1 Samuel 17

CHAPTER 17

David and Goliath (17:1–58)

1–11 In this chapter the writer recounts one of the most famous battles in all of history: the encounter between a young Israelite, David, and a mighty Philistine warrior, Goliath.

The Philistines had assembled for war on one side of a valley, and the Israelite army under Saul had assembled on the other side. Into the valley between the two opposing armies, a Philistine champion three meters tall—over nine feet (verse 4)—had been coming out each day for forty days to challenge any Israelite to individual combat. It was common in ancient times for each opposing side to send forth a champion; in this way just the two champions would fight each other and much bloodshed could be avoided. Whichever champion won, his side would be declared the victor.

It was also believed that the opposing gods of each side were represented by the two champions. Thus the champion who had the strongest gods helping him would be the winner. The conflict, then, was not only between opposing sides but also between the gods of those opposing sides.

Because of the great size of Goliath, no one in Saul’s army dared to face him. Goliath’s armor weighed sixty kilograms and his spear point alone weighed seven kilograms (verses 5–7). Whenever Goliath came out to challenge Israel, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified (verse 11).

Because of their lack of faith, Saul and the Israelites were, in effect, turning their backs on the covenant promises God had made to them (see Exodus 23:22–23; 34:10–11; Deuteronomy 1:29–31; 7:17–24). The Philistines were occupying part of Canaan, and God had promised the Israelites He would drive out the nations living there. God had also told the Israelites not to be afraid; the fact that they were “terrified” was proof that a new leader was needed in Israel. And that leader was about to appear.

12–24 In these verses, the writer describes how Jesse sent his son David to the front lines with twenty liters of grain and ten loaves of bread to give to his brothers who were in the army.⁶⁶ As David was talking with his brothers, Goliath came out as usual and repeated his challenge to Israel. And David saw the fear that gripped the Israelite army (verse 24).

25–27 David overheard some Israelites talking about the rewards Saul had promised to the man who would fight Goliath. But David was not so much thinking of rewards; he was thinking of the disgrace that had come upon the Israelites (verse 26). Had they forgotten that they were soldiers in the armies of the living God? Were they going to let this one Philistine defy them?

28–31 David’s eldest brother Eliab burned with anger when he heard David speaking with the soldiers (verse 28). Eliab’s “anger” was no doubt caused by a combination of jealousy over David’s having been anointed king (1 Samuel 16:13) and shame because of his own fearfulness. David was not intimidated by his brother and continued to speak boldly concerning Goliath. David’s boldness came to Saul’s attention and Saul sent for him (verse 31).

32–37 David immediately offered to fight Goliath. David’s confidence did not rest on his own abilities but on the power of the living God (verse 36). When Saul tried to dissuade him, David said that already God had delivered him from a lion and a bear, and he had no doubt that God would deliver him from Goliath too! (verse 37). Saul told David to go and fight the Philistine, and he added, “. . . the LORD be with you.” The Lord was already with David (1 Samuel 16:13,18); the tragic thing was that the Lord was no longer with Saul (1 Samuel 16:14; 18:12).

38–44 Saul dressed David in his own armor, but David couldn’t use it. The writer isn’t saying here that arms are not useful in general; they simply weren’t useful in this case. David’s success was going to depend on God alone—together with a stone and a slingshot.

When Goliath saw what kind of “warrior” Israel had sent out to fight him, he was insulted. He informed David that he would feed his flesh to the birds and beasts (verses 43–44).

45–47 David then answered Goliath in some of the most powerful words in the Old Testament. David told the Philistine that he had come to fight him in the name of the LORD Almighty (verse 45)—that is, as a representative of God Himself. As God’s representative, David would be fighting on God’s behalf, and therefore God would give him the victory. Then everyone in the whole world would know that Israel’s God was supreme over all other gods. And God didn’t need sword or spear to save Israel; He could get the same results using a stone and a slingshot.⁶⁷

Indeed, God could have defeated Goliath without any human help at all. But usually God prefers to use human instruments, and we should be thankful for that. What a privilege it is to be an instrument of God!

48–54 In these verses the writer describes David’s marvelous victory over Goliath⁶⁸ and the flight of the entire Philistine army. The Israelites pursued them all the way back to two of their main cities, Gath and Ekron (verse 52). They then plundered the Philistine camp; David kept for himself Goliath’s weapons, but he took Goliath’s head to Jerusalem (verses 53–54). Jerusalem was occupied by Jebusites at the time; perhaps David was sending a signal to them that the fate of Goliath could befall them as well.

55–58 As David was going out to fight Goliath, Saul asked Abner, his army commander, who David’s father was. Saul knew who David was, but he had forgotten the name of his father. Since Saul had promised to give one of his daughters in marriage to the man who defeated Goliath (verse 25), he naturally needed to know something about David’s family background.

Before we leave this chapter, let us reflect on its significance for us, the modern reader. The encounter between David and Goliath is not some ancient event that has no relevance to us today. Many of us, at some point in our lives, meet up with a “Goliath”—a seemingly insurmountable obstacle. If we ourselves are in God’s will, and if the obstacle is an “uncircumcised Philistine”(verse26)—thatis, someone or some thing clearly opposed to God’s will—then, like David, we need to step out, trusting in God, and overcome the obstacle. If we are in God’s will and the “obstacle” is in opposition to God’s will, then ultimately we cannot fail.⁶⁹