May 23, 2025 • 48 mins
Chapter 06 of Heroes in the Bible: David with Dr. Tony Evans is inspired by 1 Samuel 17.
David & Goliath - An unexpected hero faces off against an insurmountable foe. In just a few moments of heated battle, David & Goliath face each other in a battle that will alter history forever.
Today's opening prayer is inspired by Matthew 6:33, But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.
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Learn more about Dr. Tony Evans at https://tonyevans.org/
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evans, your host for Heroes in
the Bible. If you've enjoyed this podcast so far, please
share it with your family and friends and help us
spread God's word. Welcome to the epic Adventure of David,
a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,
and murder. While most people know of David the Myth,
(00:23):
few people know about David the Man. I'm glad you're
here with me. As we mind the depths of this
renowned tale, in this episode, we encounter the famous story
of David and Goliath. This story has been told in
thousands of different ways, using thousands of different mediums. It
is a tale embedded in our culture, the underdog defying
(00:43):
all odds and the little guys standing up against the bully.
But make no mistake, the epic of David and Goliath
is not about you and me. We are not David,
and our problems are not Goliath. No, this legend points
forward to an even greater battle of good and evil.
The story of David bravely vanquishing the harbinger of death
(01:05):
Goliath is meant to be an image of something even
more significant. In this episode, allow yourself to be caught
up in the majesty of David's story, be inspired by
his bravery, and be encourriaged by his heart for God.
But remember that David is not the ultimate hero of
this tale. He is a shadow of greater things to come,
(01:26):
and a con do it for the deliverance of God.
May we all be inspired by this story to look
to God the same way David looks to God and
trust in his final victory over death. Our episode begins
with a prelude, a story in the future of God's
greatest hero. This prelude reminds us that there is a
greater giant than Goliath and a greater hero than David.
(01:49):
Let's not wait any longer. It's time for Episode six.
David and Goliath.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
Prelude to Chapter six. The thundering skies bellowed like war drums.
Death itself was raging like a wild animal. Its claws
were sinking deeper into the neck of God's chosen hero.
Jesus knew his hour had come. It was time for
the full weight of God's wrath to be poured out
onto him. Every sin, past, present, and future required punishment.
(02:28):
So Jesus looked up to heaven, and the mighty judgment
of Yahweh struck down like a bolt of lightning. In
that very moment, the entire sins of humanity were released
onto Jesus, He who knew no sin, became sin. Also
mankind could be reconciled to God once again. He wore
the dirtiness of humanity so they might wear his righteousness.
(02:52):
Jesus greened to the heavens and cried.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
Out, Eli, Eli, leave us about to me.
Speaker 4 (03:00):
Which means, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Speaker 2 (03:07):
People laughed at his christ, but they did not see
the cosmic shift taking place before them. Jesus, who had
been connected with the Father and Spirit since before time
was created, was now separated from them. Jesus endured separation
from God so that no person would ever have to again.
It had been done. The weight of mankind sins were
(03:30):
thrust on his shoulders. Now the only thing left to
do was bury them in the grave. To do that,
Jesus had to die. He looked down at the people below.
His eyes were darkened and nearly lifeless.
Speaker 5 (03:43):
I am thirsty.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Jesus whispered. The soldier shrug and took a sponge from
the latrines. They would use sour wine to sanitize themselves,
so they took the sponge filled with excrement and placed
it on his lips. Jesus tasted the filth of humanity,
then looked to the heavens. He lifted his legs and
arms to take one final breath. The lightning struck beside him.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
Causing the soldiers to fall back.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
Then, with the booming voice of the Almighty Jesus, yell,
it is finished, and he bowed his head and gave
up his spirit. Just as he had spoken, the Good
Shepherd laid down his life for his sheep. God's chosen
hero had vanquished the enemy. The fear and death had
(04:31):
been conquered by the loving yet powerful passion of the
Good Shepherd. Chapter six, David and Goliath.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
Battle.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Saul craved it, the sound of iron and bronze clashing
and clanging, the smell of campfire intermixed with blood and sweat.
More than anything, Saul craved the glory. He craved the
sounds of his people cheering and singing his praises, long
for the moment shortly after victory, lifting his arms and
(05:03):
basking in the admiration of his men. Saul imagined these
things as he led his men up the hills of Sukka.
The Israelite army gathered and encamped on a mountain overlooking
the valley of Ela. On the other side of the
valley and camped on a mountain standing opposite them were
the Philistines. There, clamoring echoed across the canyons. Saul stood
(05:26):
tall and proud on the other side of the valley
in front of his men. His bright and polished armor
gleamed in the sun. His large sword was strapped securely
to his side. The hilt of his sword, much like
his armor, was interlaced with gold and fine jewels, a
statement of Saul's importance and sense of worth. Saul looked
(05:47):
down at the battlefield. The grassy and flat valley was
surrounded by large stones and cracks in the ground. The
mountains surrounding the valley had uneven footing it would be
a treacherous descent for both armies. He looked up to
see the horde of Philistines sway back and forth on
the other side. The slow beat of drums began to play,
(06:07):
echoing across the valley. The drums were haunting there, swaying
and chance quickened with the beats of drums. They hissed
and sneered at the Israelites. Their sways became frantic and animalistic.
Jonathan was beside his father, growing nervous at the strange confidence.
Speaker 3 (06:25):
Of the army.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Then, like the Red Seas once did many years ago,
the Philistine horde parted in two. They crouched and bowed
to their knees, laughing uncontrollably. The drum ceased, but the
ground was still shaking. Saul could feel the quaking of
the earth on his feet. Something wasn't right. The men
(06:48):
of Israel looked, and from the crowd of Philistines emerged
an inhumanlike creature. He had the frame of a man,
but his size was like the.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
Beasts of gold.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
He cast a shadow over the Philistine soldiers below as
he marched forward. His legs were as wide as tree trunks.
He wore a coat of mail draped over his monstrous chest.
Saul stepped back in terror. His arms were dense with muscle,
holding a spear of pure iron. The monster's name was Goliath.
(07:20):
His name was being chanted across the valley reverberating into
the ear of Saul. There will be no glory in
fighting that man, Saul thought to himself.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
His hands would crush my skull.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
In an instant, Goliath paced up and down the ranks
of his men, roaring like a lion. The Philistines cheered
and banged their swords against their shields. Goliath unsheathed his
sword and swung it against a tree hanging beside the cliff,
and the trees splintered into a thousand pieces and tumbled
down into the valley. Goliath laughed and stretched his arms
(07:54):
out to the Israelites.
Speaker 4 (07:55):
Ha ha, ha ha, Come now, jeer, why shed any
more blood than we have to?
Speaker 3 (08:04):
Am I not a Philistine? Are you not? All servants
of Saul? Let us settle this battle?
Speaker 2 (08:11):
King Saul gont He feared what his next words would be.
Even from one hundred yards away, Goliath could smell Saul's fear.
It wafted over to him like the smoke from freshly
cooked meat. He soaked it in, enjoying every moment. The
giant smiled with all his teeth. He lifted his spear
(08:32):
and pointed it to Saul.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
Choose a man, king of Israel? Let him come down
and battle me. If he is able to kill me,
the Philistines will be your servants.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
The Giant let down his spear and looked back at
the soldiers.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
The Philistines laughed.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
Their mocking cackles filled the air like a bad smell.
Then there was silence. Goliath looked over at Saul, with
nostrils flaring. The low and rumbling voice the giant spoke seriously, saying, but.
Speaker 4 (09:04):
If I prevail against your man, when I tear every
limb from his body, feasting on his flesh, then you,
King Saul, and all your people will be enslaved to
us for generations to come.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
The Giant's challenge sent shivers down Saul's spine. The king
composed himself. Judging by the size of both armies, he
knew that they were outmatched. If they sent any more
soldiers down into the valley, they would surely succumb to
the Philistines. However, there was no man in his ranks
able to take on the giant. The offer from Goliath
(09:44):
was a mockery. The Philistines knew that they would win
either way. Sending Goliath was nothing more than a taunt.
Saul had always stood ahead above every man he fought,
he rarely feared the swing of another man's sword. However,
the creature standing before him was no man. He was
(10:05):
a beast from ancient days. He had the frame of
monsters told in children's tales. He was a harbinger of
death and a symbol of Saul's inevitable demise as king.
