(1) The geographical element
17:3 The Philistines were standing on one hill, and the Israelites on another hill, with the valley between them.
That means whoever fought with the enemies they needed to run down the hill to the valley and if they found themselves not able to stand they had to climb the hill up which was much more difficult. Determination is required.
(3) The difference between David and the other people of Israel/Saul
(2) The challenges from Goliath
a. He challenged the servants of Saul v.8 to fight with him and later on he called them the Israel's troops v.10.
In the mind of the Philistines, Israel's God was a mighty God.
4:8These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all sorts of plagues in the desert!
They knew this very well when they kept the ark in their cities and suffered under His hand.
They knew this very well when they kept the ark in their cities and suffered under His hand.
Saul was taller than all the people 9:2. He was not that short compared with Goliath. In other words, what made Goliath so confident to challenge Israel and Saul?
b. Scriptures gave detailed descriptions for his armor v.5-7. At that time, Israel was not allowed to have iron, but Goliath armor was all made up of bronze and iron.
*Goliath thought he was able to ridicule the mighty God and the tall Saul because he had the state of the art armor!
(3) The difference between David and the other people of Israel/Saul
a. Twice, the Scriptures described Saul and the Israelites being very afraid v.11.
17:11 When Saul and all the Israelites heard these words of the Philistine, they were upset and very afraid.
17:24 When all the men of Israel saw this man, they retreated from his presence and were very afraid.
b. While David, who was just the youngest brother bringing the food to his older brothers, had a totally different reaction. He ran to the battlefront when he arrived. He cared more than what he should.
17:22 After David had entrusted his cargo to the care of the supply officer, he ran to the battlefront.
Reflections: The reaction of Saul and the Israelites seemed to be more reasonable than David's reaction. Goliath had his reasons to challenge them. Facing him means death and there was no return. However, David saw something that they did not see. He did not see just the "high tech" gear that Goliath had. He knew it for sure and therefore he had the courage that others did not have. How about us? Do we see that God was behind us and have the courage that others will not have? Do we have this "unreasonable" hope, courage, love, mercy, kindness?
Reflections: The reaction of Saul and the Israelites seemed to be more reasonable than David's reaction. Goliath had his reasons to challenge them. Facing him means death and there was no return. However, David saw something that they did not see. He did not see just the "high tech" gear that Goliath had. He knew it for sure and therefore he had the courage that others did not have. How about us? Do we see that God was behind us and have the courage that others will not have? Do we have this "unreasonable" hope, courage, love, mercy, kindness?
2024
v.1-11
Bright spots
1. The Philistines went to war with Israel. Probably because of Goliath.
2. Goliath presented himself with numbers. He had support of why people should afraid of him: 7 ft tall, armor weight 5,000 shekels, spear head weighed 600 shekels. Both Saul and all Israelites fell right into his words.
3. Goliath called to Israel's troops, "Choose for yourselves a man so he may come down to me...I deft Israel's troops...Give me a man so we can fight each other?" He did not think there will be anyone from Israel's side will come out. And, he was almost correct.
Reflection
Do I look at the world from a worldview that only numbers count? Nothing will happen outside of our calculation? We do not think there is any other possibility other than what the number said or there is nothing outside of the physical world?
In preparing the Fall festival Bible club, can I trust in God to provide us with the children? Pray that I will not rely on my estimation, or my own calculation to see the outcome.
v.12-23
Bright spots
1. David seemed to have nothing to do with the war except his 3 older brothers were there v.12-15, until his father told him to go to take the supply to his brothers and checked out on them v.18.
2. David did what his father told him to do (gave the supply to his brothers v.22a, and asked his brothers how they were doing v.22b), but more. He ran to the battlefront v.22a.
3. With so many Israelite army and Saul there, the Bible only singled out David and said, "the champion named Goliath, the Philistine from Gath, was coming up from the battle lines of the Philistines. He spoke the way he usually did, and David heard it."v.23. It was significant for David to hear what Goliath said.
Reflection
In God's providence, David was there in the battlefield.
My life is also under the guiding of God and He gives me opportunity to ministry. And for this, I thank God.
David was a different person than others. He was not afraid of the battle and when he heard the challenge of Goliath he reacted differently. Do I follow the crowd or can I be different to others? Do I care more about the minds of God and respond in faith?
Audrey
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