1 Samuel 17:32-50: David vs. Goliath
David's Faith and Courage
32 Then David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine."
David, a young shepherd, saw the fear in the eyes of the Israelite army as they faced the giant Goliath. He knew that he had to do something to boost their morale and prove that God was on their side.
33 And Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth."
Saul, the king of Israel, underestimated David's abilities, thinking that he was too young and inexperienced to face such a formidable foe. But David's faith in God gave him the confidence to take on the giant.
34 But David said to Saul, "Your servant used to keep his father's sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, 35 I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it rose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God."
David's experience as a shepherd had prepared him for this moment. He had faced and defeated wild beasts, and he was convinced that God would be with him as he faced Goliath.
37 Moreover David said, "The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine."
David's faith in God's deliverance gave him the courage to face the giant.
The Battle Begins
38 So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. 39 David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, "I cannot walk with these, for I am not used to them." And David took them off.
Saul, trying to help, gave David his own armor, but it was too heavy and cumbersome for the young shepherd.
40 Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine.
David returned to his simple shepherd's tools – a staff, five smooth stones, and his trusty sling. He knew that these would be enough to defeat the giant.
41 And the Philistine came on and drew near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him.
Goliath, confident in his own strength, mocked the young shepherd, but David was not intimidated.
42 When the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking.
Goliath underestimated David, thinking that he was just a young boy.
43 And the Philistine said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?" So the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
Goliath taunted David, thinking that he was no match for him.
44 And the Philistine said to David, "Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!"
Goliath threatened David, promising to feed his body to the wild animals.
45 Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a shield, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied."
David, unafraid, stood up to Goliath, proclaiming his faith in the God of Israel.
46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and remove your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
David, trusting in God, declared that the giant would fall before him.
47 Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not deliver by sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord's, and He will give you into our hands."
The outcome of the battle would not depend on human might, but on the power of God.
**48
