1 Samuel 17

David and Goliath

1 Sam 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim.
1 Sam 17:2 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines.
1 Sam 17:3 And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.

The opposing armies were on two opposite mountains. The area today, normally is green with grass. The battle was to be fought in the valley.

1 Sam 17:4 And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.

A champion, was a man between, space between two armies. He was a great man going out to represent his fighting men. Jesus is our champion, who came down from heaven and was suspended between heaven and earth on a cross to destroy all of our enemies. He could have called ten legions of angels, but he won the battle alone.

Goliath, the champion and secret weapon of the Philistines, was a giant of a man, measuring over nine feet in height. He went out into the valley. He was from Gath, a place where the Anakims lived, a race of giants. About 400 years before this time, Joshua had eliminated most of the Anakims, some were left in Gath.

Josh 11:21 And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities.
Josh 11:22 There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.

1 Sam 17:5 And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.

The coat of mail were sheets of brass, as scales fitted over each other, this weighed about 78 pounds.

1 Sam 17:6 And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders.

Greaves of brass, boots of brass.

1 Sam 17:7 And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him.

A spearhead that weighed about 20 pounds. A shekel, was a measure of value, not a measure of weight. For example: gold would have a greater shekel measure, or value than brass. The spear had a greater shekel value than the heavier brass coat of mail.

1 Sam 17:8 And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.
1 Sam 17:9 If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.

He challenged Israels troops to send a man to fight him. Who among Israel stood head and shoulders above the rest? Saul, he had been favored in battle before, but God withdrew his Spirit from him. What was left in Saul was not of God, perhaps a spirit of fear and a lack of power. Those who have the Spirit have what they need, to face any "giant " that may come our way.

2 Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

1 Sam 17:10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.
1 Sam 17:11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.

They were small in comparison to Goliath. The children of God, often consider themselves as insignificant, this should not be. Remember the response of God's children Israel, who were to go into their promised land 400 years earlier?

Num 13:30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.

Caleb was a man of faith and courage.

Num 13:31 But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.
Num 13:32 And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.
Num 13:33 And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.
Num 14:1 And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.

Lack of faith will bring fear into our hearts. The enemy uses his soldiers against us. The more we serve God, the bigger the legion commander sent to take us down. Remember your position in Christ Jesus.

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1 Sam 17:12 Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.

Jesse was too old to go to battle.

1 Sam 17:13 And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.
1 Sam 17:14 And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul.
1 Sam 17:15 But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.

David still tended his sheep, even though he was staying in the palace of King Saul. He was needed to play music when Saul had a bad spirit, possibly depression. David was said to be Saul's armourbearer, a trusted man, yet he was not doing so in this battle.

1 Sam 17:16 And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.

Forty, the number of testing and judgment. You can imagine the shining brass armour gleaming in the morning and evening light, making this giant glow with a golden splendor, making the opposing army to hide their eyes.

1 Sam 17:17 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren;

An ephah, was a portion for ten men. Parched corn, was wheat or barley, oven dried and ground and eaten somewhat like the grains in breakfast food.

1 Sam 17:18 And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.

David was sent to deliver food to his brothers and to the captain. Perhaps the captain was Jonathon; the cheeses were for him to gain favor for the three sons of Jesse. He was to see how they were and take their pledge, usually a locket of hair to show they were well and not lost.

1 Sam 17:19 Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.

At this stage of the conflict, it was more a shouting back and forth of insults. An insult can do damage if received. We do not insult others, because we have the spirit of truth. If truth offends, it is still good for the hearer.

1 Sam 17:20 And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle.

David made sure the sheep were cared for. This word for trench was a protective barrier of carts or chariots, not a trench dug into the ground. We have seen pictures of covered wagons in a circle in our American west, to protect the travellers from Indian attacks.

1 Sam 17:21 For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.
1 Sam 17:22 And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.

The opposing armies were lined up opposite one another ready for battle. David left his provisions with the one in charge of provisions and ran out to the soldiers who were ready to battle.

1 Sam 17:23 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 sees firsthand the giant, the champion of the Philistines, who hurled insults at Israel and their God.

1 Sam 17:24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.

David observes the giant and the reaction and fear of his brethren.

1 Sam 17:25 And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.

Saul was desperate, he offer a reward for any who would defeat Goliath. He offered him great riches, and would give his daughter in marriage. But what good are these things to a failed dead man? To make the house free, was to no longer be forced to serve the king or to pay taxes.

1 Sam 17:26 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?

David takes in all that Saul had offered, but he also was looking at Goliath from a position of a child of the Eternal King. It was not only Saul's armies, but the armies of the living God. Not a fearful army, but an army with the arm of God. He was a man after God's own heart. Who was this heathen to speak against Hs beloved LORD and his armies?

We who belong to God, should see ourselves as connected to his might and power. We do not operate in our own strength, but from our position in Christ Jesus, the power of God, through the Spirit of the LORD.

1 Sam 17:27 And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.

The people repeated the reward to David.

1 Sam 17:28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and 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.

David's oldest brother sees David as a little nuisance. He thought he was irresponsible, even leaving his sheep without care. Unlike other shepherds, David had made sure his sheep were cared for.

Here is an example of the devil using a family member to accuse and discourage David. An accuser only sees bad, " I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle." We should not judge anothers motives and accuse them. Perhaps we are hiding our own faults if we do this. Another thought concerning the older brothers anger. Sometimes people get an idea, for example, I will be a doctor or lawyer and begin to tell others, yet they have not the abilities or discipline to complete the requirments. This appears as pride for something not within the abilities of a person to achieve. David was only a young man, but within was the Spirit and power of God. Where God dwells all things are possible. Let us not forget this.

