Back to the Garden
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1 Samuel 17
Here is the story that we have all been waiting for. This is the true story of David and Goliath. But do you know, from David’s perspective, he may have titled the story, “God Crushes the Serpent’s Head”?
The story of David and Goliath illustrates the Gospel when it was first presented to us from the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:15
Christ, the victor, is portrayed by David. The Serpent of old is represented by Goliath.
The story that has become warmly known throughout the ages, as the story of David and Goliath, tends to hold David up as the ultimate boy hero.
But read the story to the end. David tells an important truth: The Mighty Conqueror in this true story is God.
Chapter seventeen opens with Saul and his army defending their territory. The Philistines had established an encampment in the Socoh, which already belonged to Judah (the southern kingdom of Israel). (1 Samuel 17:1)
As the battle is raging, Goliath of Gath rises from the ranks and begins to taunt the army of Israel.
Take a look at this giant that inspired fear in Israel.
- Goliath, from Gath, may have been 9-11 feet tall.
- He had a bronze helmet, and he was armed with a coat of mail which weighed 126 pounds.
- He had bronze armor on his legs and a bronze javelin between his shoulders. The iron spearhead weighed 15 pounds
Then from the terrifying to the ridiculous:
“…and a shield-bearer went before him.”
1 Samuel 17:4-7
Then Goliath toyed with Saul and the army of Israel. The vile man makes them an offer.
“Then he stood and cried out to the armies of Israel, and said to them, “Why have you come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves and let him come down to me… “I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.”
1 Samuel 17:8-10
When King Saul and the army heard this man’s challenge, Scripture says: “they were dismayed and greatly afraid.” 1 Samuel 17:11
And the Philistine drew near and presented himself forty days, morning and evening.
1 Samuel 17:16
Believers know that every word in the Bible has purpose. Even the numbers in the Bible have meaning.
In Scripture the number forty represents “times of testing”. Just two examples include the stories found in Genesis 7:12 and Matthew 4:11.
These forty days were certainly times of testing for Israel.
When believers are faithful and obedient to God, this time of testing can be truly painful, but also inspire courage and peace. But when testing comes during times of disobedience our frustration and sorrow are great.
David responded to this time of testing in a godly way. He was empowered with courage and wisdom that defy the physical ability of a man. God moved on David’s heart as His divine plan advanced. He knew that Israel should be obedient and brave.
David would face ridicule and disdain from his own brothers and the army of Israel because he took his stand with conviction. Read 1 Samuel 17: 20-31
Now King Saul had heard about David’s courage, so he sent a message for David to talk with him. 1 Samuel 17:29.
Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”
And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”
1 Samuel 17:33
Little did Saul know, but God had prepared David for this moment. He told Saul God had given him the strength to defend his father’s sheep from a bear and a lion. (1 Samuel 17:34-35)
God had already established a heart of faith in David. And David attributed all of his strength and faith to God.
Let’s join the story from God’s Word.
Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand.
And he drew near to the Philistine. So, the Philistine came, and began drawing near to David, and the man who bore the shield went before him.
And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking.
So, the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?”
And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!
Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”
So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth.
So, David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David.
Therefore, David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.
1 Samuel 17:40-51
Next week we will conclude this true story. We are moving closer to the end of Saul’s reign.
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Isaiah 52:7
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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