Who Do You Think You Are, Goliath? (1 Samuel 17: 1-54)

Bullies have existed in this fallen world ever since Cain killed Abel at the beginning of civilization (Genesis 4:8). However, as the days get darker spiritually and the love of people grows cold (Matthew 24:12; Romans 1:18-32), the problem of bullying is only going to grow like a cancer across the world. Face it, people are getting meaner every day, and one of the ways it is displayed is by either intimidating, threatening, or driving someone to the point of despair, where the victim would rather end their lives than have to face one more day of being treated like so much garbage. We know that children deal with bullies every day at school, and then come home to a bully who lives with them. People work with bullies on their jobs. There are bullies among our neighbors and unfortunately, bullies who occupy the pews and pulpits of churches.

Bullies are everywhere, and they inhabit every sphere of our lives at one time or another. Bullying is defined as, "the use of threats of coercion to intimidate others. it is the activity of repeated aggressive behavior intended to hurt another person, either physically or emotionally." It can include verbal harassment and threats, physical assaults, or coercion. Coercion is defined as, "the use of intimidation to force someone into doing your will." So, bullying is characterized by someone who behaves in certain ways in order to gain power over others. Here are some other defining characteristics of a bully. They lack empathy for others. They feel the need to control others. They get angry quickly, constantly remind others of their respective weaknesses, pick on those who don't comply to their expectations, make others feel afraid through threats, and defy anyone who would share or correct them. They come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and ages, but are really nothing more than small-minded, evil-hearted people who want the power to control those who live around them.

The Bible says that Satan and his demons are nothing more than bullies who want to either intimidate sinners into rejecting Christ, eventually joining them in the Lake of Fire (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:11-15) or use the power of guilt and shame into preventing Christians from accomplishing the work that God has called them to do. However, we do not have to put up with any bully's actions or words. There comes a time when we no longer tolerate their action and stand up for what is right and proper. Anyone who has true faith in God and a bit of courage in their heart can see the bullies in their lives for who they are and put them in their place. 1 Samuel 17:1-54 describes one such incident that not only put a bully in his place but ended up taking a permanent dirt nap, courtesy of the shepherd boy who would one day be king of Israel, David.

Who is the bully in this story and how does the Bible describe him? Verses 1-4 state that the bully, the giant by the name of Goliath, was a Philistine, a member of one of the Canaanite tribes left over from Israel's conquest of the Promised Land. they were a powerful, warlike people known for their expertise in metallurgy, creating armor of superior quality and other weapons of war. They were also pagans who worshipped the fish deity Dagon (Judges 16:23; 1 Samuel 5:2; 1 Chronicles 10:10). They occupied an area extending from the Mediterranean Sea in the west to the foothills of Judah in the east. Goliath was a pagan idolater, a Gentile, and the sworn enemy of Israel and the One True God. In Verses 4-7, the Philistines and the Israelites have met on the field of battle, preparing to fight in order to control the entirety of the nation or a portion of it. The Philistines challenged the Israelites to settle the battle by sending out their best warrior. These two warriors would then meet between the opposing armies, fight to the death, and the army that loses the battle would become the servants (slaves) of the victors. This type of warfare was not uncommon in ancient times.

Goliath was the chosen warrior of the Philistines. He was no ordinary soldier. He was nine feet, nine inches in height (v.4). He wore copper armor that covered his body from head to toe, weighing a total of "5,000 shekels", or about 200 pounds. If you think that is ridiculous, consider the fact that the average soldier in the U.S. Army today carries over 100 pounds of gear and weapons with them when they enter into battle. (Ask any veteran of Vietnam, Afghanistan, or Iraq.). Goliath also wore wrappings of copper that covered his legs (v.6). He carried a spear that was compared to a "weaver's beam", several feet long and very thick (v.7). The head of his spear weighed "600 shekels of iron", which is about 25 pounds. Walking before Goliath was another soldier who carried another shield to help protect him from arrows or spears used by potential enemies. Upon seeing Goliath, it looked as if he were indestructible and unconquerable.