Seven Truths to Remember About Fighting Giants David

David A M A N A F T E R G O D ’ S O W N H E A R T

Seven Truths To Remember About Fighting Giants 1 Samuel 17

an you remember the first time you a soldier from his youth (17:33). He was a battle- C heard the story of David and the hardened veteran. giant—and how exciting it was? He was clothed in full armor, including a Perhaps you have heard the story so many times, helmet.6 His “scale armor”7 weighed 125 to 150 it has lost its punch. To appreciate this lesson, pounds!8 He carried a spear in his hand, with a pretend you are hearing the story for the first spare javelin9 slung on his back. The shaft of the time. Can you do that? Great. Let us study one of spear was like a weaver’s beam and the head of the most stirring adventures in the Bible.1 the spear weighed 15 to 20 pounds!10 (He would As 1 Samuel 17 begins, the Israelites were at not have to throw it at anyone; he could just drop war: “Now the Philistines gathered their armies it on an opponent’s head!) His shield was so for battle” (v. 1). The Philistines came from is- large, it took another soldier to carry it before lands in the Mediterranean Sea to Palestine and him. set up city states along the coast. They were a Goliath stomped down into the valley of Elah constant thorn in the side of the Israelites. Now and yelled, “Send your champion down, and we they had come to fight the Israelites.2 will fight this out!” He shouted this challenge: “If Verses 1 through 3 set the scene: King Saul he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we and his army lined up on one mountain while the will become your servants; but if I prevail against Philistines amassed themselves on a mountain him and kill him, then you shall become our opposite. In between is the valley of Elah.3 Every servants and serve us” (17:9). This was called the morning, each army put on its armor and gave a “challenge to single combat” and was recog- great war cry (17:20, 21). The two armies hurled nized as a legitimate way to settle military dis- insults back and forth, but nobody made the first putes. It is not a bad idea. The next time a war move. Finally, from among the Philistines came between countries seems inevitable, the two lead- a giant, a massive towering presence: “Then a ers could fight it out and leave the rest of us out champion came out from the armies of the Philis- of it! tines named Goliath, from Gath, whose height Verse 11 says, “When Saul and all Israel heard was six cubits and a span” (17:4). That is approxi- these words of the Philistine, they were dis- mately nine and one-half feet tall!4 Assuming mayed and greatly afraid.” Verse 16 notes, “And Goliath was proportioned as most men are, he the Philistine came forward morning and evening would have weighed 600 to 700 pounds!5 It was for forty days, and took his stand.” Goliath 600-plus pounds of muscle, not fat. He had been walked into the valley of Elah twice a day for

1 forty days and made his challenge; that is a total in the original means “their pledge” (see KJV). of eighty times. He was about to make the chal- This may refer to something tangible David was lenge the eighty-first time. to bring back to prove they were all right. “So It would have been scary to face a nine and David arose early in the morning and left the one-half foot giant . . . but we all have giants in flock with a keeper and took the supplies and our lives—things that loom large in our lives, went as Jesse had commanded him” (17:20). that we have to face, problems we must conquer As David headed to the valley of Elah, I am if we are to go on with our lives. It may be a legal sure the furthermost thing from his mind was battle, a struggle with an employer, a bad habit, fighting a giant. That morning had dawned like an overpowering temptation, working on a any other. No doubt David was excited—he was strained relationship. It may involve people or going to see his brothers and would see the pressures; it results in worries and fears. If you battle—but there would have been no forebod- have not yet had to face a giant in your life, I ing of what was before, no thought of meeting a assure you that at some point you will! giant. That which is a giant to me may not look like The days when giants appear in your life a giant to you, but it is still a giant. That which is start out like any other day. You wake up. You go a giant to you may not look like a giant to me, but through your routine. Maybe it is a good day, or it is nevertheless real. Each of us struggles with maybe it is not so good, but it is like a thousand his or her own special temptations—giants we other days in your life. Then a letter comes in the face every day of our lives, and they are very real! mail . . . or a telegram comes . . . or the telephone Never make light of anyone else’s giants. rings . . . or someone stops by. Perhaps you are All of us face our giants, challenges