David versus Goliath

One of the most famous battles in the Bible is David versus Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. Why is the story of David versus Goliath in the Bible? For many years I searched for, “Five Simple Steps For Destroying The Giants In Your Life.” Trust me, those steps are not found in 1 Samuel 17! David versus Goliath demonstrates that David was a man after God’s own heart. In the previous chapter David was identified as a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14, 16:7). This event shows us the proper purpose for living.

Goliath was the Philistine’s champion. Goliath was 9 feet 9 inches tall. His armor weighed 125 pounds. The tip of his spear was 15 pounds. His armor bearer carried a full length shield. The Israelites were much shorter. Only King Saul possessed armor in Israel.

Every morning and evening Goliath challenged Israel to send forth a champion and fight. He said, “I defy (blaspheme) the ranks of Israel this day; give me a man that we may fight together” (1 Samuel 17:10). Goliath insulted the army, the nation of Israel and Israel’s God.

Many people live for the wrong purposes in life. First, some people live for riches. Verse 25 states, “And it will be that the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father’s house free in Israel.” The benefits included riches fit for a king, joining the royal family and no taxes.

Second, some people live for personal peace. Verse 24 reads, “When all the men of Israel saw the man, they fled from him and were greatly afraid.” Saul was the tallest person in Israel (1 Samuel 10:23). Saul should have confronted Goliath. Surely one person in the army would stand against him.

Most people want a comfortable life. They desire to be left alone. Their greatest value is peace. David did not live for personal peace.

Third, some people live for pleasure. Eliab, David’s oldest brother, made a vicious accusation against him. Eliab said, “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your insolence and the wickedness of your heart, for you have come down in order to see the battle” (verse 28). He accused David of living for pleasure. He simply came to see the battle and experience vicarious entertainment.

David was not motivated by riches or personal peace or power. He lived for the glory of God. David’s speech is in verses 45 to 47. Verse 45 states, “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.” David promised to defeat Goliath. The result would be, “All this assembly 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.”

David took his sling and a stone (about the size of a baseball) and knocked out Goliath. David ran forward, cut off his head and defeated the giant.

What does it mean for us today to live for the glory of God? If we are motivated by the glory of God we will focus upon the Lord Jesus. The Bible points to Christ. The Bible begins, “We need a Messiah” (Genesis 1 to 11). “We cannot conquer our sin problem” (Genesis 1-11). The Bible continues, “The Messiah is coming” (Genesis 12-Malachi 4). “The Messiah has come!” (Matthew 1- Luke 24). “Live this way in light of His coming” (Acts 1-Jude). “Jesus will come again” (Revelation).

Jesus came to die for our sin. He lived a perfect life and died in our place. He suffered the wrath of the Father for our sin. He came to glorify the Father. We must love the Father through His Son Jesus.

Jesus today is building His church. Jesus described the church as His bride (Ephesians 5:25-27, Revelation 19:7-8). Living for God’s glory means being involved in the Lord’s church.

Do we face giants today? Definitely. Our focus today and every day must be the glory of God. We must be men and women after God’s own heart.

Ethan Hansen is a pastor at Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake.