Day 3: Victorious when Weak
of The Heart of God: Through David’s Eyes
Below is Day Three of the study, but there is an introduction to check out which gives context and sets the tone, and previous weeks to look at below. If you would like the full content all in one place, this book is now available for purchase on Amazon. Week 1 - He Longs for Us to Know Who We Are
Day 1: We Are His People
Day 2: Chosen when Humble
Day 3: Victorious when Weak
The Shepherd Boy & The Giant
The battle lines were tense with anticipation. Blood, sweat, and angst drenched the bodies and minds of the soldiers awaiting the next phase of war. Descending from the distant Philistine camp on the other side of the valley was a man who was head and shoulders above the rest. He glistened in the sun, his bronze helmet and armor heavy with intimidation. The massive warrior stood to shout at the ranks of Israel who trembled with fear. Goliath shouted at the Israelites:
“Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” (1 Samuel 17: 8b-10)
David’s older brothers were among those trembling at the words of Goliath, while David, was, once again, tending the sheep back home. Early that same morning, his father sent him to deliver some food to his brothers at the camp. When checking in with his brothers at the front lines, he overheard the repetitive taunts of a giant Philistine mocking God and the Israelites.
The Israelites on the front lines surrounded David, mumbling the many promises of glory and recognition that would be given to any Israelite who was victorious over this colossal man. David was shocked to find the men of Israel trembling and fearful. He was confused at why they were questioning the power of the almighty God they served who had rescued their people from much more than an arrogant warrior.
David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”...…When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.”“Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him.David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”
But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.” ( 1 Samuel 17: 26, 28-37)
Notice his brother’s reaction: Eliab is appalled at his brother’s confidence in what God could accomplish. He knew David was young, small, and not the strongest among them, but David convinced Saul, the king of Israel, to allow him to fight Goliath. After he shared his experience as a shepherd boy and recounted God’s faithfulness, he spoke boldly and directly about God’s character to protect. David was willing to step out in faith despite the lack of confidence others had in him or in God.
Let’s just be realistic for a moment. There is something very understandable about not sending a seemingly-overconfident teenager to the frontlines of war. When you consider he is about to confront an enormous war hero, it is reasonable for there to be some level of concern and hesitation. The Israelites were afraid for good reason: they were in a dangerous circumstance. Even though their feelings make sense, they don’t keep in perspective the incredible power of God.
Saul, the current king of Israel at this time, also had his concerns. David was determined to fight Goliath. He was quick to prove his point and metaphorically dug his heels into the ground. Saul, likely with reluctance, eventually allowed David to fight. He offered David his own royal battle equipment, but David was uncomfortable in the king’s gear. Instead, he got the only supplies he needed: his sling and five smooth stones from a nearby stream.
With King Saul’s permission, and quite a bit of gumption, David marched right up to his gigantic opponent. Goliath was not impressed by the lack of protective gear and weapons. He mocked and then threatened David.
David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:45-47)
When Goliath advanced towards him, David swiftly ran to the battle line, took out a stone, and put the sling to work. It was that first stone that brought the Israelites the victory. The stone sank deep into Goliath’s head, and he fell to the ground and died. Taking the giant’s sword, David beheaded him and delivered the head of Goliath to Jerusalem.
The bravery of David in this passage seems to be most shocking. David was a young man who was “supposed” to be in the fields. Why would anyone think he is strong enough to fight in the war, much less defeat a warrior of incredible proportions?
What was the source of David’s courage to speak up and then to face Goliath?
Did any details surprise you as we revisited this story? (See 1 Samuel 17.)
Explain your point of view: In your opinion, was David qualified to confront Goliath?
Write some thoughts about who you most relate to in the story (consider Saul, the Israelites, and David).
When facing a problem of epic proportions, do you expect God to do the impossible? Why or why not?
An excerpt of The Heart of God: Through David’s Eyes by Jill Ng