I Samuel: Chapter 17
The chapter records the encounter between David and Goliath, which solidifies David in the minds of the people of Israel. We get a glimpse of David’s character and faith here.
Chapter Recap
The Philistines once again gather against Israel. The army of Israel is camped on one mountain, and the Philistine’ army is on another mountain, with a valley between them. A “champion” named Goliath, who is huge and intimidating defiantly calls out someone from Israel’s side to fight him. His terms were that should Israel win, the Philistines would be subjects to them and vice versa. The Israelites were courageless to face this giant, so no one went up against him. Saul and all Israel were thus dismayed and greatly afraid. This went on for 40 days, with Goliath giving his taunts and defiance against Israel and the LORD everyday.
Enter David, the son of an Ephrathite of Bethlehem Judah, whose name was Jesse, and who had eight sons. Jesse was old, advanced in years, in the days of Saul. Three oldest sons of Jesse followed Saul into battle. Jesse sent David to the camp to see how his brothers fared and to give some provisions to them. While there, David hears the defiance of Goliath and overhears the soldiers talking about the rewards the King would give to the man who defeats this giant. Zealous for the LORD, David immediately enquiries further of the situation, which angers his eldest brother and his statements also reach the King. Beckoned by King Saul, David volunteers to fight Goliath. To the objections raised by Saul, David replies with incidents from his life in faith. Glorifying the LORD and acknowledging his trust in Him every chance he gets. Without any armor, David goes to face Goliath with his staff, sling and five stones in his shepherds’ bag.
Goliath notices that David is just a lad and belittles him. However, David once again gives glory to the LORD and charges ahead. With the LORD backing David, he put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth - dead. David stands over the fallen giant and chops his head off with the giant’s own sword.
Seeing what had transpired, the Philistines ran. Clearly not wanting to hold their end of the challenge. The Israelites chased them and plundered their camps. David brings the head of the Philistine to Jerusalem, but he puts his armor in his tent. Once David returns, he is properly acquainted with Saul.
True dependence
In the previous chapter, we saw how the Spirit of the LORD had left Saul. With the LORD’s help no more, Israel saw herself in yet another battle. More than ever, they were helpless in the truest of sense. Even the most valiant and resolute of men, couldn’t find their valor and courage in this situation. Jonathan who had led Israel to victory in a prior encounter is nowhere to be seen. We see here that without a true dependence on the LORD, there is nothing man can do. Or rather, in other words, it is because of our dependence upon God in all things, we are able to get by in our day to day lives. The people of Israel and their King did not depend on the LORD, but David did.
David the Shepherd
David’s occupation at this point in time was as a shepherd. Here, we observe David’s nature and why the LORD found his heart suitable to lead this nation. David was obedient to his father and was prompt in following his instruction to visit his brothers in camp and to give them provision. Jesse wouldn’t have thought much about this, but the LORD ensured that David was in that specific place to display his zeal for and faith in the LORD and to deliver the nation and further providing a platform for David to build his reputation. Despite Israel often being unworthy, the LORD still delivered them time and again. Now, the LORD wanted a proper shepherd to lead Israel.
David’s concern for the sheep is seen throughout the chapter. Before he visits the battlefield, it takes his time and leaves the sheep with a keeper. He could have very well left them in the pen, but ensured that they will be provided for in his absence. We further learn about his efforts to save his sheep from the dangers of the wilderness as he explains them to King Saul. David wasn’t the kind of person who left things at the mercy of circumstances, he was one who guarded them as best as he could. Due to this, the LORD enabled him to provide perfect care to everything under him.
David’s concern for the people and the zeal he has for the LORD is also seen in this chapter. Maybe to a child, the happenings of the battlefield would be entertaining, but it doesn’t seem so for David. Though he is interested to know about the happenings, he places himself in harm's way when the name of the LORD is blasphemed. Adding to this, if the Philistines are victorious, that would mean harm for Israel.
David and his statements of Faith
David in his life experienced many struggles, but in all that his faith in the LORD was consistent. Here we hear his declarations of faith for the first time.
Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine” 1 Samuel 17:37.
David knew deliverance is from the LORD. This statement also shows David’s humbleness. It might seem like a boast to say that he defeated a lion and a bear, but here David attributes everything to the LORD. Through this David also states that strength does not lie in him as a person, and thus it does not matter that he is smaller than Goliath.
Then David said to the Philistine, “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.” 1 Samuel 17:45-47.
David says the above in response to Goliath’s taunts and insults. Goliath stated that he’d kill David. Whereas David states that the LORD will give Goliath into his hands. There is a huge difference between these two statements, one boasts in pride and his own strength, the other gives a statement of faith which does not match his situation. But we see who wins. The zeal of David along with his faith, gave him the courage to approach such an opponent, and the LORD honored David by giving Goliath into his hands as he proclaimed with faith. In the end, just the name of the LORD was enough.
David’s Patience and Persistence
Another thing which we see in David which complements his faith is patience and persistence. We’d see more of this in the upcoming chapters, but note David’s nature in the interactions with his father, brother and Saul. David was the obedient son patiently listening and carrying out his father’s instructions. David did not retaliate when his brother was unfairly angry at him. But gave a calm collected response. When he was with Saul, David persisted by stating “the LORD will deliver”, and did not care for the armor and other battle protection.
From David we learn a lot in this chapter, and we can begin to understand why he was chosen to lead Israel. David strongly contrasts Saul. While Saul was inspired by the Holy Spirit and had led Israel into victory in the past, he slowly began to make a name for himself without crediting the LORD. However, we see here that David always, even at this age, acknowledged the LORD for everything. We see the strong faith which David had in the LORD, which further suggests an innate understanding which he had about the LORD. This gave him the courage to act in faith when it required, no matter how impossible the odds seemed. At the end of the day, as David declares time and again, it is the LORD who gives deliverance. See you in the next one. Take care of yourself and each other!
1 Samuel: Chapter 18
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