The Gospel According to David

The David Story

The time of the Judges has passed. Israel is no longer led by Judges. (, ).

Israel has its first king — Saul ().

He has been rejected by the LORD ().

David has been anointed to replace him ().

Israel was at war with the sea-people — The Philistines (, ). At this time, Israel and Philistia were gathered together and camped on opposing sides of the Valley of Elah ready to do battle with one another ().

The Philistines had a giant champion warrior named Goliath He stood about 9 feet, 9 inches. He wore scale armor weighing about 125 pounds which made him look like a great dragon or serpent. His spear weighed about 15 pounds ().

He stood about 9 feet, 9 inches. He wore scale armor weighing about 125 pounds which made him look like a great dragon or serpent. His spear weighed about 15 pounds.

For forty days, Goliath would take his stand and mock and defy the armies of Israel begging for a man to fight. Saul and all of Israel were dismayed and terrified ().

David has been sent by his father — Jesse, to take provision to his brothers who were a part of Saul’s army (). As David arrives and speaks with his brothers, Goliath once again stepped out of his line and struck fear into the heart of Israel ().

While Israel is cowering at the size of Goliath, David is sizing him up and comes to the conclusion that this dragon is too big to miss — That the LORD will give him into his hand.

The Jesus Story

The Jesus Story

"David comes into this story as a glorious type of Christ. Goliath was a giant, but he was also a serpent, a dragon. The Hebrew word for his armor means scales, which made him a gigantic reptile, like a dragon, and David topples him with a wound to the head ()." — Doug Wilson

"David comes into this story as a glorious type of Christ. Goliath was a giant, but he was also a serpent, a dragon. The Hebrew word for his armor means scales, which made him a gigantic reptile, like a dragon, and David topples him with a wound to the head ()."

- Doug Wilson