The Confrontation

1 Samuel 17:40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling [was] in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. 41 And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield [went] before him. 42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was [but] a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. 43 And the Philistine said unto David, [Am] I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. 45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou 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. 46 This 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. 47 And 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.

Introduction

The pinnacle of this story and its conflict is found in the above passage. An invading nation set up its “war camp” on the western side of the Valley of Elah. The home nation set its battle camp on the eastern side. Every day the opposing armies set themselves in battle array. Every day the champion of the Philistine army appears on the battle field challenging the army of Israel to produce a champion to fight, “mano a mono.”

It is a stain on the nation of Israel to quake in fear by a single warrior, who just happens to be a giant. For forty days, Goliath has entered the battle field prepared to fight the champion of the Israelite army. Forty days the response is the same: “Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.” (1Sa 17:12)

This wearisome problem has lingered for far too long. From the invasion into Judea, to the moment that David picks up the five stones, the object lesson has been waiting for Israel to face the thing that they fear the most: a giant named Goliath.

Five Smooth Stones

1 Samuel 17:40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling [was] in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.

The only description of the stones that David collected was that they were five and they were smooth. The smoother the stone, the further and more accurate the missile would fly, straight and true. We are also not told the size of the stones. In using a sling, the speed and accuracy determine the outcome. However, the size of the stone would be a deciding factor when the stone hit its mark.

David enters the Valley of Elah, the proposed battlefield ahead of Goliath on this day…sling in hand.

41 And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield [went] before him.

The different situation on this day is not lost on me. Instead of the Philistine champion entering the battlefield to hurl insults at Israel, its army, king, and the God of Israel, like he had for the past forty days, an opponent from the camp of Israel was already waiting on him.

I wonder if Goliath sensed that this day was different. Upon seeing his opponent already in place, Goliath and his shield bearer made their way to the battlefield. Into the Valley of Elah Goliath trod, while the shepherd boy waited, both armies looking on, cheering and jeering.

Confronting the Giant

42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was [but] a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.

As Goliath approached and began appraising his opponent, he grew angry that the opposing army would send a youthful, ruddy faced and handsome kid to battle with him. David simply lacked the signs of age and scares of the battlefield to be the champion of the opposing army. Goliath saw this as an insult and their disrespect of him.

43 And the Philistine said unto David, [Am] I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

“Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves?

Goliath’s opposition was not carrying sword, shield, and spear. Instead, he clung to a shepherd’s staff. The staff served two purposes: to ward off attackers (wild dogs, lions, and bears), and secondly to care for his sheep.

Goliath’s anger was boiling over at this point. He began calling on his gods to curse the ruddy faced youth standing before him.

Note: I find it interesting that Goliath did not see or identify the weapon that would be his demise: the sling.

44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.

Goliath is now showing nothing but contempt for David. In his pride and arrogance, the Philistine champion calls out to David. He declares to David, the Philistines, and Israel that Israel’s champion is already dead and that the fowls of the air and the wild animals should make their way to the Valley of Elah for the lad is but food for the carrion.

Goliath needed a pair of spiritual glasses this day. All he saw was a child. What he didn’t see was the LORD God of Israel at David’s side.

45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou 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.

I don’t know who to credit for this, but my wrestling coach in high school repeatedly encouraged the team that, “It is not the size of the dog in the fight. It is the size of fight in the dog.” David was having none of Goliath’s bravado. His lip did not quiver nor did his knees shake at the sight of the warrior champion of the Philistines.

“Thou 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.”

David sets the record straight about his choice of weapons for the battle. His weapon of choice is the “Name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel.”

46 This 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.

Did Goliath feel the bravado of David? Was he incensed because a child informed him of his and his army’s end?

· The LORD will deliver you into my hand

· I will smite you

· I will have your head

· I will leave your carcass and those of your fellow warriors to the carrion

· All the earth will know that there is a God in Israel.

There might not have been a response for forty days, but day forty-one will be different.

47 And 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’s word should have stung the army of Saul. They let their fear of Goliath turn their hearts away from the LORD God.

David rehearses the power of the LORD of Israel in the ears of Goliath, the Philistine army, the king of Israel, and the army of Israel. David was receiving the Word of the LORD very clearly.

Conclusion

I would like to draw your attention to a parallel between David and Jesus Christ.

David

David’s name means “beloved.”

Born in Bethlehem

Rejected by his family

Anointed king years before his reign

David’s father Jesse, sent David to care for his brethren

David would face the enemy in the Valley of Elah

Jesus Christ

Jesus is the beloved Son in whom He is well pleased.

Born in Bethlehem

Rejected by His family

On Jesus’ return, He will be anointed King of all kings.

God sent Jesus to care for Israel

David would face his enemy in the Valley of Elah

Jesus would face His enemy in the Valley of Armageddon

When Goliath’s appear in your life, one of two things will happen. You will shake in fear, or you will confront your giant.

If you are facing a giant, will fear or faith fuel your response?