David and Goliath

I Samuel 16:1-18:16


Observation:

God has rejected Saul as king (the reason is found in chapter 15) and has Samuel anoint David as the next king of Israel. David is a shepherd with musical abilities, and his ability to play the harp and sing bring him into the palace to help soothe Saul’s tormented (I read this as “guilty”) soul.

During a battle against the Philistine’s, David’s father sends him to the battlefield to check on his older brothers. David hear’s Goliath’s challenge to battle one-on-one rather than as two armies, and David (who is NOT one of the soldiers) takes on the challenge and defeats Goliath with a slingshot and Goliath’s own sword. David is celebrated as a hero, and Saul develops an intense jealousy.


Interpretation:

David was walking in the will of God, and God’s favor shone on him. Walking with God meant David had confidence in Who God is. This confidence fueled David’s dependence on God. God used David to defeat Goliath because:

1. David understood that Goliath’s fight was with God,
2. David was prepared to depend on God, and
3. David’s heart was committed to God!

Application:

We need to follow David’s example and depend on God, trusting His presence and power, in all circumstances. The battle does not belong to us, but belongs to God and we are simply the vessels He chooses to use. We need to not allow our pride and self-sufficiency to take over. God-reliance is a character trait we need in order to be victorious in all things!