that loom called into your employer’s office . . . or you large on our horizons, problems that make our make a routine visit to the doctor to take care of knees grow weak. The question is, How can we some nagging but insignificant medical problem defeat the Goliaths of life? In 1 Samuel 17 we find . . . or your mate says, “We’ve got to talk.” seven truths to remember about fighting giants, Suddenly, there looms the giant. seven truths that can help us be victorious. When David reached the valley of Elah, he left the provisions with the one in charge and I. GIANTS APPEAR WHEN YOU then went to see how his brothers were. As he LEAST EXPECT THEM was talking with them, “behold, the champion, (17:12–15, 17–23) the Philistine from Gath named Goliath, was While David was at home in Bethlehem, his coming up from the army of the Philistines, and three oldest brothers were in the army of Israel. he spoke these same words” (17:23). These words They had gone with Saul to battle the Philistines. are found in verse 10: “I defy the ranks of Israel It was the custom for the older sons to go to war this day; give me a man that we may fight to- while the younger ones stayed home and did the gether.” Imagine the sarcasm in Goliath’s voice: chores. David, of course, was the baby of the “I’ve been standing on this spot for forty days family—the youngest of ten. He was probably now! This is the eighty-first time I’ve made this still in his teens, not yet twenty.11 Most of his time challenge! Is no one in all of Israel brave enough was spent in the shepherd fields. Occasionally he to face me?” went to Saul’s palace to play his harp for the king Verse 23 notes, “And David heard [the words (17:15),12 but his day-to-day job was to care for Goliath spoke].” He could not ignore the fact that sheep. a giant had come into his life. Mark it down: One day Jesse said to David, “Your brothers Sooner or later, you will have to face your giant. have been gone forty days now, and I do not know what has happened to them. I want you to II. YOU CAN FACE GIANTS WITH go check on them. Take these provisions to them; FAITH OR FEAR (17:24–27) then bring back news of them.” Bethlehem was Our text contrasts the fear of the soldiers and only ten to fifteen miles away, but the family had the faith of David. Verse 11 notes: “When Saul not had any word from the three brothers for and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, over a month. The phrase “news of them” (17:18) they were dismayed and greatly afraid.” Verse

2 24 says, “When all the men of Israel saw the man, be supportive, helpful, and strengthening—but they fled from him and were greatly afraid.” that is not so. Instead there will always be some- As David talked with his brothers, the giant one ready to say, “You can’t do this. You don’t came out and hurled his challenge. David could have what it takes. You might as well give up.” not believe his ears! “Did you hear what that When it came to fighting the giant, David’s Philistine said?!” No one answered. David looked father had already said, “You’re too young.” Jesse around—and he was all alone. Everyone else sent the oldest boys to join the army, not David. was fifty feet behind him, in a place of safety! Now David’s brother said, “You’re too imma- “When all the men of Israel saw the [giant], they ture.” fled from him and were greatly afraid.” (Empha- sis mine.) Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when [David] spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger When David went where the troops were burned against David and he said, “Why have cowering, the soldiers were talking about the you come down?16 And with whom have you situation. Since no one had volunteered to fight left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your insolence and the wickedness of your the giant, Saul had “sweetened the pot.” He said, heart; for you have come down in order to see “Whoever kills this Philistine, I’ll make him rich. the battle” (17:28). I’ll give him my daughter for a wife,13 and his father’s house will be free”—that is, free from Keep in mind who Eliab was. He was the first taxes and public service. one who walked into the house when Samuel Let us pause to ask this question: Of all the was there to anoint the next king. Samuel had soldiers lined up on the Israelite side, who was thought, “That’s the one!” but God put His hand the logical choice to go fight the giant? Who was on Samuel’s shoulder and said, “No, that’s not head and shoulders above everyone else there— the one. I don’t see as man sees. I look at the the one nearest the giant’s size? Saul himself14— heart.”17 Then Eliab had to stand by and watch as but Saul was afraid,15 so he dangled these incen- the horn of oil was poured on the head of his tives before his men. youngest brother, David. Jealousy was eating up I believe these attractive offers zoomed right this man. He insulted David’s motives, David’s over the