30 David and Goliath – Part 2

1 Samuel 17 provides more than simply the account of a young David defeating the Philistine champion Goliath, but it shows how much more was taking place “below the surface” and on so many levels.

Yet, in every instance, we see David’s faithfulness, and sense of priority. That was never more evident, than when his father Jesse instructed him to take some provisions to his three brothers, who were part of Saul’s army, which were bracing for battle against the Philistines.

Goliath had been taunting the Israelites for forty days, daring anyone from Saul’s army to dare fight him. Yet not a single Israelite answered the challenge, but rather shrank in fear.

Therefore, it stands to reason, that David’s father Jesse would be concerned about his three sons on the battlefield, and therefore he sent David on his mission:

1 David’s Reconnaissance Mission

Rather than doing reconnaissance on the enemy (Philistines), young David was however, looking for information about the well-being of his three brothers.

1 Samuel 17:16-21

The Philistines were attempting to discourage the Israelites with Goliath’s constant verbal assault over forty days. And they certainly succeeded, as no one stepped up to the giant’s challenge.

However, as mentioned, that was only what was taking place on the surface. The Philistines weren’t the only enemy Israel was facing. It was also Satan’s plan to discourage them, and thus make them an easy prey for defeat. And he employs the same strategy against God’s people today.

Goliath is also a “type” of the devil, with his hurling constant accusation against the people of God:

Revelation 12:10

The great irony, is that while Goliath was continually berating the Israelites, David was continually showing himself faithful and obedient to his father:

• He faithfully tended his father’s sheep.
• Even when Jesse instructed him to go and bring back word of his brothers, David didn’t hesitate.
• Before departing, David made provision for the care of the sheep, showing he understood his primary responsibility.

2 David’s Observations

1 Samuel 17:22-24

While David greeted his brothers and began speaking with them, it was the first time he could see and hear the taunting of Goliath.

But he also observed the reaction of the soldiers, including his three brothers:

1 Samuel 17:24

While David was clearly walking with the Lord, the opposite was the case with everyone else.

The reaction of the people (including his brothers) was expected for those who weren’t walking with the Lord. They were operating in their own strength, and because they had such a great fear of Goliath, that strength had greatly diminished.

3 Saul’s Proposition

David then heard the soldiers speaking about how the king had vowed to reward the man who would challenge and kill Goliath:

1 Samuel 17:25-37

The soldiers were well-rehearsed in every detail with Saul’s enticing proposition, but even so, no one accepted the challenge.

Sadly, none of the Israelites were seeking the Lord’s help against Goliath, while at the same time, they had accepted they were powerless against him in their own strength, which is a great picture of the how we as believer’s need the Lord in all things:

Philippians 4:13

David had a completely different take, as he looked at things from a spiritual perspective:

1 Samuel 17:26b

David showed that his heart was completely for the Lord, and he looked at everything Goliath was doing, as an affront to the “living God”.

Those in the Israelite camp (including David’s brothers and Saul) were looking at everything purely on the physical level, while David understood the spiritual aspect.

David’s reaction, recalls the words of Paul for the believer:

Ephesians 6:12

When David’s brother Eliab heard David’s words, he became angry, and accused David of being prideful, and only coming to the camp to see them defeated by the Philistines.

Eliab’s attitude and words were a picture of someone without a heart for the Lord, and the complete opposite of David.

David, however responded to his brother, by declaring there was a “cause” at hand, speaking of the Lord’s cause:

1 Samuel 17:29b

David saw the cause as spiritual, in that he understood Goliath was defying not only the Lord’s army, but the Lord himself.

In verse 32, David then said he would fight Goliath. Saul at first responded, by saying that David couldn’t go up against Goliath, since the Philistine had been a warrior since his youth, whereas David was only “a youth”.

While his words were logical, it showed that he was completely out of God’s will.

David then advised the king of how he had often defended his father’s sheep against predatory animals, including lions and bears, and killed the animals.

David then again referred to how Goliath had “defied the armies of the Living God”, showing how he understood the battle against Goliath would be spiritual as well as physical, with Goliath therefore, representing the false gods of the Philistines.

In verse 37, David related that even in his previous encounters with the predatory animals, it was the Lord who delivered him. He knew things would be the same as God would give the victory over Goliath.

After hearing David, Saul then relented and told David “Go and the Lord be with you”.

This shouldn’t be taken as though Saul was blessing David, since at this point Saul wasn’t showing any sense of even considering the Lord, but it was probably just words he was saying, much like we might even hear an unbeliever say “God bless you” or something of that nature. It was probably just an expression without any real meaning to him.