Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted." (verse 45)
Message: David Versus Goliath
Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).
What the Lord is Saying: There is a battle Southwest of Jerusalem in the city of Socoh that the Philistines have initiated with Israel. The two areas are on the side of a mountain with land in between and Goliath has made his declaration that if anyone fights him then the victor will be served, meaning the other party will serve the other. David was not even present as a member of the military but was back in Jerusalem tending to the sheep and then providing food for his brothers, but upon arriving on the scene and seeing Goliath makes the bold statement that he could fight him because of his past experience but more notably because of the Lord defeating His foes.
In verse 38, Saul tries to clothe Saul with garments for battle, but David took them off (v. 39). Instead he took a stick and five stones in his hand from the brook with his sling (v.40). Goliath came to him with his shield bearer in front of him. The Philistine speaks to David, cursing him stating his "flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field" (verse 44).
David responds that he comes in the name of the Lord. "The Lord will deliver [me]...I will strike you down...And i will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth will know that there is a God in Israel." And to this day the earth knows of the story of David and Goliath. "For the battle is the Lord's."
"And David put his hand into his bag and took from it a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead. And the stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground" (verse 49).
David killed him with Goliath's sword. Philistines fled. The men of Israel pursued the Philistines and they lay dead. Israel plundered their camps. David brought Samson's head to King Saul. Saul seem to not realize in that moment that this was Jesse's son. David let him know. (v. 50-58)
David modeled a trust in the Lord, something that Saul struggled with. Saul may have tried to do things for the Lord, but he seemed to lack trust and lacked giving God the glory. People marvel at the sling and the stone, but it was only to show that the power is in the Lord. The sling and stone were still necessary as we still need to arm ourselves. We don't go into fights with nothing.
Summary: David defeats Goliath stating the battle is the Lord's and brings his head before Saul and declares he is the son of Jesse.
Promise: Look past what looks powerful and trust that God will conquer our foes.
Prayer: O God, you are great and mighty and powerful. We can rest in You always to take care of the foes in our lives. It may not be immediate but You will conquer and You will prevail and help me now to proclaim You always and put my trust in You can speak of Your power in my life.
Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.
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