Goliath Challenges Israel

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:10–11 (KJV)

Full Scripture (KJV):

“And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.”

Israel was at war with the Philistines. From the Philistine army came a huge warrior named Goliath. Day after day, Goliath challenged Israel. He mocked them and defied the armies of Israel. King Saul heard him. The soldiers heard him and they were afraid. Goliath looked powerful. His weapons looked powerful and from what the Israelites could see, the problem looked much bigger than they were. But there was something Goliath did not understand. Israel belonged to the living God.

David Comes to the Camp

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:23 (KJV)

Full Scripture (KJV):

“And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.”

David was not at the battlefield as a soldier. He was still caring for his father's sheep. One day, David's father Jesse sent him to take food to his brothers who were with Israel's army. David arrived at the camp. While he was talking with his brothers, Goliath came forward again. David heard his challenge. Everyone else had already heard Goliath many times but David heard something more. Goliath was not only challenging Israel. He was defying the living God.

David Speaks About the Living God

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:26 (KJV)

Full Scripture (KJV):

“And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

The soldiers saw a giant. David saw a man defying the living God. David was not pretending that Goliath was small. Goliath was strong. He was experienced in battle. He had powerful weapons but David knew that Goliath was still only a man. The LORD was God. David's confidence was not in himself. His confidence was in the living God.

David Remembers God's Faithfulness

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:37 (KJV)

Full Scripture (KJV):

“David said moreover, 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. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.”

David told Saul that he was willing to face Goliath. Saul saw a young shepherd. Goliath was an experienced warrior but David remembered something Saul could not see. God had already helped him. While caring for the sheep, David had faced a lion and a bear. God had delivered him before. David remembered God's faithfulness in the past and trusted God for what was ahead. Sometimes fear makes us forget. Faith reminds.

David Does Not Depend on Saul's Armour

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:39–40 (KJV)

Full Scripture (KJV):

“And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved them. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him. And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.”

Saul gave David his armour. But David was not used to wearing it. David took it off. He took what he knew: his staff, his sling, and five smooth stones. David's confidence was not in armour. It was not in a sword. It was not even really in the stones. David trusted the LORD. The sling and stone were simply what David used. God was the One David depended upon.

David Comes in the Name of the LORD

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:45 (KJV)

Full Scripture (KJV):

“Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.”

Goliath looked at David and mocked him. Goliath had a sword. He had a spear. He had an armour. David had a sling but David knew this battle was about much more than weapons. David told Goliath exactly where his confidence was. He came in the name of the LORD of hosts. David was not saying: “Look how strong I am.” He was declaring: “Look who my God is.”

David Defeats Goliath

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:49–50 (KJV)

Full Scripture (KJV):

“And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.”

“So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.”

David ran toward Goliath. He reached into his bag. He took a stone. He placed it in his sling. David swung the sling and released the stone. The stone struck Goliath. The giant fell. The warrior everyone feared had been defeated. David did not win because he had better armour. He did not win because he was bigger. God had shown Israel that victory did not depend upon human strength.

The Battle Is the LORD'S

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:47 (KJV)

Full Scripture (KJV):

“And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.”

David had already said why God would give the victory. God wanted Israel to know something: The battle is the LORD'S. The people had been looking at Goliath. His height. His armour. His sword. His strength. David looked to the LORD. After Goliath fell, the Israelites saw that the God they served was greater than the enemy they feared. The victory pointed everyone back to God.

The Greatest Deliverer

David was used by God to rescue Israel from an enemy they were afraid to face. But the Bible tells us about a much greater Deliverer. Jesus Christ. Our greatest enemies are not giants standing on a battlefield. We have sinned against God. We cannot defeat sin or save ourselves. But God sent His Son. Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again. The victory of salvation does not come through our strength, goodness, or religious works. It comes through Jesus Christ.

The Bible says:

1 Corinthians 15:57 (KJV)

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

David's story teaches us to trust the LORD and the gospel shows us the greatest reason to trust Him:

God has provided salvation through Jesus Christ.

Come to Christ in faith. He is the Saviour God has provided.