head of David. David was upset because job, and David’s heart. the name of God was blasphemed. David was not The natural response of David would have interested in the rewards; rather, he was con- been to get into a fight with his brother. Do you cerned about the honor of his God. Note David’s have brothers and sisters? Did you ever get into words at the end of verse 26: “. . . who is this a fuss with them? If David had been like us, he uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt would probably have gotten into a fist fight with the armies of the living God?” (Emphasis mine.) Eliab. That is the way it is so often when we face All of us need the heart of David! We hear the giants. Instead of using our energies to fight the name of God blasphemed day after day—and we giants, we fight people. We are unhappy and out get used to it. We become hardened and think of sorts, so we take it out on those around us, nothing of it. David became angry! They were using the energy that should be spent in defeat- insulting the living God. “Why doesn’t someone ing our giants. do something about it?!” David, however, refused to be drawn into a As giants come into our lives, we can be prolonged battle with his brother. He said, in afraid, or we can meet them with faith in God. effect, “Why are you talking that way? I have We can be overwhelmed by them, or we can see done nothing wrong.”18 He then turned and them as opportunities to glorify the name of talked to someone else. He was not going to fight God. in the camp when there was a giant in the valley below.19 III. SOMEONE WILL ALWAYS BE David’s inquiries came to the ear of Saul, and READY TO DISCOURAGE YOU Saul sent for David. David said to the king, “Let (17:28–33) no man’s heart fail on account of him; your You would think that when there are prob- servant will go and fight with this Philistine” lems in a person’s life, everyone around would (17:32).

3 Now Saul tried to discourage David. He said, duty bonus for facing these fierce creatures. He “You are not able to go against this Philistine to did not get his picture on the ten o’clock news as fight with him; for you are but a youth while he “hero of the day.” He did not even get a “thank has been a warrior from his youth” (17:33).20 you” from the sheep (sheep are stingy with their “How could you possibly know anything about applause)! Facing lions and bears was part of the warfare? You’re just a youngster who has been job description of a shepherd—and David did taking care of sheep. On the other hand, this his job. giant has been training for this moment since he Your preparation to meet life has to come was a boy. No, you are too inexperienced.” from within. You prepare for the big giants in Everyone tried to discourage this young man your life by first facing the little giants. You from fighting Goliath. A little later, the giant prepare for major problems by not ignoring the himself said, “You’re too small! You’re too weak! little problems of your life, but by facing them You’re too ill-equipped!” (see 17:42, 43). squarely and dealing with them with the help of When you face your giant, you will hear God. discouraging words. They may be from your David’s most important preparation for meet- family (as David was discouraged by his father ing Goliath was cultivating his relationship with and his brother). They may be from someone you God. As he spoke of killing the lions and the thought was your friend (remember that David bears, note to whom he gave the credit: “The Lord had already played his harp for Saul from time to who delivered me from the paw of the lion and time). They may be from someone who does not from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from like you (someone like Goliath). You can count the hand of this Philistine” (17:37a; emphasis on it; they will come. Prepare your mind for them mine). David believed in God! “This is the vic- and do not be surprised if people say, “You can’t tory that has overcome the world—our faith” do it!” (1 John 5:4). How did this teen-ager develop a faith in IV. YOU MUST PREPARE BEFORE God the men in Saul’s army did not have? He YOU MEET YOUR GIANTS developed his faith the same way his brothers (17:34–37) and Saul could have developed theirs, the same way each of us can increase our faith. He medi- If you think, “I’ll wait until the problem arises, tated on God and on God’s Word21—and on all then I’ll face it,” you will probably end up like the victories God had given him. Goliath, flat on your back. You must prepare Our problem is that we remember what we before you meet your giants. should forget and forget what we should re- David had prepared himself to face Goliath, member. We remember our failures and forget first, by facing lions and bears as he took care of the victories God has given us. C. H. Spurgeon the sheep. When Saul tried to discourage David, noted, “We write our benefits in dust and our David