1 Samuel 17:25-54

 (1) No one dared to go and take down Goliath

v.25 But the king will make the man who can strike him down very wealthy! He will give him his daughter in marriage, and he will make his father’s house exempt from tax obligations in Israel.”

Saul offered attractive rewards to the man who can strike down Goliath. Why? Because no one dared to go. Their fear seemed reasonable to me. However, David saw that differently. 

v.26b For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he defies the armies of the living God?”

However, the armies of the living God did not see themselves that way. No one dared to go and strike down Goliath even with the great rewards. No wonder David was the king after God's own heart. He was a better king over Saul. 

Reflection: How do we see ourselves? Do we see ourselves as the people of God? Do we see ourselves as people of hope because God is among us?

(2) David was not discouraged v.32

a. When David showed interest to strike down Goliath his elder brother became angry. 

v.28b To whom did you entrust those few sheep in the desert? I am familiar with your pride and deceit!

(BDB) deceit=willfulness

What Eliab meant was , "You have no place in the battlefield. You are just a shepherd boy who took care of only a few sheep. You think you can fight Goliath is just because of your pride and your willful and stubborn heart. 

b. When David fought against Goliath he used exactly nothing more than the "weapons" of a shepherd

v.40 He took his staff in his hand, picked out five smooth stones from the stream, placed them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag, took his sling in hand, and approached the Philistine.

As mentioned yesterday, Goliath's pride rested in his armor. Saul also had the armor, but probably less sophisticated than Goliath because the Scriptures only gave a simple description of it in v.38. Goliath looked down on David when he only carried a staff with him.

17:43 The Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you are coming after me with sticks?”
(NET)  Sticks is a pejorative reference to David’s staff (v. 40); the same Hebrew word (מַקֵּל, maqqel) is used for both.

v.50b David did not even have a sword in his hand. 

A shepherd boy with no fancy weapon deserved to be discouraged when he tried to fight with the giant with sophisticated weapons. However, God used the humble and weak and we know that they win simply because of the power of God. 

Reflection: Are we discouraged by someone today? Do we feel intimidated by others who are much stronger, or better equipped than us?  Do we believe that when we pray even the world can be changed? Do we trust that if God is with us we can win any battle?  

I heard a sermon lately comparing Buddhism with Christianity. Regarding the overcoming of sin there are few things that are similar. Buddhism know the principal, but they cannot do that. With the head knowledge or philosophy they cannot help themselves to escape from the bitterness of live. What they lack is the power to overcome sin.  When Jesus resurrected from death, we know for sure that we can sin all the battles,  including the battle with sin and death. If we trust God even the sinner like us can win.

Audrey

2024

v.24-31

Bright Spots

1. The word "defy" was repeated x3 here (and more in this chapter 1 S 17:10, 25, 26, 36, 45) 

25 The men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who is coming up? He does so to defy Israel.

26 David asked the men who were standing near him, “What will be done for the man who strikes down this Philistine and frees Israel from this humiliation

For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he defies the armies of the living God?”

2. David speaking to the men regarding the reward of striking down Goliath was also repeated v.26, 28, 29. To the point that his brother became angry with him and accused of being too prideful and deceiving himself v.28.

However, what was the motive of David in asking can be seen in v.31-39. When Saul called for him David did not mentioned anymore about the reward. He only concerned the fight against Goliath. 

Therefore, his asking was based on his intention to fight Goliath. His brother knew that will be the result and did not think he could do that. 

Reflection

Based on his faith, David could not stand people's humiliation or defying against God or His army. He himself was willing to be the very person to fight against those who defiled against God. 

Thank God Jesus is my "David," and He did not let Satan to accuse us. He Himself died for me and He won the victory over Satan. All I need to do is to put up the armor of God and stand still in Him. 

v.32-40

Bright spots

1. Saul was not convinced that David could fight against Goliath. v.33

2. David tried stated his history of fight against the bear and lion. And he was sure that God would do the same thing to Goliath, "For he has defied the armies of the living God v.36." This is not the first time how David saw this battle, v.26. He knew whom he was serving and he was fully convinced that He is a living God and will deliver those who belong to Him. 

3. Therefore, David did not use a military means to fight against the P, but as a shepherd v.40 (he placed the stones in the pouch of his shepherd's bag, and took his staff and sling). 

4. David was brave because of his faith. He approached the P. v.40 (and ran quickly toward the battle line v.48).

Reflection

Knowing who I am is extremely important, but knowing Who He is is more fundamental. That is the reason for David's confidence. 

If I need to know God and His will, I need prayer. 

v.41-58

Bright spots

1. The fearsome Goliath was not only in his size, but the effect now was added with his despise, humiliation and curse v.41-44. That was what David faced v.45, but he was not moved by that a bit because he knew very clearly the difference between him and Goliath v.45. They were at totally different level of confident (in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel’s armies) Note, David's saying, "The LORD will deliver you...I will strike you down and cut off your head...I will give the corpses of the P...Then all the land will realize that Israel has a God...v.46-47."

Reflection

How do I handle with fear? What we fear may be true (not just what we worry), but we still dont need to fear because of what we have. Am I too fooled by the world that I only consider the force of this world and ignore my spiritual identity? 

2. David's faith to God revealed in the weapon he used. It is not a usual weapon in the battlefield, but a sling and the stone. "David himself did not even have a sword in his hand v.50." Even with these primitive weapon, but with the help of God, everything happened as what David said in v.46. Goliath was struck down, his head was cut off, the P corpses lay fallen along the road in btw the 2 main cities of P. v.52. 

Reflection

Do I have faith to do what David did? Am I able to depend on God to deliver the result even with limited resources? 

Questions

1. 16:14 Now the Spirit of the LORD had turned away from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him. 17:11 When Saul and all the Israelites heard these words of the Philistine, they were upset and very afraid. 

forty days 

2. David going back and forth from Saul (to relief him from his evil spirit), but he also needed to take care of his father's sheep. 

3a. 24 When all the men of Israel saw this man, they retreated from his presence and were very afraid....The men of Israel said, “...He does so to defy Israel..."

3b. 26 David asked the men who were standing near him,...For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he defies the armies of the living God?” v.32 David said to Saul, “Don’t let anyone be discouraged. Your servant will go and fight this Philistine!

4. As a shepherd, David had experienced God who delivered him from the lion and the bear. 

5. Yes, I trusted in the worldly wisdom, my own discipline, and my experience.