

Moody publishers

https://www.freebibleimages.org/illustrations/moody-david-saul/

When we put trust in God and allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, God will open doors, teach us how to behave, and bring fruits into our lives. We can achieve the wisdom God gave to David by completely submitting our trust in God and His help. Submitting to God is not only by mouth, but the heart also has to believe. In the time of adversary, do we truly surrender to His deliverance or do we resort to our own wisdom and self-management?

1 Samuel 18

14 And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.

David’s heart is shown through numerous psalms dedicated to God. The famous psalmist declared:

2 Samuel 22

2 And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;

3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.

4 I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

5 When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;

6 The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;

7 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.

The faith of David was tested. He continued to demonstrate his trust in God in life-or-death situations. Many of us did not even reach that level of severity and we have already trembled. The victory of David is worth rejoicing, but we must learn to replicate his faith in God in all circumstances.

Mountains in the lives of Christians

After David destroyed Goliath, God continued to give Israel’s victory. The feat against giants was repeated. Below are a few examples of giant’s downfalls.

2 Samuel 21

19 And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Beth-lehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.

20 And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant.

21 And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew him.

Life, in general, is not an easy walk. Christian’ life adds several layers of difficulties due to misunderstanding, persecution, and hatred toward our faith. Despite trials and tribulations, we must maintain the positivity that the Lord shall fight for us and deliver us from troubles. There is no limit to what He can do. Believe that the solution is at the corner. God may teach us to overcome troubles soon. It can be through way so unusual or extraordinary, just as He taught David to use stones and sling.

Jesus teaches us to apply our faith in difficult situations. Do you think you can remove a mountain by your hands? And yet God advises us that if we believe a mountain can be removed by faith and prayers.

Matthew 21

21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Furthermore, God makes it clear that He will uplift the foolish and weak things of this world over the wise and mighty.

1 Corinthians 1

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

Bring any challenges of your life and submit them to the hands of God. Remember the key words “doubt not” and “believing” (Mathew 21: 21-22). Consider this life is temporary and all sufferings here shall pass away. Increase your trust and faith in Jesus Christ because “the battle is the LORD’s” (1 Samuel 17: 47).

Sam Christian

Feel free to share and no attribution required.

Acknowledgements

Vocabulary and grammar checks were done with the help of Dictionary.cambridge.org, Collinsdictionary.com, Microsoft Word, and Google Docs.

The Bible used is the King James Version by Christian Art Publishers, PO Box 1599, Vereeniging, 1930, RSA (King James Version Bible Large Print Thinline Edition, 2016). Some texts were inspired by boldfaced words from this Bible book. This work may be inspired by teachings during attendance at Deeper Life Bible Church, Bronx, New York.

Style of quotation followed partly the APA style-7th edition. Citation tool is by www.citefast.com.

Photos are from FreeBibleimages. You can freely use written content without restriction but please read and check with the term from the FreeBibleimages website if you wish to reuse image content of this writing.

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Photo 1:

These images are the copyright of Amy and Carly of Fishnet Bible stories who have granted FreeBibleimages permission to distribute them for educational and ministry use only. These images are licensed using a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Individual images can be used in educational or ministry web articles, blogs and social media with attribution to www.fishnetbiblestories.com
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Downloaded pictures can be used in the retelling of Bible stories and narrative that are faithful to the Biblical account. They are not to be used in any context where the accompanying message is undermining of the Christian faith and gospel.

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Individual Images can be used in educational presentations, web articles, blogs and social media with attribution to Moody Publishers / FreeBibleimages.org.
These images cannot be sold under any circumstances or used in any format for commercial gain.
You cannot redistribute this set of images online but you can create a link to the relevant page on FreeBibleimages.org to allow others to download these images under the same Terms of Download.
Downloaded pictures can be used in the retelling of Bible stories and narrative that are faithful to the Biblical account. They are not to be used in any context where the accompanying message is undermining of the Christian faith and gospel.

Reference

Bricker, S. (2023, March 24). What is the significance of Goliath’s height in the Bible? Christianity.com. https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/what-is-the-significance-of-goliaths-height-in-the-bible.html

DAVID VERSUS GOLIATH

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