answered, injuries in marble. . . . We . . . inscribe our Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. afflictions upon brass, while the records of the 22 When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb deliverances of God are written in water.” If, from the flock, I went out after him and at- instead of dwelling on past defeats, we dwell on tacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his how God has continually helped us deal with beard and struck him and killed him. Your our problems, we will be ready when giants walk servant has killed both the lion and the bear; uninvited into our lives. and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God (17:34–36). V. PREPARE THE BEST YOU CAN AND THEN DEPEND ON GOD David did not prepare for Goliath on the (17:37–47) battlefield, but in the back pasture. He did not Saul must have been desperate; I cannot think have to face the lions and the bears. If he had run, of any other reason he would entrust the task of no one would have known but the sheep—and fighting a giant to a young lad.23 Saul said to they would not tell. He did not get a hazardous- David, “Go, and may the Lord be with you”

4 (17:37b). Isn’t it ironic the king knew the lan- When I was a youngster, on several occasions I guage of faith,24 but not the life of faith? If Saul made a sling from a shoe tongue and shoe laces had really believed the Lord would be with David and tried it out. I would nest a little rock in the and give him the victory, Saul would have been tongue, whirl the sling around my head, then let on the battlefield himself! go of one end. The stone would fly toward the We cannot help but be impressed with the target . . . unless it flew off in the other direction. confidence of David in contrast with the lack of I broke so many things that my mother finally confidence of all those about him. David had made me quit. It has to be the most unwieldy confidence because of at least three things. First, weapon ever devised! he had confidence because of his training.25 This Amazingly enough, however, some devel- is suggested in 17:38, 39. oped great accuracy with this fickle instrument. These verses contain a humorous scene as Judges 20:15, 16 tells of seven hundred left- Saul put his armor on David. I am not sure why handed Benjamites and says, “each one of them could sling a stone In the end the way to live the confident at a hair and not life is trust—trust in God. miss”! Roy Osburne was once visiting Palestine.30 He came Saul wanted David to wear his own armor. May- upon a young goat herder sitting on a hillside in be Saul hoped to take part of the credit (like the shade. His goats were strung out a hundred someone saying, “He shot that bear with my or so yards away. The boy was tending the flock gun”). Whatever the reason,26 the armor was put with his sling. If a goat started to wander off, the on David—with the helmet, the sword, and other young man would toss a stone in front of the accessories. The text then says, “[He] tried to animal to frighten it back into the flock. Roy walk” (17:39a; emphasis mine).27 Imagine David, walked up to the herder, pointed to a fig tree a size 34 regular, in Saul’s size 48 long! He could some distance away, and asked if he could hit it. not even walk, much less fight! David took the The boy put a stone in his sling, then whirled the armor off and said, ”I cannot go with these, for I sling faster and faster until it was a blur. The lad have not tested them” (17:39b). let go—and the stone buried itself in the middle In other words, he said, “I’m going to stay of the trunk. with what I know.” He had confidence in what David apparently had developed that kind of he knew he could do, that which had stood the skill. “He took his stick in his hand and chose for test for him in the past. What was that? He knew himself five smooth31 stones from the brook, and he could whirl a sling and throw a rock with that put them in the shepherd’s bag which he had, sling. He had confidence in his training. even in his pouch” (17:40a). David headed down This suggests a second “t”: David also had the hillside holding a stick in his hand—not a confidence because of his tools. He did not have weapon, but his walking staff. When he came to one of his more formidable weapons: his rod28— the brook in the middle of the valley, he chose the heavy stick with which he killed lions and five smooth stones. Note that he chose them bears (17:35).29 He did, however, have his sling instead of just picking up the first five that were (17:40). handy. He picked up a rock. “No, that one won’t You may be familiar with a device called “a do.” He tossed it aside. He picked up another. slingshot.” When I was a boy, we made these “Maybe.” He kept it while he checked out other from a forked branch, two strips of rubber cut likely looking prospects. Carefully, he picked from an inner tube, and a leather tongue from an out one, two, three, four, five stones that were old shoe. That is not what David had “in his exactly what he needed. He had his little shep- hand.” David’s sling was a leather pouch with a herd’s bag with him. It usually held his lunch, long leather thong tied on each side. To use the but today he put his five stones in it, and he was sling, you put a stone in the pouch, held the ends ready for the giant. of the thongs in your hand, whirled the pouch As all the eyes from both armies were on this around, then turned loose of one of the thongs. lad down in the creek bed,32 picking up rocks, can

