Samuel 17 - David and Goliath

 Samuel 17 - David and Goliath

v1-12: Israel Paralyzed Under Fear

Once again, the Philistines invaded Israel. Saul brought his army to the Valley of Elah, which was in between Sochoh and Azekah, where the Philistines were. As usual, they encamped at the opposite mountain with the valley in between, as it is disadvantage for the an army to attack up hill.

The Philistines came up with a strategy, for they have soldiers who have the stature of giants. One of them was Goliath, who was about 9 feet tall. Goliath was equipped with full armor, which was estimated to be 70 to 90 kg He had an advance iron spearhead weighing 7 kg at the end of his spear. 

Goliath demanded for a one-to-one battle with the Israelites. The team that loses will become the slave to the winning team. Unfortunately, no one in Israelites army had the courage to take up the challenge. Saul himself was probably the tallest man in Israel's army (1 Samuel 9:2), but even he do not have the confidence in himself, or in God, to fight Goliath.

v12-30: Fighting For God's Honor

Jesse had 3 of his older sons in the Saul's troops. As 40 days have passed, he was worried about them and asked David to get some news while bringing them some food supplies. David arranged for some other shepherd to take care of his sheep, before starting the trip. This shows that David is a responsible young man. 

The driving distance between Bethlehem and Valley of Elah was about 27 km. It would have taken David 6 hours to walk. He may arrived at noon, since he "rose early" in the morning.

David heard Goliath's threats to the army, and saw that all of them were fleeing from him. Saul had promised to give whoever kills Goliath riches, his daughter in marriage, and free taxes for all in his father's family.

However, David was not concerned about the money or fame, but God's honor being insulted by the Philistines. David said "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (v26). Saul, in contrast did not even mentioned or pray to God, but used a human ways as an incentive for his soldiers.

David's brother, Eliab, were angry at him, thinking that he is just a busy body, wanting to get someone to volunteer so he can watch - perhaps Eliab himself.  However, David did not allow himself to be discouraged by the public scolding. He kept on questioning why no one were willing to take the challenge.

v31-39: The Lord Will Rescue Me

David's courageous comments brought him to Saul. David told Saul that he will fight him. Saul looked down on David, saying "you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth." This is like saying Goliath had been a professional soldier longer that David had lived. 

If David was anointed by Samuel at 12-15 years old, and had served Saul as a musician, he was probably around 15-18 years old. Since he has not been enlisted into the army, we know he is below 20 years old.  (Numbers 1:3)

David justify his capabilities by explaining that he had killed lions and bears, while protecting his sheep. He has the skills to fight, but his confidence is God: "The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” (v37)

While Saul and his army thought “Goliath is so big, I can’t beat him.” David thought, “Goliath is so big, I can’t miss him.”  (Balikie). David walked by faith, not by sight. (2 Cor 5:7) 

Saul finally agreed, for he had not other choice after waiting 40 days. Saul gave David his armor and David tried it on - but he is not used to wearing armors. Furthermore Saul's tall sizes would probably not fit David. 

As the New Testament mentioned: "No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the One Who enlisted him as a soldier.” (2 Tim 2:4)

v40-54: The Battle is the Lord's

David took of the armor and went to the stream to collect 5 smooth stones for his sling. We don't know why five was mentioned. It was speculated that Goliath was not the only giants around. Goliath has brothers and other giants that came from Goliath's hometown, Gath. (1st Chron 20:5-8). Perhaps David are preparing for the other giants if they are with the Philistines. 

The five stones are often used as analogy for five major critical issues in our lives. Each of us are "attacked" by them at different times. This may include, but not limited to, financial issues, health issues, relationship issues, emotional issues, and spiritual issues (disobedience and sin). To overcome these "giants" we only need one stone, and God's intervention. The "stone" can represent faith, prayer, worship, obedience and repentance. It may mean other things to other people. 

When Goliath saw David advancing, he insulted David of insignificant, like a "dog" that came with sticks, and Goliath threaten to feed him to the animals. David answered: "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.” (v45-47)

David slung a stone which hit Goliath on his forehead. Goliath fell over, perhaps dead or passed out. To make it certain, David took Goliath sword and chopped off his head where he later brought it to Jerusalem. 

The battle is the Lord's! Goliath's size, strength, armor, and weapons cannot win against a single stone, when God is on David's side. This is also a lesson to the Israelites who must be reminded to "know that there is a God in Israel", something that Saul has often forgotten.

The rest of the Philistine retreated (rather than surrender as slaves to Israel) and Israel pursue them to Gath and Ekron in the Philistine's territory to the West.  Unlike Saul, David led by example, by showing his faith in God.

v55-58: Who is your father?

After killing Goliath, Saul asked David who his father was. This sounded strange, since it is assumed that David had been playing the lyre to Saul, as mentioned in Chapter 16 and also in v15 of this chapter. Some theologians said Saul knows David, but forgot who his father was.

According to what I heard from a CEFC pastor, he believed that the story in Chapter 16 happened after this war in Chapter 17. It does make some sense, when David was described as "a brave man and a warrior." in 16:18. Also from then on, Saul recruited David as an armor-bearer, which meant David had to accompany Saul into battles.

The only portion that needed to be explain is 17:14-15 that described David: "David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem."  We usually assume that he went to Saul now and then to play the lyre to him; However, this was never mentioned. On the other hand, it could just mean what he is doing in Chapter 17, just going to the battles to provide food and getting news back to his father, and therefore had never personally met Saul until now.

Prologue

David is a type of Christ, who was also identified as "Son of David" - "This is the genealogy a of Jesus the Messiah b the son of David, the son of Abraham" (Matt 1:1).  A type means that parts of his life mirrored what Christ did for us. Both of them were born in Bethlehem, defeated an enemy no one could, brought the "head" (confirmation of victory) in Jerusalem, and brought salvation to His people. The Philistines was not wiped out, just as today we are still trying to bring redemption to pre-believers.