Before Saul could open up his mouth, Goliath's voice thundered
again across the valley.
Speaker 4 (10:22):
I defy you, Saul. I spit in the face of
your people, your nation, and your God. If you do
not have a man brave enough to fight, prove that
you are not a colin and fight me yourself.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
Saul was motionless.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
His men looked at him, waiting for a response. Clouds
covered the sun above, removing the gleam from Saul's armor.
Never before had Saul felt so helpless. This would be
a good moment to pray. However, he knew nobody would listen.
God had turned his face from him. Three days Goliath
(11:01):
walked down into the valley, goading salt to fight him.
For forty days, Saul and the people of Israel were silent.
Speaker 3 (11:13):
Did you pack the bread?
Speaker 2 (11:14):
Jesse asked David. Yes, Father, David said, while strapping the
rest of the supplies to his donkey.
Speaker 4 (11:20):
What about the extra wine skins on the bandages.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
Jesse continued in a sharp tone.
Speaker 5 (11:25):
I've packed both father, Eliab Abitadab and Shama will have
everything they need.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
David replied respectfully. Jesse grunted and walked off. Since David
became Saul's armor bear and musician, he had been making
his way to and from the palace. He still had
sheep to tend to. Even though he was now a
servant of the king. David packed his donkey filled with
supplies to bring to his brothers. They had marched with
Saul to Sukka to battle the Philistines. His father beamed
(11:56):
with fatherly pride that his three eldest sons had joined
the ranks of the king's arm A part of David
longed for his father to look at him with the
same approval and admiration. However, since being in the courts
of Saul, he felt his need for fatherly attention less
and less. Saul was kind to David and seemed to
enjoy his presence. Not only that, but David had grown
(12:18):
close to his son Jonathan. During his time in the palace.
Jonathan gave him the brotherly affection he lacked from his
own brothers. David led his donkey towards Sukkah, anxious to
see how Israel was faring against the Philistines. He had
heard Saul speaking with his generals about being outnumbered. Although
he was Saul's armor bear, it was more a title
(12:39):
than an actual job. The king would never allow a
child like him to march with him into battle. He
had not yet seen the glory of war. He did
not have the privilege of marching with Saul or carrying
his own sword to defend Israel. He was forced to
remain with the sheep and carry supplies to his brothers.
David reached Sukka anxious to see what had come on
(13:00):
the battle. He had a boyish excitement for war, heroism
and bravery. In him was a warrior spirit that desperately
desired to join in arms with his countryman. Instead, David
was unloading a sack filled with cheese and bread for
his brothers and their commander. The low status David held
in his family disappointed him at times, but David was
(13:21):
resolved in his own identity before God. He did not
strive to be someone he wasn't. Rather, with every step
he sought to honor the Lord in the best way
he could. If that meant delivering supplies to his haughty
older brothers, then so be it. David cared not how
he was used by God to serve. He only cared
(13:41):
that what he did pleased the heart of his Lord.
As David entered camp, he could hear the shouts of
war rumbling near the valley. Giddy with excitement, David tied
up the donkey and ran towards the hill. Overlooking the battlefield.
He was surprised to see no battle at all. Rather,
the armies of the Israelites and Philistines posturing at one
(14:02):
another from either side of the valley. Each army clamored
at the other, banging their swords on the shields and
hurling insults. It was a confusing sight to David. The
shepherd boy waded through the crowds in search of his brothers.
Speaker 5 (14:16):
The little lamb is here.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
A voice chided from the distance. David paused and looked
out at his feet. He closed his eyes and sighed
in irritation. Out of all the shouting and clamoring of soldiers.
Shama's mocking voice was loud and clear. David turned around
to see Shama and Abinadab walking over. They wore their
thick armor with bronze buckles to hold the straps, however,
(14:41):
they hung loosely on their chests. The shaft of their
spears were made of wood with iron tips of the end,
and David noticed how peculiarly dull the tips of their
spears were. It was almost as if they had not
sharpened them in days.
Speaker 5 (14:55):
Aren't they about to march into battle?
Speaker 3 (14:58):
David thought to himself.
Speaker 5 (15:00):
Why not sharpen your spears and tighten your armor.
Speaker 2 (15:03):
Shama took David's head under his arm and ruffled his
light curly hair.
Speaker 5 (15:07):
The runt of the litters here to watch.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
He teased.
Speaker 2 (15:10):
Shama and Abinadab laughed at David's expense. Their teasing was
a regular part of David's childhood. He expected nothing less
from them. Clearly, they hadn't been to battle even once
since marching up to Sukkah with Saul. David was curious
as to why that was. He released himself from his
brother's grip and walked towards the front of the crowd.
(15:32):
His brothers were irked by his indifference towards their presence.
Speaker 5 (15:35):
Where are you off to? Don't bother the other soldiers?
Speaker 3 (15:38):
Runt, they yelled.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
David ignored them. As he made his way.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
To the front.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
He found a high vantage point on a stone overlooking
the battlefield. David peered forward, looking upon the Philistine horde
chanting opposite them. They banged their drums and swayed back
and forth. Their laughs were like the hissing of a
brute of vipers. The evil in their eyes sent chills
down David's spine.
Speaker 5 (16:03):
What are they chanting for?
Speaker 2 (16:05):
David thought? He scanned the entire Philistine side, as the
Philistines had every day since meeting the Israelites. The army
parted him two to make way for their champion. The
beast like man covered in bronze mail, marched forward, making
the ground quake beneath him. The sword strapped to the
side of his belt was as long as David's torso
(16:28):
every step seemed to hold the weight of a mountain.
As he marched forward to the edge of the canyon,
the giant raised his spear high above his head, then
slammed the end of it into the ground in front
of him. Rocks cracked on the edge and fell into
the valley below. The giant laughed and leaned forward towards
the Israelite army. Ah, he cried. David's heart verberated in
(16:52):
his chest at the giant's roar.
Speaker 4 (16:53):
Oh, among you dogs will come and.
Speaker 3 (16:56):
Fight me, Goliath yelled.
Speaker 4 (16:59):
I've waited, and you cowards have yet to send a challenger.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
He pointed to Spirit Saul, just as he did every day.
Speaker 4 (17:07):
As your god as weak as your spine, King Saul,
aren't you the brave Israelites that conquered Pharaoh? I spits
at your ancestors and your god workless cowards.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
David's muscles tightened and his brow furrowed. He felt the
same fire in his bones from the night he saw
the lion take his lamb. David looked to his left.
King Saul was standing in front of the soldiers. He
was a sight to behold, his broad chest puffed out
towards the Philistines. As he stood atop his horse. The
light beamed off his golden armor. The hilt of his
(17:46):
sword was engraved with Hebrew battle poetry. However, the king
was motionless, speechless, he had nothing to say to the Philistine.
For weeks, Saul had tried to strategize a way to
gain an edge over the enemy. However, they outnumbered them greatly,
and the best way to defeat them was to accept
(18:06):
Goliath's offer. However, no one moved. The king, who was
once lauded for his bravery, was paralyzed by fear and
in action. The men began to disperse back to their tents.
Once again, their posturing was fruitless. No amount of battle
cries were going to make the Philistines flinch. They knew
(18:27):
it was only a matter of time before Israel lost
all hope. That is when they would strike. There is
no weapon greater than fear, and the Philistines wielded it
like no one else. David slid down the stone and
stopped a few of the men marching back.
Speaker 5 (18:45):
Can somebody please tell me what is going on?
Speaker 3 (18:48):
He asked.
Speaker 6 (18:49):
You haven't heard One of the soldiers asked, this giant
has come to defy Israel. The king has promised riches
and his daughter's hand in marriage to whoever defeats him,
and no.
Speaker 5 (18:59):
One has come up against him.
Speaker 3 (19:01):
David asked, not one.
Speaker 5 (19:04):
You've seen the size of his hands they could grip
a man's skull like a loaf of bread. I will
not pursue him, and I can attest that no one
here will either, not even the King.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
David's fist tightened and his jaw clenched.
Speaker 5 (19:19):
He has mocked our God.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
He said under his breath. The soldiers nodded.
Speaker 3 (19:25):
He has.
Speaker 5 (19:27):
However, none of us wished to make a greater mockery
of him by jeopardizing our army. Under the rules of
the challenge, if he prevails, the entire nation will be
made philistine slaves. Who among us wants to be responsible
for dying at the hands of Goliath and allowing him
to enslave all our people?
