Goliath and David I Samuel 17

I Samuel 17:4 "And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span."

That's 9 feet and 3 inches.

Chapter 17 holds one of the most loved and most told stories of the Bible. It is David defeating the giant Goliath. It tells what one man, who trusts in the LORD, can do against a, seemingly, overwhelming enemy.

The Bible goes into great detail to tell about Goliath: v5 "And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass." He was even so sure of himself that he had a target of brass between his shoulders.

The armies of Israel and Philistines are encamped on opposite mountains with a valley in between where the battle was being fought. There is mention of a trench, so the army must have been dug in. Goliath came out everyday for 40 days and defied the army of Israel twice a day. The men of Israel were afraid of this giant. He would come out and roar for someone to come out and fight him. The prize was that who ever won would have the other for servants.

David was sent with food for his brothers and a gift of cheese for their captain. David ran into the army and inquired of the giant. His brother scorned David for asking of the battle but David answered him with a couple of questions:

v29 "And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?"

The words of David finally reached Saul and he was called to the king. David offered to fight the Philistine but the king was doubtful.

v33 "And Saul said to David, Thou are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth."

I am reminded of what Paul told Timothy in the New Testament. 'Let no man despise thy youth.' I Timothy 4:12

Well, Saul would allow David to try. He gave him armour but it did not fit, so David picked up some stones, took out his sling and walked forward to the giant. David had every reason to be discouraged: his brother scorned him, the king did not believe in him, he had no armour and the giant was a trained warrior.

v45 "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."

That tells me that David had the advantage after all. The LORD was on his side.

The giant roared his slander while David placed a stone in his sling. The stone went true and hit the giant in the forehead. He fell face down.

v49 "And David put his hand in the bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth."

It should be no surprise that a man who had took down a bear and a lion and who had the LORD of host on his side, could take down one giant. Now, the king wanted to know more about this young man.

v58 "And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite."

Remember also that Jesse descended from Boaz and Ruth. A good chapter to read all the way through.

Psalm 7:10 "My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart."

keywords: Bible Study, Old Testament, Israel, Samuel, Saul, David, Goliath,Milton Southerland