For the most part, every one of us have heard the story of David and Goliath many times. We know the story how David used a sling to propel a rock which struck Goliath in the one spot on his body that wasn’t covered by armour.
When I grew up in Northeast Alabama a sling shot was considered a necessary part of a boy’s equipment: we all carried one in a hip pocket. This was perhaps different from the type used by David. Mine was made from a tree limb and two pieces of rubber, cut from an automobile inner tube, and a tongue from an old shoe. With a little practice one could become quite accurate. Rocks found in the creek were ideal for shooting, but the favorite was steel balls from bearings which the local mill would discard from time to time.
Some commentators have suggested that David must have practiced with his sling shot many hours as he spent time with his sheep. We know from his statement that he had killed a bear and a lion, whether with his sling or rod we’re not sure, but since he made the statement to King Saul in relation to killing the giant, it could have been the sling shot he used to kill the bear and the lion.
David was no stranger to King Saul. In Chapter 16 of 1 Samuel when the Spirit of the Lord left Saul an evil spirit troubled him: that is still our problem today. It has been said that the most miserable person on earth is one out of the will of God. Not only is he or she miserable and unhappy, they tend to make everyone around them miserable. But, in Saul’s case his servants tried to find a cure through music. They suggested he find a player of the harp, and David was chosen and whenever Saul was troubled David would play the harp and Saul was “refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him” (1 Samuel 16:23).
In today’s society many have left the faith as Paul wrote in1Timothy 4:1, and “given heed, to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”
A June 1997 article in U.S. News and World Report described a Virginia pastor who "Would rather preach on 'Bosnia, justice, or world peace' than on Bible stories or personal salvation." This is an example of a man who departed from the faith and followed his own direction.
Paul says this would be happening during the last times. Perhaps that is the reason we see so many today with ear pods listening to music on their phones, or the car beside you at the traffic light and the radio so loud they couldn’t hear an emergency siren.
When David arrived at the battle grounds he observed the two armies facing each other, shouting threats and insults just as they had been doing for forty days. During this display the champion of the Philistines would come out and challenge one of the Israelites to come fight with him. This was a giant of a man perhaps nine feet tall wearing armour that weighed between 100 and 300 pounds. His voice roared across the valley as he shouted threats intended to scare the Israelites, which it did. In 1 Peter 5:8 we read that the devil goes about like a roaring lion seeking who he may destroy. If the lion wishes to capture an animal for prey, he doesn’t go about roaring; he silently sneaks upon them, as Psalms 91:3 says “The fowler is always quiet and secretive, never wanting to reveal his presence.”
The devil knows that if he can frighten us the battle is won. We’re too frightened to even try.
It might have been King Saul that Goliath was trying to intimidate. Remember when he was selected as King 1 Samuel 9:2 says he was head and shoulders taller than other Israelite men. Then in 1 Samuel 14:52 we read that Saul was a fierce and successful leader, but that was before the Spirit of the Lord left him.
It is terrible to see men today who were, earlier in their ministry, great warriors for God. But submitting to the demonic spirits they have lost their first love, and the Spirit is no longer leading. Clark on his commentary of 2 Timothy 4:3 says: "Endless curiosity, an insatiable desire of variety; and they get their ears tickled with the language and accent of the person, abandoning the good and faithful preacher for the fine speaker."
David was at the battlefield because his father, Jesse, had sent him to take cheese sandwiches to his three brothers; find out how they were doing, and report back with that information. This teenage boy never realized what would transpire when he left his home and flock of sheep. The Bible says he hired a shepherd to care for his sheep until he returned. Our Shepherd, Jesus Christ described Himself as a good shepherd, John 10:11. Earlier He described Himself as the door for the sheep, but notice how he describes those who are not concerned about the safety and welfare of the sheep.
But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.(John 10:12) David was interested in his sheep and took care that they would be cared for while he was away.
When he arrived Goliath was doing his act and David asked, “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine?” (1 Samuel 17:26). He didn’t see a giant; he didn’t see a well armed and trained warrior; he saw someone defining his God. In 2 Timothy 3: Paul described those of the last days: (this lengthy but we need to hear it all) But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NKJV).
Many will defend their wife or mother, or perhaps other family members, but will stand by while their God, The One who loved so much that he gave His life, is being blasphemed and cursed. Not David, he didn’t care how big the man was; he didn’t see anything except his God being attacked.