Speaker 2 (19:49):
The man made a valid point. David pondered the question.
Bravery was not enough to march against Goliath. If someone
went to fight him and they died, steins by right
would be able to enslave the survivors. Whoever marched up
against the giant didn't just need a warrior's heart. He
needed to be sure he would win. David was lost
(20:11):
in thought for a moment. Then a firm grip grabbed
him by the shoulder and turned him around. It was
Eliab his oldest brother. He grabbed David and shook him.
Speaker 7 (20:21):
What are you doing here? He scolded, Have you left
the sheep to wander around and die in the wilderness?
Speaker 5 (20:27):
Go home.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
Eliab shoved David to the ground. David got back up
immediately and the lungs at his brother's shoving him back.
Eliab caught him by the arm and threw him to
the ground again. David got back up, but Aliah raised
a finger and yelled.
Speaker 7 (20:43):
I know why you're here, baby brother. You have come
here to see the battle. You just couldn't help yourself,
could you. We're all here ready to die, and you
seek to wash the battle like a sport.
Speaker 5 (20:54):
Go home.
Speaker 7 (20:55):
There is no place for you here.
Speaker 2 (20:58):
David paused and looked at his older He had all
the looks of a hero, but on the inside he
was no greater than the giant on the other side
of the valley. He used his size and power to
intimidate and taunt. David looked back towards the Philistine army
and clenched his fist. His brother continued to chide him,
(21:18):
but he did not listen. With his back turned to
a Leib, he sighed and said.
Speaker 5 (21:25):
You and I both know I have done nothing.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
David turned his head, his eyes burned with holy fire.
Eliab stepped back, unable to discern what David would do next.
The shepherd left his brother and marched towards Saul's tent.
Saul paced back and forth in his tent. The king's
tent was wide and tall enough to host his generals
(21:50):
and the battalion commanders. Jonathan was also an attendant. Standing
beside his father, they could all sense a weariness from
the king. His eyes were heavy and deep and anxious thought.
He leaned over the side of his throne and sighed.
Speaker 6 (22:07):
This giant has made a mockery of us, and yet
there is nothing we can do about it. Saul whispered,
I have made the reward for his head great, yet
no one has mustered up the courage to go out
and fight him.
Speaker 3 (22:24):
We have run out of time, my king. One of
his commanders said.
Speaker 6 (22:28):
If we wait any longer to accept his challenge, they
will just march against us in the night.
Speaker 3 (22:34):
We cannot I know what they are capable of.
Speaker 2 (22:37):
Saw Snap throwing his cup against the beams of the tent.
Speaker 6 (22:40):
I have marched against these demons for years, and yet
they multiply like rodents in the city streets. What am
I to do?
Speaker 5 (22:49):
Am I to send out men into battle? With that
giant casting a shadow over them? They will run in
with weak knees and retreat At the first sign.
Speaker 2 (22:59):
Of trouble, Saul sat down and rubbed his head. He
breathed in deeply and composed himself. Saul lifted his hand apologetically.
Speaker 6 (23:08):
We are at an impasse. Are men without hope? They
are without something to inspire them to battle.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
The king trailed off into thought. He stared at the
fire burning in the center of the tent. He recalled
the feigned memory of simpler times when he sat by
the fire with Samuel and spoke about his new kingdom.
He poked the dying embers. We need some sort of spark,
Saul whispered to himself. All the men in the tent
(23:38):
were silent as they watched Saul brood over the fire. Then,
abruptly breaking the silence, David burst through the tent. Saul
looked up and smiled, Ah, David, I am glad you
are here. We could all use some music to calm
our souls. At the moment, David ignored Saul's request and
(23:59):
instead to the floor. He beat his fist against his
chest and said.
Speaker 5 (24:04):
My King, let no man's heart lose hope because of
the giant on the other side of the valley. I
will go and fight the philistine.
Speaker 2 (24:14):
Saul and the others in his tent held back chuckles.
The king leaned down and helped David up on his feet,
brushing the dust off his clothes. Saul shook his head
and said, surely you are filled with fire, young David.
But what sort of king would I be to let
a boy go up against a giant. You are young,
(24:35):
and that giant has been killing warriors since he was
your age. David stepped back and bowed his head.
Speaker 5 (24:42):
My King, are you familiar with the roll of a shepherd.
Speaker 2 (24:46):
He asked calmly. Saul scratched his head.
Speaker 6 (24:49):
Of course, my father had a few flocks of his own.
You tend to the sheep, leading them to the best
grass and water.
Speaker 3 (24:58):
David shook his head.
Speaker 5 (25:00):
That may be so, but the roll of the shepherd
is first and foremost to protect the sheep at all costs.
When there came a lion or a bear to take
one of my lambs, I did not hesitate to attack it.
I have run for miles and climbed mountains to pursue
(25:21):
the beasts that take my sheep. When a lion once
took my lamp, I pursued it and rescued the lamp
straight from its jaws. I struck it down, because a
good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
The rest of the men in the room were stirring uncomfortably.
The passion in David's voice was abrasive. They did not
like a young nobody like David having such a tone
in front of the king. He pointed back towards the valley.
He gave a slight grin. His eyes were gleaming with
intensity and honor.
Speaker 5 (25:55):
This philistine is no greater than that lion. He comes
in and threatens God's flock. He roars and bears his
teeth against us. He has defied the armies of God
and made a mockery of him. I will strike down
this giant with the same power by which I struck
down the lion. By the might of God himself, the
(26:18):
Lord who delivered me from the paw of the predator,
will deliver me from the hand of this philistine.
Speaker 2 (26:25):
Saul's heart beat swiftly listening to David speak in his
voice was the very passion of God. It had been
a long time since Saul came in contact with the
spirit of God. He had longed for his presence and
his anointing once again, coming through the voice of this
small shepherd boy, the very courageous spirit of God was
(26:47):
bursting forth like a mighty tempest. Saul stood up and smiled,
very well, go and the.
Speaker 3 (26:56):
Lord be with you.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
The officers in the room gassed that Saul's work words.
He had just commissioned a boy no older than sixteen
to march against the greatest warrior the world had ever seen.
Saul held David by the shoulders and.
Speaker 6 (27:11):
Smiled, I can feel your fire, David, but you will
need help. If you're going to stand against a giant,
you will need the finest armor and weaponry Israel has
to offer.
Speaker 2 (27:25):
Saul took his armor that was resting on the side
of his throne and draped it over David's body. He
put a helmet of bronze on his head and draped
a coat of mail over him. He strapped his sword
over his shoulder and tightened his belt to keep the
armor together. The firelight bounced off of the golden armor.
David waddled in place. The armor was so heavy that
(27:46):
he was barely able to move. For all its splendor,
the armor was more of a hindrance than a defense.
Saul's sword was beautifully crafted and elegant, but it was
heavy with jewels and gold. It had the appearance of glory,
but ultimately it fell short of being truly effective. David
took the helmet off and slipped out of the armor,
(28:07):
placing the sword in Saul's hand. David bowed his head
and said.
Speaker 5 (28:11):
My king, your armor is splendid. However I have not
tested it, nor do I see it helping me. For
all its beauty, I fear it is more of a
hindrance than a defense.
Speaker 3 (28:25):
Do not be foolish, boy. You need a real weapon.
You need real armor, Saul scolded.
Speaker 2 (28:33):
David gripped his staff and secured his sling tightly to
his belt.
Speaker 5 (28:37):
These will be my weapons, he said. God has done
far more with far less.
Speaker 2 (28:44):
The shepherd boy smiled and left the tent without another word.
Saul was speechless. He ran his fingers through the bright
golden armor. For all the king's glamor and appearance of strength.
It seems that he had just been taught a lesson
from a child. David quietly descended down the side of
the canyon towards the trees. The forest was silent and serene,
(29:07):
hosting the songs of birds and a babbling brook. David
sat near the brook and breathed in deeply. He closed
his eyes, feeling the slight breeze caress his cheek. The
sun above was scattered from the leaves above. David dipped
his hands in the water and took a sip. He
ran the cold water over his neck and looked up.
Speaker 3 (29:27):
You are a shepherd, he sent to God.
Speaker 5 (29:30):
Even though I walk into the valley of Death, I
will fear no evil.
Speaker 3 (29:37):
You are with me.