1 Sam 17:29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

Is there not a cause for my words? Who is this unclean Philistine to defy the LORD's armies? As Caleb, he was of an excellent spirit. The others were running, he was strong in faith. Faith in God, is great strength. God honors trust.

Prov 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Prov 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

1 Sam 17:30 And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.

David turns from his brother and speaks to another. They repeat Saul's pledge.

1 Sam 17:31 And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him.

The men spoke to Saul about David. Saul had already seen the excellent character of David, having appointed him to his own palace. He had the respect of the King, if not his own brother.

1 Sam 17:32 And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.
1 Sam 17:33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.

Saul sees David with natural eyes. You can't fight the Philistine, you are a youth.

1 Sam 17:34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
1 Sam 17:35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
1 Sam 17:36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

David speaks of past examples of bravery and protection as a shepherd to his sheep. Surely Goliath is no more a threat then the lion and the bear. These animals provoke fear in the hearts of man. David overcame them, Goliath shall be as one of them, defeated. David knew his abilities and the anointing of God gave him faith and strength.

1 Sam 17:37 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.

The Lord will deliver him.

Psa 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Psa 22:8 He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

1 Sam 17:38 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.

Saul gives David his own armor to wear.

1 Sam 17:39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.

The armor did not fit David and he didn't know how to use it. We cannot fight a spiritual battle with another mans armor, or ways. We must use what is familiar to us. We cannot listen to a back-seat driver, we must drive or fight in our own abilities. This was a beast of a man, but also symbolic in the spirit of a type of satan. David must use his familiar weapon and trust the LORD to deliver Goliath in defeat, as he did to the four footed beasts.. We do not use another mans weapons, as learned by the seven sons of Sceva, who imitated the apostle Paul.

Acts 19:13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
Acts 19:14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
Acts 19:15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
Acts 19:16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

1 Sam 17:40 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.

He used the same methods that he had proven in killing the lion and the bear. From the brook he withdrew five smooth stones, the number of grace. They were as spiritual rocks having been formed by the living waters, removing all sharp edges. They would go in a straight path when slung.

Goliath had four brothers, I do not know if they were on the battlefield. David had only recently encountered Goliath I doubt if he knew of the four brothers. The extra stones may have been needed if the first stone missed the mark, he did have a shield to use.

1 Sam 17:41 And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.

It had to have been a big shield to cover all of Goliath.

1 Sam 17:42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.

Goliath seeing a youth, looked upon him with scorn, His skin was reddish and he was of fair complexion.

1 Sam 17:43 And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

Am I a dog, that you would come at me with long sticks? David only had his shephards staff and the straps of his sling. Goliath cursed David by his gods. These would not help him. One thing is sure, if you serve devils, they hate you and will not defend you. David served the true and living God of Israel.

Isa 45:5 I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
Isa 45:6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.

God would be glorified.

1 Sam 17:44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.

Satan intimidates through fear. Fear eats away at faith and causes doubts. David would not listen to the words of a devil.

1 Sam 17:45 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 threatens to kill him, but David does not fear his earthly weapons, nor does he boast of his own. I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

In the name of the LORD, I come to thee.

2 Cor 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2 Cor 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Goliath's words would have no affect on David, the LORD would defend his people. David speaks back to Goliath in a strong rebuke.

1 Sam 17:46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

David would take Goliath's mocking head from his shoulders and many Philistines would be killed in battle.

1 Sam 17:47 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.

The battle is the LORD'S.

Psa 24:8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

1 Sam 17:48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.

The Philistines moved towards David. What had the armies of Saul done before?

What was David's response?

David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistines. He was not afraid, for God was with him. If we run towards our object of fear, trusting in God, he will deliver us from fear, we will receive a victory, we will be walking in his Spirit and in his will for us. Most fears are of the devil.

James 4:5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

1 Pet 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1 Pet 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Pet 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1 Pet 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
1 Pet 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
1 Pet 5:11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Sam 17:49 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.

It took only one stone and faith in the LORD to bring down this object of fear.

We are as lively stones.

1 Pet 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Overcomers

Rev 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

A white stone could be a ticket to a banquet, a sign of friendship, evidence of having been counted, or as a sign of acquittal in a court of law. Jesus may have any one of these meanings in mind, but at the very least we know that it has the assurance of blessing. (Guzik)

1 Sam 17:50 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 used what he was familiar with and the Lord blessed him.

1 Sam 17:51 Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.

David, seeing Goliath was still alive, took Goliath's sword and slew him, cutting off his mocking head.

1 Sam 17:52 And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.

What of the agreement in 1Samuel 17:9?

The devil has no honor.

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

But God's children dwell in truth.

1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

2 Th 3:2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
2 Th 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

1 Sam 17:53 And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents.

The soldiers took the things of value from the Philistine tents.

1 Sam 17:54 And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent.

Goliaths head was paraded, to show victory. David put the armor in his tent, probably back home n Bethlehem. He would have souvenirs of God's great victory.

1 Sam 17:55 And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.

Saul did not have a good memory, it was David the harp player and designated armorbearer.

1 Sam 17:56 And the king said, Inquire thou whose son the stripling (young man) is.

Saul had promised is daughter to the victor. David was a young man of an age to marry. Now what of his family? Who would he be related to by this marriage? God called David, a man after his own heart. The king would benefit having one who is favored by God as a son-in-law.

1 Sam 17:57 And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand.

This is no sissy harp player. What have we here? Who is this young man of of strength and bravery?

1 Sam 17:58 And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.

David was a type of Christ.

David was not afraid of the enemy

He trusted the LORD God

He was sent by the Father

The enemy mocked him

David was not supported by his brothers

He overcame with unconvential weapons

The enemy was a liar

The enemy was defeated

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