When the Conflict is the Lord’s, the Fight Changes
14 David was the youngest. The three eldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward and took his stand, morning and evening.
26 And David said to the men who stood by him, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, 35 I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. 36 Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”
1 Samuel 17:14–26 Read More
Of course, we can’t see David’s true motives, but we can look at other things he did in his life, and his state of life at this point to put some pieces together.
God said He would make someone “after His own heart” to be the king. David was going back and forth from serving as Saul’s musical therapist, to being a shepherd for his dad, to delivering food to his brothers that were fighting in a war. It has been at least 40 days since Saul has had an event with the evil spirit sent to torment him, and it’s been at least that long since David has taken food to his brothers. (This time that Goliath taunts the Israelites is the first time David hears. it.)
Look at how great David handles this. He doesn’t tear down any of his brothers or the other Israeli soldiers. “Who is this guy that says these awful things against God?” His interest is not about his own glory being gained, it’s about God’s honor. Saul was more worried about his own honor, which is why he was paralyzed to act here. When Jonathan started their great attack a few chapters ago, Saul was hiding in a cave with the pomegranates. Now Saul just seems to be waiting for some fool to volunteer and do something about Goliath.
When David gives a reason as to why he is going to do it, he doesn’t boast in his skill, but in God’s deliverance. Sure, it is his ability + bravery to take out a bear or a lion, but he gives credit to God for saving him. He knows that God is the deliverer and that God will deliver him in this situation too.
Notice, finally, in this whole event, that David doesn’t put on the outward religious show that Saul is known for. There are no sacrifices or even a prayer. The armor and decorations that show off that Saul is king are even left behind.(Remember, only two guys have swords, the king and his son. When Saul gives him his sword, that is a huge political honor, and David doesn’t take it!)
The wrong here, in the eyes of David, isn’t that Israel is scared (that’s mercy toward them!) and it isn’t that Saul is a bad leader (at some point David was Saul’s armor bearer and they really loved each other! – That’s humility and honor and grace and mercy toward Saul!) The wrong here is what Goliath is saying and doing against God. That’s what makes it spiritual and that is what moves David’s heart.
Of all of the things we get upset about in a day, how many of them are the right things? What if, like Saul, we are so caught up in misdiagnosing the wrong being done, that we are paralyzed when it comes to real action against real evil? What if, like so many Israelites, we are upset about the leadership not doing their job, while at any minute those leaders are just hoping and waiting for a volunteer?
What if, in the middle of a 40-day mess, we ask “What does God think about this?” and then we respond. Something crazy might happen. Something as crazy as a bunch of army guys standing by while a shepherd/musician marches out against a giant to rebuke him in the name of the Lord.
It’s crazy, but it ends just as he said it would:
1 Samuel 17:46–4746 I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 47 and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hand.”
You can get the Daily Bible Readings to your inbox via email every day by subscribing here. Join the discussion online on Facebook or Twitter.