Speaker 2 (29:38):
The wind rustled the leaves above. The humming sound of
swaying trees was a comforting response. David reached down into
the brook and retrieved five smooth stones the size of
his palm. He meticulously chose each of them and placed
them in his leather pouch. He stood to his feet
and stretched his arms with his shepherd's staff. Then, with
(29:59):
the silen and courage of a warrior, David marched towards
the valley to meet Goliath. The Philistine descended into the valley,
as he had done every day. He roared challenges to
the israel ex above. He clanged his spear against his shield,
making it echo across the valley.
Speaker 4 (30:18):
Who shall fight me, he yelled, Who shall come and
slay me?
Speaker 3 (30:23):
He taunted.
Speaker 2 (30:25):
The giant had grown angry that so much time had
passed since he first made the challenge. He was vexed
by their cowardice. He was angry, he was thirsty for blood.
Saul stood over the cliffs with the other men, watching
the giant march into the center of the valley. He
stretched out his arms and raised his voice to Saul.
Speaker 4 (30:44):
This is the final chance to send a champion, Saul.
Let the dogs of Israel send a man to fight me,
or we will lay waste to your camps and your cities.
Speaker 2 (30:57):
The men of Israel stirred and murmured. I'll look to
their king to see if he would step forward. However,
Saul remained still and silent, looking at the battleground below.
The giant smiled and banged his ear against his shield.
Speaker 3 (31:10):
Again. Cowards, all of you are cowards.
Speaker 4 (31:15):
You have shamed your ancestors this day to survive the
slavery of Egypt, all to crumble by our hand, pathetic worms.
Speaker 2 (31:27):
As Goliath was taunting the Israelites, he heard them all
gasp and turned to the left of the canyons. Out
from the stones, to Goliath's right, the shepherd boy emerged.
His light curls were held back, with the bandana revealing
his eyes. They were lit with the fiery passion of
God himself. He marched towards the giant with intention. Every
(31:49):
step was purposeful and filled with confidence. As he stepped
out of the shadows into the light of day, he
stopped twenty yards in front of Goliath and added as
shepherd's staff firmly into the ground. The Giant had a challenger,
and Israel had its champion. Golias beastly grin turned into
a visceral snarl.
Speaker 3 (32:10):
He spat at David and roared at him.
Speaker 4 (32:12):
Have I a dog that you come to me with twigs?
Of all the mighty men of Israel they send you
to fight me?
Speaker 3 (32:22):
I am insulted.
Speaker 4 (32:24):
I can break this boy between my fingers.
Speaker 2 (32:28):
The wind whistled through the valley. David was immovable and resolute.
His gaze was locked onto the giant. He opened not
his mouth. He simply looked forward at the foe ahead,
calculating his next mood. Goliath was urged by David's silence.
He wailed curses into the air, banging his fists against
(32:49):
his chest, and a silvernafe.
Speaker 4 (32:51):
You and your god will crumble beneath my feet. Come
to me, boy, I will give you a flash to
the birds and beasts to feast on. There will be
no memory of you. I will make it so there
is no glory in your death.
Speaker 2 (33:12):
David paid close attention to the wind shifting through the valley.
He shot out from the side of the canyon and
whistled from his left to his right. He had to
be sure about the wind. David threw his staff at
the giant's feet and stretched out his arms.
Speaker 5 (33:26):
You come to me adorned with glimmering armor. Your sword
is large and your spear is heavy.
Speaker 3 (33:33):
David's gaze was fearsome.
Speaker 2 (33:35):
He beckoned the giant and said, I come.
Speaker 5 (33:38):
To you in the name of the Lord of Hosts,
the God of the Armies of Israel, the liberator of slaves,
and creator of the stars. It is he who is
your challenger, Giant. Not I so Come, come at me
with all the strength in your bones. For I declare
this day that no man, no matter how large, is
(34:01):
any match for the creator of the Sun and stars.
This day it will be your head that rolls off
your shoulders, to be eaten by the beasts and the birds.
Speaker 3 (34:13):
All the world will.
Speaker 5 (34:14):
Know that there is a god in Israel. All will
know that he needs no sword or spear. The battle
is his, the outcome is final. So come come to me, Giant,
Do your worst, and I shall do mine.
Speaker 2 (34:34):
Goliath, anger is kindled awarded by the flight, he raged
and lunched towards the shepherd with all his might. The
earth quaked beneath him. David could feel the ground shift
and shake with every leap. The giant was surprisingly quick
lay Mian Goliath closed the gap between him and his prey. However,
(34:54):
David was prepared, and as the giant began as pursuit,
David took us a single step back and retrieved his
sling in a single stone from his pouch. He placed
the stone in the sling and began to swing it
behind him. He bent his knees and drew a deep breath.
For a single moment, time itself stood still. The wind
(35:17):
ceased its blowing, and all David could hear was his
own feeling. He watched the giant run at the same
pace of his own arm people. He had one shot
at the giant, only one. He pivoted his foot back,
bent his front knee, and prepared for the first strike.
If the giant attacked first, it was over. He must
(35:40):
be the first one to act. The boy burst forward
with a sling still swinging behind him. Elia took the
bait and pounced forward with his sword high in the air.
The shepherd released the sling, sending the stone whistling.
Speaker 3 (35:53):
Through the air.
Speaker 2 (35:54):
The stone landed directly into the beast's head, cracking it instantly.
The giant's momentum was halted as it crumbled to the ground.
The entire earth shook beneath him. The boy took action, immediately,
pouncing on the giant fearlessly. He took the giant's sword
in his hands and raised it high in the air.
(36:15):
The giant laid there with his back on the ground,
looking up at the shepherd boy. The final thing his
eyes beheld on earth was the swing of God's mighty hero.
The young shepherd roared as he swung the sword down,
beheading the giant. David's roars echoed through the valley. His
(36:36):
cries of victory were not like any other warriors. It
was a passionate and victorious song given unto the Lord.
Speaker 3 (36:44):
Its sound was.
Speaker 2 (36:45):
Powerful and straight from the heart of God. The men
of Israel were in shown as they watched the boy
that Belith's head into the air. God's chosen hero had
vanquished the enemy. The very embodiment of fear and death
had been conquered by the loving, yet powerful passion of
(37:05):
a shepherd. The Israelite army cried out in victory and
descended down the canyon towards the Philistines. Emboldened by David,
they ran towards the enemy. The Philistines ran as the
children of Israel stormed their camp. David picked up another
sword and began to fight alongside them. Saul also entered
(37:26):
the battlefield with renewed fire in his bones. He rode
into the enemy lines atop his horse. The king swung
his sword with fury and confidence. The entire army of
Israel did not consider for a moment that they were outnumbered.
They had just beheld a small shepherd boy demonstrating the
power of God against a fierce warrior. Nothing was impossible
(37:49):
for them, because nothing was impossible for God. A lieb
of Beinadab and Shama ran and battled with passion as well.
They struck together, gaining an advantage over several Philistine soldiers.
When they began to feel outmatched, David joined them. The
brothers watched as the runt of the litter wielded a
(38:11):
blade with grace and power. He was like a musician,
using rhythm and cadence with each swing and parry. He
was a sight to behold, and he restored hope to
every soldier. Saul watched David from a distance. It was
unlike anything he had ever seen. Who is that warrior?
The king thought to himself. It cannot be the boy
(38:33):
who played the harp in my halls. It was the
forgotten son of Jesse, the Bethelmite was the hero of Israel.
God's chosen shepherd had protected the flock and saved them
from the jaws of the lion.
Speaker 1 (38:52):
God's chosen hero has vanquished the enemy. The fear and
death has been conquered by the loving yet powerful passion
of the good Shepherd. This was the final line in
the prelude to this episode. It can be used to
describe David's victory against Goliath, but we know by now
there was something even greater that was accomplished on the
(39:12):
Cross by Jesus. We are supposed to look at the
fight of David and Goliath as a picture of Christ's
triumph over sin and death. Jesus is David, born in
Bethlehem and ridiculed by his own brothers. Goliath is sin,
paralyzing even the strongest men. Looking at it this way
puts the whole story in a different perspective. This doesn't
(39:34):
mean we can't relate to David. As we follow his
life even more, we will find that we have much
in common with him. But this story in particular stands
above the rest. It is meant to give us a
glimpse into the heart of Heaven itself. The entire Bible
leading up to this point has been pointing to the Cross,
but it hadn't yet had a powerful image like David
(39:56):
versus Goliath. The young Shepherd's bravery, trust and passion expresses
the heart Jesus had when he marched up the mountain
for you and I. This episode began with Saul's craving
for conquests. The way he thinks about his own glory
is similar to how an attic thinks about their next fix.
