David And Goliath

by THOMSON, A. J. S. | Category: The Life And Times Of David | Feb 1972

Shepherding is not generally considered as ideal training for warfare. Yet God

"... chose David also His servant,

And took him from the sheepfolds" (Psalm 78:70).

It was as a shepherd that David learned many of life's choicest and most valuable lessons. The value of that training was seen when, as a youth, he was thrown right into the arena of battle. Other men of physical strength and mature experience were found sadly wanting when the test came (1 Sam. 17).

Whose childhood imagination has not been thrilled by the story of the shepherd boy's exciting encounter with the giant and of his superb courage? But to those of more mature years his victory over Gohath affords many important lessons.

Undoubtedly David's father Jesse was guided by the Spirit of God when he sent him with supplies to his three brothers. He arrived at a vital moment, but in spite of the good things he brought he was not a welcome visitor. We are reminded of another day when David's greater Son "came unto His own, and they that were His own received Him not" (John 1:11). How frequently the motives of God's servants are misjudged!

Not understood. Poor souls with stunted vision

Oft measured giants by their narrow gauge;

The poisoned shafts of falsehood and derision

Are oft impelled 'gainst those who mould the age -

Not understood.

Not understood. The secret springs of action

Which lie beneath the surface and the show

Are disregarded; with self-satisfaction

We judge our neighbour, and they often go -

Not understood.

Not understood. How many breasts are aching

For lack of sympathy! Ah, day to day

How many cheerless, lonely hearts are breaking!

How many noble spirits pass away -

Not understood.

O God I that men would see a little clearer,

Or judge less harshly where they cannot see;

O God! that men would draw a little nearer

To one another, they'd be nearer Thee -

And understood.

Eliab's interrogation of David was both untimely and offensive, but David's quiet answer was reminiscent of the Master Himself, "who, when He was reviled, reviled not again". Softly David replied, "I was only asking a question" (V.29, Moffatt). Just as David was speaking, the arrogant challenge of the mighty Goliath alarmed the camp, scattering all the men of Israel. David's inquiry was calm and controlled, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" (V.26). By using the title "living God", he discloses his personal experience with God "A very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1) So far as others in Israel were concerned, God was well nigh forgotten This terrifying champion was to them an insuperable barrier To some however David 5 words brought a glimmer of hope and when David came to Saul, he said, "Let no man 5 heart fail because of him thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine And Saul said to David, Thou are 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" (VV.32,33). Poor Saul, he and David were on two different levels of thinking. "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them" (1 Cor. 2:14). The Spirit of God had long departed from Saul and left him a depraved and abandoned man.

David's words to Saul inspired hope, "Thy servant kept his father's sheep; and when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after him, and smote him ... and slew him, ... and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.... 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" (VV. 34-37). David saw no more than the animal nature in this uncircumcised Philistine, presenting no greater difficulty to him than the wild beasts he had fought and slain.

Saul, somewhat impressed by the confidence of this stripling, gave him the LORD'S blessing. But failing to rise to David's higher thinking he went to his armoury and selected a helmet of brass, a coat of mail and a sword. How utterly foolish Saul was in proposing to send out this untrained youth so equipped, against a giant from whom all the men of war had fled in fear and dismay. David relied on the LORD'S protection. He needed no iron armoury of defence; it was to him unwieldy and untried. So putting it off he turned to the brook that had served him so well in the past and made his choice of five smooth stones. What encouragement for us to turn away from the confidence of the flesh, to put off the old man, to turn to the Book to find recourse in God, and to say with David, "Thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle" (Psalm 18:39)!

Boasting Goliath drew near with his insulting curses, but prematurely, for "Let not him that girdeth on his armour boast himself as he that putteth it off". David had already named the living God to his brethren, now he calls Him the LORD of Hosts. Yes, how true, "One with God is a majority"! David took careful aim; the small stone from his sling sank into Goliath's forehead, and the giant fell upon his face to the earth. What a crushing defeat! What a resounding victory! "Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands". It was a great day for Israel, and for David, but for Saul, the forboding of disaster. One is reminded of Paul's message of salvation, "To the one a savour from death unto death; to the other a savour from life unto life" (2 Cor. 2:16).

That song of deliverance captivated the youthful hearts of Israel. David became their national hero. "What can he have more but the kingdom?" Saul said. How right he was, although David had a long way to go.

In a coming day a Stone will be cut out of the mountain without hands and smite the mighty colossus of this world's worship, breaking it in pieces and scattering it as the chaff of the summer threshing-floor (see Dan. 2). Then shall it be true, "the kingdom of the world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ" (Rev. 11:15). So certain is He of the kingdom that God has decreed, "Yet I have set My King upon My holy hill of Zion" (Psalm 2:6).

Wherein lay the secret of David's great victory? Surely in his intimate and mature knowledge of God, learned like some others in the solitariness of the wilderness. He said, "I have set the LORD always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved" (Psalm 16:8). Similarly for us too, "The people that know their God shall be strong, and do exploits" (Dan. 11:32).

THOMSON, A. J. S. | Feb 1972
The Life And Times Of David