Five Smooth Stones (2)

The Reproach of Israel

1 Samuel 17:12 Now David [was] the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem-judah, whose name [was] Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men [for] an old man in the days of Saul. 13 And the three eldest sons of Jesse went [and] followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle [were] Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. 14 And David [was] the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul. 15 But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem. 16 And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days. 17 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched [corn], and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren; 18 And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of [their] thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge. 19 Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, [were] in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. 20 And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle. 21 For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army. 22 And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren. 23 And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard [them]. 24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid. 25 And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, [that] the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel. 26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who [is] this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? 27 And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him. 28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.

Introduction

Last week we began a new sermon series called “5 Smooth Stones.” We began looking at the story of the Philistine incursion into Israel and camping near the valley of Elah. Israel responded to the incursion and “set the battle in array” on the opposite side of the valley. The Philistines had a champion of gigantic proportions. His name was Goliath. Everyday Goliath would put on his armor and enter the battlefield. When he was within earshot of the army of Israel, he challenged the King to send a champion of Israel to fight him.

1 Samuel 17:8-10 “…Why are ye come out to set [your] battle in array? [am] not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. 9 If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us. 10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.”

Today, we will look at the “unknown champion” of Israel. I say unknown because the LORD selected His Champion and was about to introduce him.

The story of David and Goliath is not about helmets, swords, spears, armor or warrior. As we unpack this passage, we will see that this is a story about the Glory of God.

I have heard it said that the difference between family and friends is that you get to choose your friends. Today we are introduced to the most unlikely candidate to be a “Champion,” even to his own family. Remember that champion means “between the two.” A champion stands between his king and the enemy.

The “key” to this story is that no one volunteered or approached King Saul to be Israel’s champion and fight Goliath. No warriors. No Commanders. No Generals. Not King Saul.

We will see that no one in Israel would have selected David. But, the LORD chose His vessel to perform this judgment on the Philistines.

From Humble Beginnings

1 Samuel 17:12 Now David [was] the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem-judah, whose name [was] Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men [for] an old man in the days of Saul.

David’s family was from Ephrath or Ephrata, later named Bethlehem (Ge 35:19). This is the burial place of Jacob’s wife Rachel. The Christmas story introduces “Bethlehem Ephratah” to be the place where the “ruler of Israel” would be born (Mic 5:2).

David’s father was named Jesse and Jesse who was the son of Obed (Ruth 4:17, 22; 1Ch 2:12-13; Mt 1:5-6; Lk 3:32) and the father of David (1Sa 17:12; Ruth 4:17).

Jesse had eight sons[1]and two daughters (1Ch 2:12-16). His youngest son was David.

Jesse was an old man by the time King Saul began to reign.

David had already been anointed as King of Israel by Samuel the Prophet (1Sa 16:13).

13 And the three eldest sons of Jesse went [and] followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle [were] Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. 14 And David [was] the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul.

Jesse’s three oldest sons were in the battle lines of Israel. David, the youngest in the family was not counted among King Saul’s army.

15 But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.

As the battle did not begin, David fulfilled his role of taking care of Jesse’s sheep at his home in Bethlehem. That distance is approximately fourteen miles as the crow flies. The terrain between the Valley of Elah and Bethlehem was mountainous.

16 And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.

Every day the Philistine army would wake, get ready for battle and march to the battlefield. Every day for forty days the giant Goliath, the champion of the Philistines would challenge the army of King Saul.

Every day the Israel army would wake, get ready for battle and march to the battlefield. Every day that would hear the insult of the Philistine champion and do nothing.

When faced with a Goliath in your life, going to bed, eating breakfast, and going about your day will not make it go away. Goliath is a constant reminder of your failure to act.

17 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched [corn], and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren;

Jesse’s sons had not returned from battle, so he tasked his youngest son to bring food to his sons at the battle front. To feed an army costs money from the national treasury. But, since the battle lines were within the nation of Israel, families would support their family by sending food to the front lines.

18 And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of [their] thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.

Jesse also sends provision to the captain of his sons. Any father would want to know the condition of the battle and the condition of his sons. This task he gives to David as Jesse is too old to travel.

Note: it is interesting that we are not told about David’s brothers that did not go to battle. The question could be, “Why didn’t Jesse send one of the brothers that did not go to battle to take the provision and catch up on the news.

The decision to send David to the Battle was not Jesse’s, The LORD was ready to accomplish His Will through David.

19 Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, [were] in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.

King Saul’s failures in his leadership can be seen in this instance.

Had Saul had been a godly leader, he would have claimed Deut. 20 and led his army to victory; but when people are out of fellowship with God, they can only lead others into defeat.[2]

Deuteronomy 20:1 When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, [and] a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 2 And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people, 3 And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; 4 For the LORD your God [is] he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

20 And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle. 21 For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.

It is interesting to me to see the nature of David so young. He was given a task by his father, however, David ensured that his work at the homestead would not be hindered by his absence. He instructed a keeper of the sheep and departed.

“…he came to the trench…”

When David arrived, the army of Israel had “dug in.” The Greek word translated as “trench” in English refers to “a rampart of wagons.” The circling of wagons formed a simple defense for the army of Israel.

David arrived as the army of Israel were on their way to stand in fear of Goliath once again.

22 And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.

David left the wagon with all the foodstuffs with his driver and sought the army. His task was to deliver the food and get information about the battle and see to the needs of his older brothers.

23 And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard [them].

Same song. Second Verse. I am assuming that the only thing different on this day is the presence of David. Both armies ready themselves on the tops of the two hills surrounding the valley of Elah. Goliath makes his way down the hill, moving to within earshot of the army of Israel. Goliath repeats his insult.

1 Samuel 17:8-10 “…Why are ye come out to set [your] battle in array? [am] not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. 9 If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us. 10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.”

Only this time, Goliath’s mocking monolog is heard by a new set of ears. The errand boy, sheepherder, and youngest son of Jesse.

24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.

The results are the same. With each new day, Goliath’s insult is hurled, and the army of Israel reacts in fear. Each day Goliath is emboldened. I wonder if when Goliath came back into the camp of the Philistines to the roar of applause. Did he receive a hero’s welcome. Did the Philistines call the Israelites names across the valley floor?

25 And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, [that] the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.

The talk of the Israel camp was Goliath. Even though the prize was immense, no one took the king up on his offer of riches and making the champion a family member by marring the king’s daughter.

26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who [is] this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

David was beside himself. He was aghast that nothing had been done to Goliath, “this uncircumcised Philistine.” According to David, there was a price to be paid for anyone that would “defy the armies of the living God.”

27 And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.

The man that kills the Philistine’s champion, will be well taken care of by the King.

28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.

There is nothing like a brother or sister to tear down your plans and ideas. They know you best.

Conclusion

Last week’s conclusion

1. There will always be Goliaths

2. They will always trust in their earthly weapons

3. Fear and doubt will continue to meet you every day.

4. Every day you will live in shame until you meet your fears and doubts head on.

5. The Enemy will be persistent

6. The Enemy will Condemn

7. The Enemy will Strike Fear

This week’s conclusion

When the Giants Appear: God Knows

When the Giants Appear: God is Working

When the Giants Appear: Fear Replaces Faith

When the Giants Appear: Fear Brings Doubt

But God

Ephesians 3:17-21 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

[1] Jesse’s sons in birth order: Eliab, Abinadad, Shammah, Shimeah, Nethaneel, Raddai, Ozem, David [2] Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1993), 1 Sa 17