With the absence of God and Samuel guiding his conscience,
(40:18):
he has descended even further down the dark pit of pride. However,
his delusion of grandeur are brought to a halt when
he sees Goliath. Saul, who is used to being the
largest person in battle, comes face to face with a
monstrosity of a man. His hawking frame and beast like
features make Saul a scared child. There are some enemies
(40:40):
even the strongest among us can't defeat. Goliath delivers a
challenge to the people of Israel. They must send one
man to fight him, and if that man prevails, then
the Philistines have lost. The structure of this challenge is
very important. Whoever faces Goliath will represent all of Israel.
If he wins, he will be solely responsible for their deliverance.
(41:02):
Every man under the command of Saul must think about
how they measure up to this giant and make a
conscious decision to fight or flee. No man, even the
King himself, feels strong enough to face such a menacing folk.
The truth is, we're all helpless to defeat sin on
our own. The enemy can only be defeated by a hero,
(41:24):
but we know deep down that we aren't that hero.
Even the strongest among us are helpless in the face
of sin and death. So who is strong enough? Who
is the deliverer? Brave and strong enough to fight Goliath?
David enters the camp of Israel, perplexed by their inaction.
It seems plain to David what should be done, and
(41:44):
he almost seems surprised that nobody has risen up. Yet David,
from the outside, can appear naive in his confidence. Men
far more season in battle wouldn't dare face Goliath, but
David seems to have no fear. Is David naive? Is
he delusional and perhaps too confident in his own skills? No, actually,
(42:06):
it's the exact opposite. David doesn't consider his skills too
much at all. He knows that God is at the
front of this battle, and all he needs to do
is step out and obey. The Lord has proven time
and time again that he doesn't need skilled warriors, he
needs willing hearts. David is willing after enduring the mockery
of his brothers. David steps forward into Saul's tent and
(42:29):
volunteers himself to face the giant. He is met with
chuckles and grins, which makes sense since he is just
a shepherd boy. David, up to this point has only
been known as Saul's personal musician. Of course, he would
not be taken seriously. However, David's words compel Saul and
his men. David tells Saul about his encounter with the lion,
(42:52):
then says, he defied the armies of God and made
a mockery of him. I will strike down this giant
with the same power by which I struck down the lion.
By the might of God himself. The Lord who delivered
me from the paw of the predator will deliver me
from the hand of this philistine. Saul is moved and
(43:13):
feels that David may be the spark is real needs.
Saul gives David his blessing, then proceeds to give David
his golden scaled armor, sword and shield. Naturally, it doesn't
fit David. He politely rejects Saul's gesture and takes the
armor off. What Saul proceeds as necessary, David perceives as
(43:34):
a hindrance. Saul saw it necessary to cover himself head
to toe in protection and splendor, but David saw it
as a danger. This is a grand metaphor. Saul's armor
is a representation of his own pride and self reliance.
Saul used it to protect himself, but also to parade himself.
The armor was a symbol of the outward appearance of
(43:56):
strength Saul held so dea. David, inner, strength and trusting God,
did not need Saul's false protection. He refused the almor
and thus refused to take on Saul's prisona. The world
is going to try its best to cover you with
Almah you don't need, but there is no substitute for
the peace that comes from God. David goes down to
(44:19):
the brook near the battlefield and prays to God, you
are my shepherd. He said to God, even though I
walk into the valley of death, I will fear no evil.
You are with me. This was taken from Psalm twenty three,
a famous song and prayer to God. It is not
a stretch to think that David prayed something similar before
facing Goliath. He knew he had nothing to fear, for
(44:41):
God was with him. Our new and budding hero bravely
entered the valley, standing opposite the giant, ready for the battle.
Goliath was insulted by David's presence and cursed him. David
was small and young, clearly no match for a warrior
like Goliath. Here lies a common theme found in scripture,
(45:03):
the small and powerless rise up to take on the
large and powerful. Think about Joseph rising up in the
hostile country of Egypt. Think about Moses and the Israelites
standing up to Pharaoh. Think about the liberated slaves of
Israel taking on the giant armies of the Canaanites. The
entirety of scripture up until this point has told us
(45:25):
the story of David and Goliath before we even met them. David,
as small as he may be, has a giant of
a god beside him. The odds are not in Goliath's favor,
and David knows it. This is why he is able
to speak boldly to the giant, yelling, you come to me,
(45:45):
adorned with glimmering Almah. Your sword is large and your
spear is heavy. I come to you in the name
of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies
of Israel, the liberator of slaves and the creator of
the stars. It is he who is your challenger, Giant,
not I. So come come at me with all the
(46:06):
strength in your bones. For I declare this day that
no man, no matter how large, is any match for
the creator of the Sun and the stars. This day
it will be your head that rolls off your shoulders,
to be eaten by the beast and the birds.
Speaker 5 (46:23):
All the world will know.
Speaker 1 (46:24):
That there is a god in Israel. All will know
that he needs no sword or spear. The battle is his,
the outcome is final. So come come to me, Giant.
Do your worst, and I shall do mine. These words
send chills down my spine. David spoke with such passion
and confidence. I can only hope to have this kind
(46:46):
of faith. This episode reaches its climax when Goliath leaps
toward David, all to be met with the stone lodged
in his skull. David beheads his enemy and lifts it
up for all to see. What happened heapens next is
a brilliant image. The entire army of Israel is filled
with passion. After David's victory, they storm the valley and
(47:09):
take on the Philistines, that carriage was given to them
by David. He is the one who slew Goliath. But
they are all beneficiaries of that triumph and are emboldened
by it. This is what Christ's victory does to us.
The victory Jesus has over death gives us carriage, strength,
and passion. We are beneficiaries of Christ's triumph. The people
(47:32):
of Israel now know who David is. It is impossible
for him to remain anonymous. In our next episode, we
will see how fame affects David. Will he succumbed to
the same temptation Saul did, How will Saul deal with
David's growing popularity, and what about Saul's promise to give
his daughter's hand in marriage. To find out, tune into
(47:53):
our next episode, A Dowry of Blood. Thanks again for listening.
For more inspiring stories, daily prayers and wisdom to last
a lifetime, go to pray dot com. Share this podcast
with a family member or friend, and help us spread
God's word. God bless
Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evans, your host for Heroes in
the Bible. If you've enjoyed this podcast so far, please
share it with your family and friends and help us
spread God's word. Welcome to the epic Adventure of David,
a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,
and murder. While most people know of David the Myth,
(00:23):
few people know about David the Man. I'm glad you're
here with me. As we mind the depths of this
renowned tale, in this episode, we encounter the famous story
of David and Goliath. This story has been told in
thousands of different ways, using thousands of different mediums. It
is a tale embedded in our culture, the underdog defying
(00:43):
all odds and the little guys standing up against the bully.
But make no mistake, the epic of David and Goliath
is not about you and me. We are not David,
and our problems are not Goliath. No, this legend points
forward to an even greater battle of good and evil.
The story of David bravely vanquishing the harbinger of death
(01:05):
Goliath is meant to be an image of something even
more significant. In this episode, allow yourself to be caught
up in the majesty of David's story, be inspired by
his bravery, and be encourriaged by his heart for God.
But remember that David is not the ultimate hero of
this tale. He is a shadow of greater things to come,
(01:26):
and a con do it for the deliverance of God.
May we all be inspired by this story to look
to God the same way David looks to God and
trust in his final victory over death. Our episode begins
with a prelude, a story in the future of God's
greatest hero. This prelude reminds us that there is a
greater giant than Goliath and a greater hero than David.
(01:49):
Let's not wait any longer. It's time for Episode six.
David and Goliath.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
Prelude to Chapter six. The thundering skies bellowed like war drums.
Death itself was raging like a wild animal. Its claws
were sinking deeper into the neck of God's chosen hero.
Jesus knew his hour had come. It was time for
the full weight of God's wrath to be poured out
onto him. Every sin, past, present, and future required punishment.
