DBG - April 3 - I Samuel 17-18

In this chapter we have the famed battle between David and Goliath.

vs. 1-11 – The armies of the Philistines and the Israelites face each other in the Valley of Elah (“oak” or “strength”).  Generally, battles of this era had the two sides try to intimidate each other until charging to meet in violent melee warfare.  Instead of engaging in such a battle, the Philistines offer a contest of champions.  They send out Goliath (“splendor”) who is about 9 feet 9 inches tall (a cubit is the distance from the tip of the middle finger to the end of the elbow, roughly 18 inches; a span is the distance from the tips of the  thumb and pinky when fingers are spread out, roughly 9 inches).  I do not think Goliath was simply tall, but rather he was massive.  In a day when the average man might be 5 foot six inches at best, all of Israel feared to face the giant.  Frankly, Saul should have been the one to fight Goliath.  He was both king and the tallest person in Israel.  A reward is offered that would give the man who fought Goliath riches, noble status for his family, and marriage into the royal family.

vs. 12-31 – David is not at this battle.  The reason is certainly because so many of these brothers are there serving.  As the stalemate continues between the two forces, Jesse sends David with provisions for his sons that are serving with the army.  David witnesses the challenge of Goliath and the cowering fear of Israel.  He speaks boldly, which draws the ire of his brothers and the attention of Saul. 

vs. 32-39 – David is brought to stand before Saul.  Remember that the two already know each other from the previous chapter.  David appeals to his faith in the Lord and his experience dealing with predators that attacked his father’s sheep.  Saul allows David to fight Goliath.  He offers David his armor, which David does not use as he is unfamiliar with them.  Also, it did not fit because Saul was so much taller than David.

vs. 40-54 – David goes to face Goliath with his shepherd’s staff, slingshot, and a pouch with five stones in it.  Goliath mocks the David and Israel for sending out such a challenger.  David appeals to his faith in God.  The two rushed at each other.  David fires a stone from his slingshot that hit Goliath in the forehead, making him fall to the ground.  David then takes the giant’s own sword and uses it to decapitate him.  The men of Israel rally and rout the shocked Philistines.  David keeps the head as a trophy and the sword was placed in the Tabernacle. 

vs. 55-58 -  This last scene confuses some unnecessarily.  Saul asks not who David is, but rather who his family is.  Practically, this could be about the payment of the promised reward.  In reality, it is Saul’s jealousy that is taking hold so that he is carefully watching this new upstart.

In this chapter David grows more popular and Saul attempts to kill him multiple times. 

vs. 1-4 – David is not fully integrated into Saul’s court.  He and Jonathan are men of like heart and valor.  Jonathan is probably 20 years older than David.  To read anything romantic or erotic into this is perverse and should be dismissed with the utmost disgust.

vs. 5-9 – The flames of Saul’s anger are stirred through is jealousy at hearing the women sing of the victory over the Philistines but giving David the greater honor in it. 

vs. 10-16 – This is an odd passage.  Saul is influenced by an evil spirit to prophesy.  I think it is Saul’s despair speaking, recognizing his rejection and the ascendance of David.  Maybe he said something like, “God is through with me and is about to make David king.”  It is something of an unintentional prophecy.  Saul has a spear that I think he is using like a royal scepter.  Twice he hurls it at David and twice David escapes.  He puts David in charge of a company of 1,000 men, hoping that he will be killed in battle.  Instead, David sees more victories and his popularity increases. 

vs. 17-30 – The chapter closes with another trap set by Saul for David.  Saul had not kept his word when he promised marriage to his daughter as a reward for fighting Goliath.  His oldest daughter is married to another.  But Saul learns that his daughter Michal (“who is like God?”) is infatuated with David.  I think as the narrative progresses that this is attraction to David’s rising stardom and not to the man himself.  Saul tells David that he may marry Michal if he gives a dowry price of killing 100 Philistines and providing their foreskins as proof.  The plan here is for David to be killed in battle.  But David goes above and beyond, killing 200 Philistines.  Saul gives Michal to him to be his wife, and he grows even more wary of David.

Jealousy is a terrible poison.  Like its near-cousin bitterness, it rarely injures its object.  Instead, it eats away as an acid in the heart of those who welcome it in.  It is completely and utterly self-destructive.  If we cannot rejoice with those that rejoice and be filled with gladness for others that enjoy God’s blessing, we must needs be careful lest jealously seep into our spirit and its deadly infection begin.

Our hymn today was printed in 1742 under the title “David and Goliath”.  It is written by Charles Wesley.  It challenges us to defeat the besting sins in our lives, facing them down like David did the giant.

Who Is This Gigantic Foe
That Proudly Stalks Along,
Overlooks The Crowd Below,
In Brazen Armour Strong?
Loudly Of His Strength He Boasts,
On His Sword And Spear Relies;
Meets The God Of Israel’s Hosts,
And All Their Force Defies.

Tallest Of The Earth-Born Race,
They Tremble At His Power,
Flee Before The Monster’s Face,
And Own Him Conqueror.
Who This Mighty Champion Is,
Nature Answers From Within;
He Is My Own Wickedness,
My Own Besetting Sin.

In The Strength Of Jesu’s Name,
I With The Monster Fight;
Feeble And Unarmed I Am,
But Jesus Is My Might;
Mindful Of His Mercies Past,
Still I Trust The Same To Prove,
Still My Helpless Soul I Cast
On His Redeeming Love.

With My Sling And Stone I Go
To Fight The Philistine;
God Hath Said It Shall Be So,
And I Shall Conquer Sin;
On His Promise I Rely,
Trust In An Almighty Lord,
Sure To Win The Victory,
For He Hath Spoke The Word.

In The Strength Of God I Rise,
I Run To Meet My Foe;
Faith The Word Of Power Applies,
And Lays The Giant Low;
Faith In Jesu’s Conquering Name
Slings The Sin-Destroying Stone;
Points The Word’s Unerring Aim,
And Brings The Monster Down.

Rise, Ye Men Of Israel, Rise,
Your Routed Foe Pursue;
Shout His Praises To The Skies
Who Conquers Sin For You;
Jesus Doth For You Appear,
He His Conquering Grace Affords,
Saves You, Not With Sword And Spear,
The Battle Is The Lord’s.

Every Day The Lord Of Hosts
His Mighty Power Displays;
Stills The Proud Philistine’s Boast,
The Threatening Gittite Slays;
Israel’s God Let All Below
Conqueror Over Sin Proclaim;
O That All The Earth Might Know
The Power Of Jesu’s Name!