1 Samuel 17:31-40
31 When the words that David spoke were heard, they informed Saul, and he sent for him.
32 And David said to Saul, “May no one’s heart fail on account of him; your servant will go and fight this Philistine!”
33 But Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight him; for you are only a youth, while he has been a warrior since his youth.”
34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a sheep from the flock,
35 I went out after it and attacked it, and rescued the sheep from its mouth; and when it rose up against me, I grabbed it by its mane and struck it and killed it.
36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has defied the armies of the living God.”
37 And David said, “The Lord who saved me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear, He will save me from the hand of this Philistine.” So Saul said to David, “Go, and may the Lord be with you.”
38 Then Saul clothed David with his military attire and put a bronze helmet on his head, and outfitted him with armor.
39 And David strapped on his sword over his military attire and struggled at walking, for he had not trained with the armor. So David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, because I have not trained with them.” And David took them off.
40 Then he took his staff in his hand and chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the shepherd’s bag which he had, that is, in his shepherd’s pouch, and his sling was in his hand; and he approached the Philistine.
David’s Faith
Saul underestimates David
David’s words reached Saul, and he was summoned. (1) David expressed his intention to fight Goliath as the champion warrior. It was astonishing that a young man, who had been just a shepherd until the day before, showed more courage than anyone else in the entire Israelite army. God’s works are often carried out through such seemingly insignificant vessels. (2) However, Saul underestimated David. He hesitated to accept his offer because, while David was a young man with no experience of battle, Goliath was a veteran warrior. Both Eliab, the oldest brother, and King Saul were unaware of David’s experiences fighting and overcoming lions and bears to protect his flock. (3) In response, David says that though his previous battles were fought for himself and his sheep, he had emerged victorious. This time, the battle is against Goliath, who “defied the armies of the living God,” and God will surely help him in this fight. When we are engaged in the Lord’s battle, there is nothing to fear. Indeed, David is right in what he says.
Saul’s armor
Convinces, Saul agrees to send David as the champion warrior to the battlefield. (1) Before that, Saul offers David his own armor, helmet, and sword. However, David, not accustomed to such gears, decides to take them off and fight with his own weapons. In this is a lesson for us: you cannot show your true capabilities with borrowed equipment. (2) The weapons David chose were that of a shepherd – a staff and a sling. He went down to a stream, picked up five smooth stones, and confronted Goliath with these. Here lies another lesson for us: even if they are the most modest, having your own weapons is most effective. (3) The more modest the weapons, the more God’s name is glorified in victory. Additionally, the humiliation of the Philistines becomes greater. What will you learn from David’s strategy? For the glory of the Lord’s name, let’s take up your own weapons and fight with faith. The more modest our weapons, and the more modest we are ourselves, the more God’s name is exalted in victory. Hallelujah!
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, though I am but a pebble on the riverbank, I entrust my life into Your hands. Please use me for Your glory. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.