(02:28):
So Jesus looked up to heaven, and the mighty judgment
of Yahweh struck down like a bolt of lightning. In
that very moment, the entire sins of humanity were released
onto Jesus, He who knew no sin, became sin. Also
mankind could be reconciled to God once again. He wore
the dirtiness of humanity so they might wear his righteousness.
(02:52):
Jesus greened to the heavens and cried.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
Out, Eli, Eli, leave us about to me.
Speaker 4 (03:00):
Which means, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Speaker 2 (03:07):
People laughed at his christ, but they did not see
the cosmic shift taking place before them. Jesus, who had
been connected with the Father and Spirit since before time
was created, was now separated from them. Jesus endured separation
from God so that no person would ever have to again.
It had been done. The weight of mankind sins were
(03:30):
thrust on his shoulders. Now the only thing left to
do was bury them in the grave. To do that,
Jesus had to die. He looked down at the people below.
His eyes were darkened and nearly lifeless.
Speaker 5 (03:43):
I am thirsty.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Jesus whispered. The soldier shrug and took a sponge from
the latrines. They would use sour wine to sanitize themselves,
so they took the sponge filled with excrement and placed
it on his lips. Jesus tasted the filth of humanity,
then looked to the heavens. He lifted his legs and
arms to take one final breath. The lightning struck beside him.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
Causing the soldiers to fall back.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
Then, with the booming voice of the Almighty Jesus, yell,
it is finished, and he bowed his head and gave
up his spirit. Just as he had spoken, the Good
Shepherd laid down his life for his sheep. God's chosen
hero had vanquished the enemy. The fear and death had
(04:31):
been conquered by the loving yet powerful passion of the
Good Shepherd. Chapter six, David and Goliath.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
Battle.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Saul craved it, the sound of iron and bronze clashing
and clanging, the smell of campfire intermixed with blood and sweat.
More than anything, Saul craved the glory. He craved the
sounds of his people cheering and singing his praises, long
for the moment shortly after victory, lifting his arms and
(05:03):
basking in the admiration of his men. Saul imagined these
things as he led his men up the hills of Sukka.
The Israelite army gathered and encamped on a mountain overlooking
the valley of Ela. On the other side of the
valley and camped on a mountain standing opposite them were
the Philistines. There, clamoring echoed across the canyons. Saul stood
(05:26):
tall and proud on the other side of the valley
in front of his men. His bright and polished armor
gleamed in the sun. His large sword was strapped securely
to his side. The hilt of his sword, much like
his armor, was interlaced with gold and fine jewels, a
statement of Saul's importance and sense of worth. Saul looked
(05:47):
down at the battlefield. The grassy and flat valley was
surrounded by large stones and cracks in the ground. The
mountains surrounding the valley had uneven footing it would be
a treacherous descent for both armies. He looked up to
see the horde of Philistines sway back and forth on
the other side. The slow beat of drums began to play,
(06:07):
echoing across the valley. The drums were haunting there, swaying
and chance quickened with the beats of drums. They hissed
and sneered at the Israelites. Their sways became frantic and animalistic.
Jonathan was beside his father, growing nervous at the strange confidence.
Speaker 3 (06:25):
Of the army.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Then, like the Red Seas once did many years ago,
the Philistine horde parted in two. They crouched and bowed
to their knees, laughing uncontrollably. The drum ceased, but the
ground was still shaking. Saul could feel the quaking of
the earth on his feet. Something wasn't right. The men
(06:48):
of Israel looked, and from the crowd of Philistines emerged
an inhumanlike creature. He had the frame of a man,
but his size was like the.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
Beasts of gold.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
He cast a shadow over the Philistine soldiers below as
he marched forward. His legs were as wide as tree trunks.
He wore a coat of mail draped over his monstrous chest.
Saul stepped back in terror. His arms were dense with muscle,
holding a spear of pure iron. The monster's name was Goliath.
(07:20):
His name was being chanted across the valley reverberating into
the ear of Saul. There will be no glory in
fighting that man, Saul thought to himself.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
His hands would crush my skull.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
In an instant, Goliath paced up and down the ranks
of his men, roaring like a lion. The Philistines cheered
and banged their swords against their shields. Goliath unsheathed his
sword and swung it against a tree hanging beside the cliff,
and the trees splintered into a thousand pieces and tumbled
down into the valley. Goliath laughed and stretched his arms
(07:54):
out to the Israelites.
Speaker 4 (07:55):
Ha ha, ha ha, Come now, jeer, why shed any
more blood than we have to?
Speaker 3 (08:04):
Am I not a Philistine? Are you not? All servants
of Saul? Let us settle this battle?
Speaker 2 (08:11):
King Saul gont He feared what his next words would be.
Even from one hundred yards away, Goliath could smell Saul's fear.
It wafted over to him like the smoke from freshly
cooked meat. He soaked it in, enjoying every moment. The
giant smiled with all his teeth. He lifted his spear
(08:32):
and pointed it to Saul.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
Choose a man, king of Israel? Let him come down
and battle me. If he is able to kill me,
the Philistines will be your servants.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
The Giant let down his spear and looked back at
the soldiers.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
The Philistines laughed.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
Their mocking cackles filled the air like a bad smell.
Then there was silence. Goliath looked over at Saul, with
nostrils flaring. The low and rumbling voice the giant spoke seriously, saying, but.
Speaker 4 (09:04):
If I prevail against your man, when I tear every
limb from his body, feasting on his flesh, then you,
King Saul, and all your people will be enslaved to
us for generations to come.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
The Giant's challenge sent shivers down Saul's spine. The king
composed himself. Judging by the size of both armies, he
knew that they were outmatched. If they sent any more
soldiers down into the valley, they would surely succumb to
the Philistines. However, there was no man in his ranks
able to take on the giant. The offer from Goliath
(09:44):
was a mockery. The Philistines knew that they would win
either way. Sending Goliath was nothing more than a taunt.
Saul had always stood ahead above every man he fought,
he rarely feared the swing of another man's sword. However,
the creature standing before him was no man. He was
(10:05):
a beast from ancient days. He had the frame of
monsters told in children's tales. He was a harbinger of
death and a symbol of Saul's inevitable demise as king.
Before Saul could open up his mouth, Goliath's voice thundered
again across the valley.
Speaker 4 (10:22):
I defy you, Saul. I spit in the face of
your people, your nation, and your God. If you do
not have a man brave enough to fight, prove that
you are not a colin and fight me yourself.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
Saul was motionless.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
His men looked at him, waiting for a response. Clouds
covered the sun above, removing the gleam from Saul's armor.
Never before had Saul felt so helpless. This would be
a good moment to pray. However, he knew nobody would listen.
God had turned his face from him. Three days Goliath
(11:01):
walked down into the valley, goading salt to fight him.
For forty days, Saul and the people of Israel were silent.
Speaker 3 (11:13):
Did you pack the bread?
Speaker 2 (11:14):
Jesse asked David. Yes, Father, David said, while strapping the
rest of the supplies to his donkey.
Speaker 4 (11:20):
What about the extra wine skins on the bandages.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
Jesse continued in a sharp tone.
Speaker 5 (11:25):
I've packed both father, Eliab Abitadab and Shama will have
everything they need.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
David replied respectfully. Jesse grunted and walked off. Since David
became Saul's armor bear and musician, he had been making
his way to and from the palace. He still had
sheep to tend to. Even though he was now a
servant of the king. David packed his donkey filled with
supplies to bring to his brothers. They had marched with
Saul to Sukka to battle the Philistines. His father beamed
(11:56):
with fatherly pride that his three eldest sons had joined
the ranks of the king's arm A part of David
longed for his father to look at him with the
same approval and admiration. However, since being in the courts
of Saul, he felt his need for fatherly attention less
and less. Saul was kind to David and seemed to
enjoy his presence. Not only that, but David had grown
(12:18):
close to his son Jonathan. During his time in the palace.
Jonathan gave him the brotherly affection he lacked from his
own brothers. David led his donkey towards Sukkah, anxious to
see how Israel was faring against the Philistines. He had
heard Saul speaking with his generals about being outnumbered. Although
he was Saul's armor bear, it was more a title
(12:39):
than an actual job. The king would never allow a
child like him to march with him into battle. He
had not yet seen the glory of war. He did
not have the privilege of marching with Saul or carrying
his own sword to defend Israel. He was forced to
remain with the sheep and carry supplies to his brothers.