David then decides to eliminate this giant! He inquires about what is offered to the one who kills the giant, but, instead of everyone being glad someone is interested in getting rid of the problem, David is verbally attacked by his own brother: listen to verse 28, Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? And with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. (1 Samuel 17:28). David asked, “What have I done now?”
Whenever we are involved in doing the will of God we can expect all kind of criticism; and the bad part is it will come from those we least expect. But David was determined to be the instrument that God could use to handle this situation. After his meeting with King Saul, he returned to the battlefield and began his walk toward the giant. He picked up five smooth stones and with his sling in his hand he began a journey of no return. The giant tried his tactic of intimidation on David, but it didn’t stop him. In fact, David used the same tactic on the giant. You come to me with a sword and all your armor, but I come to you in the name of the Lord! And, watch this, This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee (1 Samuel 17:46).
David was confident that God was going to handle the situation. In verse 37 David said to King Saul: 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. David was confident because as he said in verse 36, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.
We see almost daily so-called giants who are challenging God’s army, the church, and none are willing to take the challenge. Like the Israelites they stand and look and listen then run back to their camp in fear. When one stands up, like David, he is attacked by the very one’s he is trying to help.
Pastors relieved not because they didn’t preach, but because they did.
Wait! Isn’t that what Paul wrote thousands of years ago? For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (2 Timothy 4:3)
David didn’t just talk, but he acted on what he believed. He started walking toward the giant in full confidence that God would handle the situation.
Several years ago while serving in Santa Rosa County, Florida a train wreck occurred in the edge of Pensacola. Several tank cars of gas were damaged and the order was given out that the area east of Pensacola should be evacuated immediately since the wind was moving the gases in that direction. This happened on a Wednesday evening while we were holding prayer meeting. The entire area where we were began to go North of Milton, Florida where they would be safe. I chose to stay at the church, mainly for security reasons. As I listened to the television describing the seriousness of the situation, I prayed and asked God if He would change the wind direction in order to blow the gases out to sea. In my spirit I heard Him say, “Blow your breath in that direction.” I took a deep breath and blew as hard as I could in a southward direction. I went back in the house and with tears of rejoicing I heard the announcer on the television say, the wind has changed and the gases are now being blown out to sea. There is no more danger to the area.
Did I do that, NO! God changed the wind direction, whether I had anything to do with it or not. But one thing I know for sure, I believed He would do it.
David placed one of the stones in his sling and began slinging it around and around and at the right moment he released the rock and it went directly to the one place that was not protected with armour, the forehead of the giant. Immediately the giant went down: David ran up, took the sword from the giant and cut off his head, and killed him. If David had turned around and took credit for knocking the giant out it wouldn’t have been long before he regained consciousness and began his fight all over. It isn’t enough to just disable our giant, we must eliminate them! Sometimes our giant might be the friends we have. A young man left our service one Sunday evening after he had accepted Christ as his Savior. His wife said he went home and began calling his friends: “I can’t go fishing with you no more because we did things on those trips that I don’t do anymore. I was saved tonight.” According to his wife he invited each one to give their lives to Christ as he did. Getting rid of the giant in our life might involve changing our list of friends as well as our life style. There must be actions!
James 2:26 says faith without works is dead. In Matthew 11 John’s disciples asked Jesus if He was really the one they expected, or should that look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: (Matthew 11:4).
This was the first case of “Show and Tell” perhaps. Remember Jesus telling Nicodemus that he couldn’t see the Spirit, but he could see the results. The same is true with us: If we possess the Spirit of God the results can be seen by our actions.
When the Philistines saw their champion was dead they began to run? David Guzik says: Hadn't they agreed before (1 Samuel 17:9) that if their champion lost, they would surrender to Israel? But they didn't. We should never expect the devil to live up to his promises. David never read 1 Timothy 4:12, but he lived it: Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. David led by example, and led Israel to a great victory.
Verse 54 tells us that David carried the head of Goliath to Jerusalem. Perry Stone says that the head of Goliath was buried on Golgotha: Jewish history tells us that David buried Goliath’s head at the same site that Christ was crucified, that's one of the reasons that place was called the "place of the skull.
David thought he was just going to take his three brothers some cheese sandwiches, and obtain some information for his father. When he arrived he saw the giant challenging the army of Israel. Even though he found out the reward offered for eliminating this giant, he didn’t engage him for the reward. He did it to honor the name of his God! Remember what David said in verse 36, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
How do we handle the giant in our life? Do we act like the Israel army and run in fear, or do we copy David and act in confidence that God will destroy it if we act in faith.
