David killed Goliath. End of immediate story, right? We know David went on to become king of Israel (years later), but until recently mulling over this story, I overlooked the immediate end of the story of David and Goliath. It did not end with David and Goliath.
In fact, the beheading of Goliath was just the beginning of that story. Not only did David “get after it” by killing Goliath, the entire army of Israel had to then “get after it” by rallying to the battle and fighting the Philistines until the victory was won and the spoils of war were retrieved.
What if the army had failed to rally? Obviously the giant would have been dead but the battle would not have been won.
I don’t need to give the explanation of this lesson as a type for us. It’s enough to state the facts and allow ourselves to ponder the implications.
One final thought: King Saul offered David his armor and sword, which David refused because he had not “proved it”. The covering of men, even the king, was not going to win this fight. It was the covering of God’s goodness and grace upon David that he relied on, the strong arm of the Lord his God, rather than that of men.
What have I been learning about David and Goliath? New things coming to light: I recently read the article by Dan Kent entitled “Why Did David Pick Up 5 Stones?”. It was enlightening. David wasn’t a soft, wimpy youth who just sat around playing a harp while watching sheep.
My takeaway on this article is this. David did watch sheep, he did play an instrument and at the same time he trained himself to fight. Maybe because three of his oldest brothers were soldiers in Saul’s army, David must have had a vision for himself as a strong warrior. Apparently he did something about that vision, because he clearly let others know that while watching his father’s sheep, he had occasion to kill a lion, which had taken a lamb, by grabbing its beard and slaying it.
What weapon did he use to slay this lion? The story doesn’t say. David also killed a bear in similar circumstances. He credits the Lord for delivering him from the lion and the bear, and in truth the Lord did. And also, David was fearless. He was adept at using whatever weapon he had. He was strong physically, not some soft, untrained teenager. When he went after the lion and the bear, he was confident that he had the ability to win the battle. He knew HOW to do it! He was prepared with his weaponry when it happened. And he trusted God to back him up.
God promoted David for being diligent to train, fight his battles while watching sheep, and having the courage to get after it. David didn’t stop and pray for an hour to ask God’s direction and favor before he went after the lion or the bear which had grabbed a lamb. The circumstances demanded immediate action, and he acted.
His preparation no doubt came daily in fellowship with the Father, in practicing using his weapons, in learning from his brothers how to fight whenever he could, in keeping himself strong. You’ve no doubt heard the old saying, “the devil is in the details”. Let’s turn that upside down with “God is in the details”.
I appreciate Kent’s article on this familiar Biblical story. Kent makes the story bigger than what it’s been for me and clearer than what it was. David was strong, equipped, trained, fearless, and he trusted God to have his back. He did not hesitate to “get after it” when circumstances required. He was ready for the battle because he prepared himself daily.
What does this mean for us? If we are believers on Jesus the Christ, our daily relationship with the Father, whom we have gained access to through our Savior, as well as a basic understanding of scriptures, is our foundation. We are equipped with nine manifestations of the gift of Holy Spirit designed specifically by God to help us fight the good fight of faith and work God’s work in this world. We are also given authority in Christ to use it.
Now this doesn’t mean we are to go out and herd sheep and fight lions and bears and a Philistine giant. The picture of young David given to us carries over as a type of the spiritual. There are plenty of situations in life where we face obstacles that seem as large to us as the ones David faced.
The instruction of Ephesians 6, verses 10-18 is clear:
(KJV) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
We are to prepare and train ourselves to face these obstacles by putting on the good news of the Gospel of Truth. We are to understand and exercise our authority and spiritual power through what the risen Lord accomplished for us, and we are to pray. We are to be ready and fearless, knowing God has our back. We are to “get after it” as circumstances require. The shield of faith belongs to us as we Take it. And we won’t hesitate to take it, like young David, when we are prepared.