David reached Sukka anxious to see what had come on
(13:00):
the battle. He had a boyish excitement for war, heroism
and bravery. In him was a warrior spirit that desperately
desired to join in arms with his countryman. Instead, David
was unloading a sack filled with cheese and bread for
his brothers and their commander. The low status David held
in his family disappointed him at times, but David was
(13:21):
resolved in his own identity before God. He did not
strive to be someone he wasn't. Rather, with every step
he sought to honor the Lord in the best way
he could. If that meant delivering supplies to his haughty
older brothers, then so be it. David cared not how
he was used by God to serve. He only cared
(13:41):
that what he did pleased the heart of his Lord.
As David entered camp, he could hear the shouts of
war rumbling near the valley. Giddy with excitement, David tied
up the donkey and ran towards the hill. Overlooking the battlefield.
He was surprised to see no battle at all. Rather,
the armies of the Israelites and Philistines posturing at one
(14:02):
another from either side of the valley. Each army clamored
at the other, banging their swords on the shields and
hurling insults. It was a confusing sight to David. The
shepherd boy waded through the crowds in search of his brothers.
Speaker 5 (14:16):
The little lamb is here.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
A voice chided from the distance. David paused and looked
out at his feet. He closed his eyes and sighed
in irritation. Out of all the shouting and clamoring of soldiers.
Shama's mocking voice was loud and clear. David turned around
to see Shama and Abinadab walking over. They wore their
thick armor with bronze buckles to hold the straps, however,
(14:41):
they hung loosely on their chests. The shaft of their
spears were made of wood with iron tips of the end,
and David noticed how peculiarly dull the tips of their
spears were. It was almost as if they had not
sharpened them in days.
Speaker 5 (14:55):
Aren't they about to march into battle?
Speaker 3 (14:58):
David thought to himself.
Speaker 5 (15:00):
Why not sharpen your spears and tighten your armor.
Speaker 2 (15:03):
Shama took David's head under his arm and ruffled his
light curly hair.
Speaker 5 (15:07):
The runt of the litters here to watch.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
He teased.
Speaker 2 (15:10):
Shama and Abinadab laughed at David's expense. Their teasing was
a regular part of David's childhood. He expected nothing less
from them. Clearly, they hadn't been to battle even once
since marching up to Sukkah with Saul. David was curious
as to why that was. He released himself from his
brother's grip and walked towards the front of the crowd.
(15:32):
His brothers were irked by his indifference towards their presence.
Speaker 5 (15:35):
Where are you off to? Don't bother the other soldiers?
Speaker 3 (15:38):
Runt, they yelled.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
David ignored them. As he made his way.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
To the front.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
He found a high vantage point on a stone overlooking
the battlefield. David peered forward, looking upon the Philistine horde
chanting opposite them. They banged their drums and swayed back
and forth. Their laughs were like the hissing of a
brute of vipers. The evil in their eyes sent chills
down David's spine.
Speaker 5 (16:03):
What are they chanting for?
Speaker 2 (16:05):
David thought? He scanned the entire Philistine side, as the
Philistines had every day since meeting the Israelites. The army
parted him two to make way for their champion. The
beast like man covered in bronze mail, marched forward, making
the ground quake beneath him. The sword strapped to the
side of his belt was as long as David's torso
(16:28):
every step seemed to hold the weight of a mountain.
As he marched forward to the edge of the canyon,
the giant raised his spear high above his head, then
slammed the end of it into the ground in front
of him. Rocks cracked on the edge and fell into
the valley below. The giant laughed and leaned forward towards
the Israelite army. Ah, he cried. David's heart verberated in
(16:52):
his chest at the giant's roar.
Speaker 4 (16:53):
Oh, among you dogs will come and.
Speaker 3 (16:56):
Fight me, Goliath yelled.
Speaker 4 (16:59):
I've waited, and you cowards have yet to send a challenger.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
He pointed to Spirit Saul, just as he did every day.
Speaker 4 (17:07):
As your god as weak as your spine, King Saul,
aren't you the brave Israelites that conquered Pharaoh? I spits
at your ancestors and your god workless cowards.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
David's muscles tightened and his brow furrowed. He felt the
same fire in his bones from the night he saw
the lion take his lamb. David looked to his left.
King Saul was standing in front of the soldiers. He
was a sight to behold, his broad chest puffed out
towards the Philistines. As he stood atop his horse. The
light beamed off his golden armor. The hilt of his
(17:46):
sword was engraved with Hebrew battle poetry. However, the king
was motionless, speechless, he had nothing to say to the Philistine.
For weeks, Saul had tried to strategize a way to
gain an edge over the enemy. However, they outnumbered them greatly,
and the best way to defeat them was to accept
(18:06):
Goliath's offer. However, no one moved. The king, who was
once lauded for his bravery, was paralyzed by fear and
in action. The men began to disperse back to their tents.
Once again, their posturing was fruitless. No amount of battle
cries were going to make the Philistines flinch. They knew
(18:27):
it was only a matter of time before Israel lost
all hope. That is when they would strike. There is
no weapon greater than fear, and the Philistines wielded it
like no one else. David slid down the stone and
stopped a few of the men marching back.
Speaker 5 (18:45):
Can somebody please tell me what is going on?
Speaker 3 (18:48):
He asked.
Speaker 6 (18:49):
You haven't heard One of the soldiers asked, this giant
has come to defy Israel. The king has promised riches
and his daughter's hand in marriage to whoever defeats him,
and no.
Speaker 5 (18:59):
One has come up against him.
Speaker 3 (19:01):
David asked, not one.
Speaker 5 (19:04):
You've seen the size of his hands they could grip
a man's skull like a loaf of bread. I will
not pursue him, and I can attest that no one
here will either, not even the King.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
David's fist tightened and his jaw clenched.
Speaker 5 (19:19):
He has mocked our God.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
He said under his breath. The soldiers nodded.
Speaker 3 (19:25):
He has.
Speaker 5 (19:27):
However, none of us wished to make a greater mockery
of him by jeopardizing our army. Under the rules of
the challenge, if he prevails, the entire nation will be
made philistine slaves. Who among us wants to be responsible
for dying at the hands of Goliath and allowing him
to enslave all our people?
Speaker 2 (19:49):
The man made a valid point. David pondered the question.
Bravery was not enough to march against Goliath. If someone
went to fight him and they died, steins by right
would be able to enslave the survivors. Whoever marched up
against the giant didn't just need a warrior's heart. He
needed to be sure he would win. David was lost
(20:11):
in thought for a moment. Then a firm grip grabbed
him by the shoulder and turned him around. It was
Eliab his oldest brother. He grabbed David and shook him.
Speaker 7 (20:21):
What are you doing here? He scolded, Have you left
the sheep to wander around and die in the wilderness?
Speaker 5 (20:27):
Go home.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
Eliab shoved David to the ground. David got back up
immediately and the lungs at his brother's shoving him back.
Eliab caught him by the arm and threw him to
the ground again. David got back up, but Aliah raised
a finger and yelled.
Speaker 7 (20:43):
I know why you're here, baby brother. You have come
here to see the battle. You just couldn't help yourself,
could you. We're all here ready to die, and you
seek to wash the battle like a sport.
Speaker 5 (20:54):
Go home.
Speaker 7 (20:55):
There is no place for you here.
Speaker 2 (20:58):
David paused and looked at his older He had all
the looks of a hero, but on the inside he
was no greater than the giant on the other side
of the valley. He used his size and power to
intimidate and taunt. David looked back towards the Philistine army
and clenched his fist. His brother continued to chide him,
(21:18):
but he did not listen. With his back turned to
a Leib, he sighed and said.
Speaker 5 (21:25):
You and I both know I have done nothing.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
David turned his head, his eyes burned with holy fire.
Eliab stepped back, unable to discern what David would do next.
The shepherd left his brother and marched towards Saul's tent.
Saul paced back and forth in his tent. The king's
tent was wide and tall enough to host his generals
(21:50):
and the battalion commanders. Jonathan was also an attendant. Standing
beside his father, they could all sense a weariness from
the king. His eyes were heavy and deep and anxious thought.
He leaned over the side of his throne and sighed.
Speaker 6 (22:07):
This giant has made a mockery of us, and yet
there is nothing we can do about it. Saul whispered,
I have made the reward for his head great, yet
no one has mustered up the courage to go out
and fight him.
