David and Goliath

David, the youngest son of Jesse, was a sheep herder or shepherd. Jesse [David's father] replied "There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep." David is described as "ruddy, a youth handsome to behold and making a splendid appearance." Samuel anoints David in his youth to be King "and from that day on, the spirit of the Lord rushed upon David." We get this early glimpse of David in 1 Samuel 16:11-13.

In verse 18 David is described by others in the community: "A servant spoke up to say: 'I have observed that one of the sons of Jesse of Bethlehem is a skillful harpist. He is also a stalwart soldier besides being an able speaker, and handsome. Moreover, the Lord is with him.'" The Psalms were written by David, many from playing his harp, which reflecting an intimate relationship with the Lord our God.

In verse 21, David was made an armor bearer. Webster defines an armor bearer as "a person who carried the armor or weapons of a warrior." Another website defines an Armor Bearer as someone having a servant's heart:

• is a servant, anointed by God to serve a leader of the Kingdom of God.
• is called to walk with his leader, assisting in any way necessary, to cause his leaders "God Given Vision" to come to pass.
• will intercede for the leader and his family declaring victory on every battlefront.
• stands between his leader and danger both in the spirit and in the natural.
• is humble, faithful, trustworthy and loyal.

Not only did David serve his father as a shepherd, he also served Saul, the current King of Israel. In verse 23 "Whenever the spirit from God seized Saul, David would take the harp and play and Saul would be relieved and feel better, for the evil spirit would leave him." This is also good advice for us to rid the devil when he begins his attacks -- to focus on the Lord and listen to that music which brings the Lord our God glory.

Now Goliath was the prize giant of the Philistine army whose height was six cubits and a span. The NIV converts this measurement to over nine feet tall (1 Samuel 17:4). He challenged the Israelite army for forty days:
In verse 26, David hears Goliath's taunting for the first time and asks the men standing near him, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" An uncircumcised man represented a man who was not under God's covenant.

David goes down to the camp and hears the taunting of Goliath for the first time. The camp is discussing the situation. David asks the men at the camp about the situation and the reward for the family of the one who defends Israel. Some of the men hear David speaking and relay this information to Saul who calls upon David where David acknowledges that he will fight the Philistine. I'm glad that David did not just rush out to fight the Philistine because it gives us a great view into David's faith. David tells Saul that "When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." David and the living God have history together, they have experiences and therefore a relationship. David draws on these experiences in his own life, knowing that the Lord has delivered him and will continue to be with him. His experiences, or relationship, with the Lord have allowed him to stand on faith that he, and consequently Israel, will be delivered him from the Philistine army.

Saul sends him out, first trying to dress him in armour in verses 38-39. David tries it on but quickly takes it off as it was uncomfortable. When we try to fit the calling of God into our own understanding, it is uncomfortable.

David grabbed five smooth stones and went to meet Goliath with his slingshot and his Shepherd's staff in hand. Goliath is shocked too see this young warrior. The world often is shocked to see who God calls, surprised by the packaging. David says in confidence to Goliath, 45Thou 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. 46This 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. 47And 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. "

David took one stone from his shepherd's bag and sent it flying from his slingshot into Goliath's head. This one stone killed Goliath and David did take his head. Afterwards, the Philistine army fled in terror. The Israelite army overtook an defeated them just as David said.

Isn't it wonderful how one person's relationship with the Lord can produce a faith that can save a whole nation? Not through the understanding of the world but instead by being just who God created us to be? We are not clay to fit into a mold. Instead, God crafts the clay to be its own creation to fulfill a purpose He designs for a specific time and place.