“You have come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel...that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD’S and He will give you into our hands”
I Samuel 17:45-47
There is a lot to discuss regarding this incident...beginning with a couple of perceived inconsistencies with the previous chapter, where we are told ”One of the servants said to Saul, “One of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem is a talented harp player. Not only that—he is a brave warrior, a man of war, and has good judgment. He is also a fine-looking young man, and the LORD is with him. So Saul sent messengers to Jesse to say, “Send me your son David, the shepherd.” Jesse responded by sending David to Saul, along with a young goat, a donkey loaded with bread, and a wineskin full of wine. So David went to Saul and began serving him. Saul loved David very much, and David became his armor bearer. Then Saul sent word to Jesse asking, “Please let David remain in my service, for I am very pleased with him.” 1 Samuel 16:18-22
Keil & Delitzsch do an admirable job of de-conflicting the claims in this chapter that David, Saul’s armor-bearer, was in Bethlehem tending his father’s sheep and that, after the battle Saul asked who David’s Father was...a man he clearly knew from the preceding chapter.
First, David was employed to soothe Saul’s melancholy by playing the harp. It is sensible to surmise this wasn’t a full time job so David was probably allowed to go home and help his family when he wasn’t needed. The Veterans Administration does this with certain employees (called “fee-basis”) who have specific duties. They don’t come to work on a regular schedule (either full or part time) but are called to work when they are needed. Second, the title “armor bearer” what’s an “honorific” commonly bestowed on the people called to serve on someone’s personal staff. They did not necessarily carry the commander’s armor into battle. We know Joab, David’s commanding general, had at least ten armor bearers (2 Samuel 18:15) so we may surmise the King employed many more.
Second, Saul knew who David’s Father was so, why would he ask Abner? Keil & Delitzsch suggest Saul was simply responding to the miraculous feat David had just performed and wanted to know more about the family. Perhaps he had underestimated Jesse who, in his own right, may have been a man of greater reputation and worthy of consideration for duties in the King’s house. After all, he was going to live the rest of his life tax-free which, in itself, would elevate his status. We see a similar question asked by the Pharisees, of Jesus, in Luke 5:21 and, in Luke 7:49, spoken by the people who reclined at table with Jesus. “Who is this man Who speaks blasphemy for, who can forgive sins but God alone?”
The question is more rhetorical. They knew who Jesus and Jesse were or, did they?
I’m comfortable with these explanations so, let’s look at the incident itself’’’
The Philistines invaded Israel and gathered their armies for battle. The men of Israel gathered across the valley. Goliath, whose height was 9’2’, shouted to the army of Israel “choose a man and let him come down to me. If he is able to kill me, we will become your servants; but if I kill him, you shall become our servants and serve us.” Saul and all Israel were...understandably...frightened. Nobody was willing to take the challenge.
Then...along came David and it changed everything.
Jesse sent David to the battle site with provisions for his brothers. As he was talking with them, Goliath came out with his same threatening words. David heard them and asked “what do I get if I kill this Philistine and end all this embarrassment?”
We know how the story ends but...how it ends is the critical point.
Goliath saw David approach with his sling and said, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And he cursed David. David responded...“You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands.”
Why would God do this for David? So that “all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, know that He does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD’S”
You and I have struggles every day. Sometime we face serious threats. The question is...how do we respond?
If we fabricate human weapons we risk being inferior to the threat. David could have worn armor but, go back and read the disparity between his and Goliath’s. Common human weapons include money, knowledge, strategic relationships, time, reason and many more. We can try them all but none has a a dependable win-loss record. Or, we can face our dragons in the name of our Lord Yahweh.
We might feel vulnerable...even naked and exposed but...God has never been defeated. All we need to do is ensure, when God comes through, “all the earth will know there is a God in you...fighting for you.” It is his battle.
Of course it means we can’t take credit fo the success. It takes great faith but, the alternative isn’t as appealing as we’d like to think.
Live boldly out there today...