5 you imagine the odds people were giving on this Lord does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into contest? As he walked toward the giant with his our hands” (17:45–47). five smooth stones, where do you think “the smart money” was? “The battle is the Lord’s.” If you have not Of course, as David stepped forward with underlined that passage, you need to. David confidence, it was not simply because of his lived by a simple principle. He had nothing to training and his tools. He was primarily confi- prove, nothing to lose. He was not trying to dent because of his trust. He depended on his impress anyone. He was just standing up for his God. God. He wanted all to know there is a God in Verses 40 and 41 draw a sharp contrast be- heaven and the victory will belong to Him. tween the two combatants: “His sling was in his I have suggested that you need to prepare hand; and he approached the Philistine. Then the yourself for the challenges life can bring. At Philistine came on and approached David, with some point in your life, however, you will turn a the shield-bearer in front of him.” From the west corner and encounter a giant so huge, so mas- came the great armored champion, his mighty sive, that all your training will seem deficient, lance tufted with feathers, his brazen helmet your tools inadequate. Then it is important to shining in the sun. From the east came a small remember: “The battle is the Lord’s”! In the end rosy-cheeked young man in robe and sandals, the way to live the confident life is trust—trust in 33 with a goat’s-hair sling. God. We sing “Faith Is the Victory”36; David lived When the giant saw David, he was insulted. it. When the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth, and VI. IF YOU HAVE A GIANT, FACE IT ruddy, with a handsome appearance. And the AT ONCE (17:48–51) Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine Once David had picked out his five smooth cursed David by his gods (17:42, 43). stones, he did not hesitate; he ran to meet Goliath.

When Goliath cursed David by his gods—Dagon, Then it happened when the Philistine rose and Baal, and the rest—he made a major mistake. He came and drew near to meet David, that David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the turned a military encounter into a theological Philistine. And David put his hand into his bag contest! It was going to be “God vs. gods” (little and took from it a stone and slung it, and struck “g”). the Philistine on his forehead. And the stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face Goliath tried to intimidate David: “Come to to the ground (17:48, 49). me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field” (17:44).34 We get David reached into his little shepherd bag, felt intimidated by the challenges we face, don’t we? around for the biggest rock, pulled it out, put it Often we could face our giants if we could get in the pouch, and started whirling the sling our knees to stop knocking. around his head. The sling began to buzz, then The ploy would have worked with me. I started to roar. Then—twang!—David released would have been petrified if a nine and one-half the stone. It zoomed through the air and buried foot monster said he was going to feed my car- itself in Goliath’s forehead. Goliath dropped as cass to the birds. Instead of terrifying David, though he had been shot. As the giant hit the however, Goliath’s threat called forth one of the ground with a crash, the earth shuddered. greatest expressions of faith in the Bible. David’s job was not finished yet. The giant might only be stunned. Again David ran (17:51). Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to He sprinted to the fallen body. He had no sword,37 me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I so he took Goliath’s. (“May I borrow your sword, come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have so I can cut off your head? Thank you.”) With a taunted. This day the Lord will deliver you up mighty “whack!” the grisly task was done. into my hands, and I will strike you down and This dramatic victory teaches us that ulti- remove your head from you.35. . . that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, mately victory is not dependent on size or physi- and that all this assembly may know that the cal prowess, but on our relationship with God.

