Bible Story Deep Dive: David and Goliath

*Disclaimer: These posts will be much longer than the usual

The legendary tale known to all. A shepherd boy going to battle with a fierce giant. A sling and fated stone. A victory miraculously won. The story of David and Goliath has long been a favorite of many. Doubtless, we have all heard it told countless times and perhaps become slightly calloused to the wonder of the story. So let's take a moment to study the words in Scriptures. Let’s revive our love and passion for this story and maybe even find a few hidden treasures that we had not noticed before.

The story begins in 1st Samuel 17, battle is at hand between the Israelites and their long-time enemy the Philistines. Saul, the king of Israel, and his army have prepared to fight, ready to take action and to destroy their foes. That is they were — until Goliath stepped into the picture. Verse 4 describes him as being about nine feet tall. He wears bronze armor and carries a huge bronze spear. The total weight was over 140 lbs. In short, he was very strong. Goliath was a giant in every sense of the word. Knowing this, it seems easy to sympathize with Saul and his army when they back away from the giant’s challenge to single combat. Should we be sympathetic though?

This is Saul: the king who had fought and won many battles for the LORD. In this instance, it is plain that Saul was not thinking of his God. He was relying on his own strength and the strength of his men. If we read the previous chapters leading up to this event, it becomes plain that Saul was not in a good relationship with the LORD. Saul blatantly disobeyed at Amalek (1 Sam 15) and Saul rejected the LORD which resulted in the LORD rejecting him. God turned from Saul and anointed David as the next king and a harmful spirit began to torment Saul. Saul was stubbornly refusing to ask God for help and he seemed to understand that victory without God’s will is impossible.

In light of this, the ‘battle’ was not going well. Israel was doing absolutely nothing. Not one of the men was brave enough to take on Goliath. Every day Goliath came and challenged the army of Israel. This went on for forty days. The number forty is often used to symbolize trials or punishmental periods throughout the Bible, such as the flood in Genesis or when Jesus was in the wilderness.

At that point, David showed up on scene. David had been anointed as future king, helped to soothe Saul’s harmful spirit and became the king’s armor-bearer. When David first arrived at the encampment, his coming was not received well, especially by his oldest brother Eliab. I always find it surprising how much David’s own family seemed to dislike him. When Samuel was looking for the son of Jesse to anoint, David was brought forth very reluctantly. They even made an excuse saying that “[David] is keeping the sheep” (1 Sam. 16:11) when the other sons had no trouble coming. Now, when David asks about Goliath and why no one has brought him down, it says that “Eliab’s anger was kindled against David,” (1 Sam. 17: 28) and Eliab accuses him of running away from his duties to witness the battle. You would think that his own brothers would be aware of how capable and faithful David was. There is never a clear reason given as to why they seemed to despise David, but the aggression is definitely there.

On another note, I find it rather funny the amount of times the Bible describes David’s looks and it’s always very positive. Many of the Biblical characters get little to no physical description, but David gets ruddy, having beautiful eyes, and is twice called handsome. The Bible really makes a point of making sure we knew David was handsome.

Also, David killed lions. That is certainly awe-inspiring. David only had his staff, his sling, and his bare hands — and he killed lions. They are vicious and fierce especially when roused, definitely not easy to kill. This is a huge indicator to how skilled and strong David was — and proof of the favor of the LORD that was on him. It then makes sense why David gave this fact as a credential to Saul.

As David went around the Israelite camp, he spoke time and time again of how the living God would deliver them. No one seemed to believe him. When Saul sent him out, he said, “Go, and the LORD be with you!” (1 Sam 17: 27) but knowing Saul, I have a feeling that this was just words. It was different when David spoke of the LORD. He spoke with firm assurance. He never doubted once that the LORD would be with him and give him victory. When he addressed Goliath he said, “...that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hand.” (1 Sam. 17:46-47) This was not only a clear address to the Philistine army but also a jab at the Israelites for their doubt.

David struck Goliath with a single stone from his sling and used the giant’s own sword to chop off his head. God was with David, undoubtedly. As soon as Goliath fell, Israel rushed forward and defeated the Philistines, led in the conflict by their newly anointed king. David’s actions sparked a renewal of bravery among the men of Israel and by his actions the truth of the living God was reestablished among them.

One more small thing to note, after the battle Saul requested David to come to his presence and asked who he was. This seems normal except...Saul should already know who David is. David had frequently played music for Saul to soothe the harmful spirit that tormented him. It even says in 1 Samuel 16:21-22 “And Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer. And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, ‘Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight.’” Yet even after spending time with him before sending him to fight Goliath, Saul had no clue who David was.

This tale is legendary for a reason. David was a heroic man full of courage, strength, and an unshakeable faith in his LORD. Even when the army of his own people and his king were terrified of a giant, David knew where to find courage and strength. He was a true man of God. His story reminds us that the LORD will be on our side to fight all of our battles with us, so long as we have faith in Him.