6 Let us never forget it! The victory also teaches God does not want you to waste a single victory; that when you have a giant to fight, do not put it He says, “Don’t forget it!” Nothing will give you off. Every day you put off facing a challenge, that more strength in future battles! giant will grow another three feet in height! Every day that passes, it will be harder and CONCLUSION harder to solve that problem. Face your giants “Our Father in heaven, So many are strug- with God’s help—and face them at once! gling with problems—and those problems seem overwhelming at times. We pray that You will be VII. ONE VICTORY PREPARES FOR with each one and strengthen them. Help each of ANOTHER (17:51–54) us to do our best to prepare ourselves for what- Throughout David’s life, one victory pre- ever life may bring, but in the end, let us learn to pared him for the next. His victories over lions depend on You, so victory will be ours. Help us and bears prepared him for this moment. Now learn that with You on our side, nothing is im- this victory was preparing him for other victo- possible. Bless each one in a special way. In ries. First of all, David’s victory helped the Isra- Jesus’ name. Amen.” elite army. I like the way Lynn Anderson put it: Fighting giants can be a lonely business. When “Not only was David’s act courageous; it was also David stepped into the field of battle, Saul and contagious.”38 the army were not with him. He was all alone— I can imagine the scene after David finished except for his God. To face giants, you need God! off Goliath. He looked up at the Philistine army; they were standing there, eyes bugged out and mouths open. David pulled out another rock, SERMON AND VISUAL-AID NOTES tossed it in his hand, and shouted, “Got any more Sermon Notes: This is such a familiar story, giants?39 I have four more stones left!” The text I deliberately used an unusual approach. You says, “When the Philistines saw that their cham- may prefer to use the material to preach on pion was dead, they fled” (17:51b).40 Then the “Faith Is the Victory,” with two points: (1) Faith Israelites, who had been so fearful, came stream- gave David the victory. (2) Faith will give you the ing down the mountainside, screaming, “Give victory. It is a powerful—and needed—message. me a giant! I want one too!” “And the men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted and pursued Visual-aid Notes: You really need to make a the Philistines” (17:52a). David’s example en- simple sling for this lesson. You can make one couraged his fellow Israelites. simply from the tongue from an old shoe and two David’s victory also encouraged David him- shoelaces—or, if desired, you can do additional self in later battles. Verse 54 says, “Then David research and make a more authentic one from a took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusa- piece of soft leather and two leather thongs. lem, but he put his weapons in his tent.” The head of Goliath ended up in Jerusalem.41 (Why didn’t he bring the head home? I do not imagine his mother would let him keep it in the house!) Goliath’s weapons, however, David took home.42 Every night when David snuggled down into his bed, he could look over at the weapons and say, “God gave me the victory. The battle is the Either way, take it outdoors and try it out Lord’s!” Every morning when he woke up, he several times so you can substitute your own could see them and say, “God gave me the vic- humorous experiences for mine. Wrap the end of tory. The battle is the Lord’s!” Morning and one string around a finger so it will not come evening, day in and day out, he had a reminder loose when you open your hand; then hold the that when you stay with God, you have the end of the other string in your hand. Put a little victory. rock in the pocket and “give it a whirl” (pun Every time God gives you a victory, engrave intended). the details of that wondrous event on your heart.

7 NOTES the giant, thinking he would be killed. To me, it seems that 1A one-page outline of this lesson appeared in Truth Saul’s subsequent actions are not consistent with this mo- for Today (June 1993), 19. Much of the material used in this tivation. Another suggestion that has been given is that sermon appeared in so many sources, I cannot credit the David was so persistent, Saul finally gave in even though original source. Saul thought he had no chance. “O.K., O.K. Go ahead and 2The battle with the Philistines was an ongoing one give it a try.” 24 (see 1 Samuel 14:52). It had been twenty-seven or so years See also 1 Samuel 23:21. 25 since Saul defeated the Philistines at Michmash. The three “t’s” in this section were taken from Lynn 3The valley of Elah was in northwest Judah. It was one Anderson, “Facing Giants” (N.p., n.d.), sound cassette. 26 of the major passes from the Philistine plain up to the It has been suggested that Saul put the armor on highlands of Judah. David to discourage him, to show he could not wear the 4A “cubit” was from the elbow to the tip of the middle needed protection much less fight a battle. 27 finger, around eighteen inches. A “span” was the width of The KJV says, “He assayed to go.” 28 a hand, approximately five inches. The tallest basketball The “stick” of 1 Samuel 17:40 was probably his walk- players today are a little over seven feet tall. The tallest man ing stick, the shepherd staff (see KJV). 29 alive today is a little over eight feet tall. Goliath was one tall See also Psalm 23:4. 30 individual! Incidentally, archeologists have found skel- This story was taken from Lynn Anderson, “Facing etons this big in the area where the Philistines lived. Giants” (N.p., n.d.), sound cassette. 31 5This is not an unreasonable guess when it is remem- These would have been stones worn round by the bered that he had carried armor and weapons that prob- tumbling action of the water. Such stones could be thrown ably exceeded two hundred pounds in weight. with greater accuracy. 32 6He also had bronze greaves on his legs (17:6); those This stream, which still flows through the valley, is were shin guards. dry much of the year. 33 7A special body suit was made of leather. Then metal Someone has pictured this as a massive bomber com- plates were fastened to the leather like scales. This armor ing to meet an elusive jet. 34 came almost to the knees. Goliath was threatening to leave David’s dead body, 8Since the weights of different countries varied, one unburied, in the field of battle so wild creatures could feed cannot be dogmatic as to how much five thousand shekels on it. 35 of bronze weighed (17:5). Some estimate the weight as high Some preachers put it this way: “I’ll cut off your head as two hundred pounds. so fast, you won’t know it ‘til you sneeze!” 36 9The KJV has “target.” “Faith Is the Victory” is a good song to sing just 10This is a guess as to what six hundred shekels of iron before this lesson. 37 would weigh (17:7). Some estimate the weight to have been The Philistines had a monopoly on weapons made of twenty-five pounds. iron (note 1 Samuel 13:19–22). 38 11Some writers place his age in the early twenties. Lynn Anderson, Finding the Heart to Go On (San 12Cf. 1 Samuel 16:23. Bernardino, Calif.: Here’s Life Publishers, 1991), 44. 39 13Saul was not just trying to get rid of an ugly daughter! There were other giants in Philistia (2 Samuel 21:15– This was a tempting incentive. If one married the king’s 22). These were later defeated; this was David’s heritage. daughter, he became part of the royal family. (In this connection, it should be noted that another giant— 141 Samuel 10:23. killed by another individual—was also named Goliath. See 151 Samuel 17:11. 2 Samuel 21:19.) 40 16The Berkeley Version in Modern English (Grand Rapids, The Philistines were supposed to surrender and be- Mich.: Zondervan, 1960) has “Why have you really come?” come the slaves of the Israelites when their champion fell. (Emphasis mine.) So much for Philistine honor! 41 17See 1 Samuel 16:6, 7. Since David did not capture Jerusalem until he was 18See 1 Samuel 17:29. king (2 Samuel 5:6–10), the statement about bringing the 19We need to learn this in the church. We sometimes head of Goliath to Jerusalem is probably anticipating what fight among ourselves when there are giants of evil that happened several years later. 42 need our attention! Since the sword ended up in the tabernacle (1 Samuel 20This chapter illustrates the truth of 1 Samuel 16:7. 21:8, 9), some speculate that “his tent” refers to the taber- 21Romans 10:17. nacle rather than David’s personal tent. Perhaps David 22C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of the Bible, vol. 1 (Grand originally took the weapons home, then later was per- Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1968), 660. suaded to donate them to the tabernacle so they could 23Some suggest that Saul already knew David had been encourage all Israel. Note that the word “tent” is some- anointed as the next king—and Saul allowed him to fight times used to mean “home” (1 Samuel 13:2; etc.).