Speaker 3 (22:24):
We have run out of time, my king. One of
his commanders said.
Speaker 6 (22:28):
If we wait any longer to accept his challenge, they
will just march against us in the night.
Speaker 3 (22:34):
We cannot I know what they are capable of.
Speaker 2 (22:37):
Saw Snap throwing his cup against the beams of the tent.
Speaker 6 (22:40):
I have marched against these demons for years, and yet
they multiply like rodents in the city streets. What am
I to do?
Speaker 5 (22:49):
Am I to send out men into battle? With that
giant casting a shadow over them? They will run in
with weak knees and retreat At the first sign.
Speaker 2 (22:59):
Of trouble, Saul sat down and rubbed his head. He
breathed in deeply and composed himself. Saul lifted his hand apologetically.
Speaker 6 (23:08):
We are at an impasse. Are men without hope? They
are without something to inspire them to battle.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
The king trailed off into thought. He stared at the
fire burning in the center of the tent. He recalled
the feigned memory of simpler times when he sat by
the fire with Samuel and spoke about his new kingdom.
He poked the dying embers. We need some sort of spark,
Saul whispered to himself. All the men in the tent
(23:38):
were silent as they watched Saul brood over the fire. Then,
abruptly breaking the silence, David burst through the tent. Saul
looked up and smiled, Ah, David, I am glad you
are here. We could all use some music to calm
our souls. At the moment, David ignored Saul's request and
(23:59):
instead to the floor. He beat his fist against his
chest and said.
Speaker 5 (24:04):
My King, let no man's heart lose hope because of
the giant on the other side of the valley. I
will go and fight the philistine.
Speaker 2 (24:14):
Saul and the others in his tent held back chuckles.
The king leaned down and helped David up on his feet,
brushing the dust off his clothes. Saul shook his head
and said, surely you are filled with fire, young David.
But what sort of king would I be to let
a boy go up against a giant. You are young,
(24:35):
and that giant has been killing warriors since he was
your age. David stepped back and bowed his head.
Speaker 5 (24:42):
My King, are you familiar with the roll of a shepherd.
Speaker 2 (24:46):
He asked calmly. Saul scratched his head.
Speaker 6 (24:49):
Of course, my father had a few flocks of his own.
You tend to the sheep, leading them to the best
grass and water.
Speaker 3 (24:58):
David shook his head.
Speaker 5 (25:00):
That may be so, but the roll of the shepherd
is first and foremost to protect the sheep at all costs.
When there came a lion or a bear to take
one of my lambs, I did not hesitate to attack it.
I have run for miles and climbed mountains to pursue
(25:21):
the beasts that take my sheep. When a lion once
took my lamp, I pursued it and rescued the lamp
straight from its jaws. I struck it down, because a
good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
The rest of the men in the room were stirring uncomfortably.
The passion in David's voice was abrasive. They did not
like a young nobody like David having such a tone
in front of the king. He pointed back towards the valley.
He gave a slight grin. His eyes were gleaming with
intensity and honor.
Speaker 5 (25:55):
This philistine is no greater than that lion. He comes
in and threatens God's flock. He roars and bears his
teeth against us. He has defied the armies of God
and made a mockery of him. I will strike down
this giant with the same power by which I struck
down the lion. By the might of God himself, the
(26:18):
Lord who delivered me from the paw of the predator,
will deliver me from the hand of this philistine.
Speaker 2 (26:25):
Saul's heart beat swiftly listening to David speak in his
voice was the very passion of God. It had been
a long time since Saul came in contact with the
spirit of God. He had longed for his presence and
his anointing once again, coming through the voice of this
small shepherd boy, the very courageous spirit of God was
(26:47):
bursting forth like a mighty tempest. Saul stood up and smiled,
very well, go and the.
Speaker 3 (26:56):
Lord be with you.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
The officers in the room gassed that Saul's work words.
He had just commissioned a boy no older than sixteen
to march against the greatest warrior the world had ever seen.
Saul held David by the shoulders and.
Speaker 6 (27:11):
Smiled, I can feel your fire, David, but you will
need help. If you're going to stand against a giant,
you will need the finest armor and weaponry Israel has
to offer.
Speaker 2 (27:25):
Saul took his armor that was resting on the side
of his throne and draped it over David's body. He
put a helmet of bronze on his head and draped
a coat of mail over him. He strapped his sword
over his shoulder and tightened his belt to keep the
armor together. The firelight bounced off of the golden armor.
David waddled in place. The armor was so heavy that
(27:46):
he was barely able to move. For all its splendor,
the armor was more of a hindrance than a defense.
Saul's sword was beautifully crafted and elegant, but it was
heavy with jewels and gold. It had the appearance of glory,
but ultimately it fell short of being truly effective. David
took the helmet off and slipped out of the armor,
(28:07):
placing the sword in Saul's hand. David bowed his head
and said.
Speaker 5 (28:11):
My king, your armor is splendid. However I have not
tested it, nor do I see it helping me. For
all its beauty, I fear it is more of a
hindrance than a defense.
Speaker 3 (28:25):
Do not be foolish, boy. You need a real weapon.
You need real armor, Saul scolded.
Speaker 2 (28:33):
David gripped his staff and secured his sling tightly to
his belt.
Speaker 5 (28:37):
These will be my weapons, he said. God has done
far more with far less.
Speaker 2 (28:44):
The shepherd boy smiled and left the tent without another word.
Saul was speechless. He ran his fingers through the bright
golden armor. For all the king's glamor and appearance of strength.
It seems that he had just been taught a lesson
from a child. David quietly descended down the side of
the canyon towards the trees. The forest was silent and serene,
(29:07):
hosting the songs of birds and a babbling brook. David
sat near the brook and breathed in deeply. He closed
his eyes, feeling the slight breeze caress his cheek. The
sun above was scattered from the leaves above. David dipped
his hands in the water and took a sip. He
ran the cold water over his neck and looked up.
Speaker 3 (29:27):
You are a shepherd, he sent to God.
Speaker 5 (29:30):
Even though I walk into the valley of Death, I
will fear no evil.
Speaker 3 (29:37):
You are with me.
Speaker 2 (29:38):
The wind rustled the leaves above. The humming sound of
swaying trees was a comforting response. David reached down into
the brook and retrieved five smooth stones the size of
his palm. He meticulously chose each of them and placed
them in his leather pouch. He stood to his feet
and stretched his arms with his shepherd's staff. Then, with
(29:59):
the silen and courage of a warrior, David marched towards
the valley to meet Goliath. The Philistine descended into the valley,
as he had done every day. He roared challenges to
the israel ex above. He clanged his spear against his shield,
making it echo across the valley.
Speaker 4 (30:18):
Who shall fight me, he yelled, Who shall come and
slay me?
Speaker 3 (30:23):
He taunted.
Speaker 2 (30:25):
The giant had grown angry that so much time had
passed since he first made the challenge. He was vexed
by their cowardice. He was angry, he was thirsty for blood.
Saul stood over the cliffs with the other men, watching
the giant march into the center of the valley. He
stretched out his arms and raised his voice to Saul.
Speaker 4 (30:44):
This is the final chance to send a champion, Saul.
Let the dogs of Israel send a man to fight me,
or we will lay waste to your camps and your cities.
Speaker 2 (30:57):
The men of Israel stirred and murmured. I'll look to
their king to see if he would step forward. However,
Saul remained still and silent, looking at the battleground below.
The giant smiled and banged his ear against his shield.
Speaker 3 (31:10):
Again. Cowards, all of you are cowards.
Speaker 4 (31:15):
You have shamed your ancestors this day to survive the
slavery of Egypt, all to crumble by our hand, pathetic worms.
Speaker 2 (31:27):
As Goliath was taunting the Israelites, he heard them all
gasp and turned to the left of the canyons. Out
from the stones, to Goliath's right, the shepherd boy emerged.
His light curls were held back, with the bandana revealing
his eyes. They were lit with the fiery passion of
God himself. He marched towards the giant with intention. Every
(31:49):
step was purposeful and filled with confidence. As he stepped
out of the shadows into the light of day, he
stopped twenty yards in front of Goliath and added as
shepherd's staff firmly into the ground. The Giant had a challenger,
and Israel had its champion. Golias beastly grin turned into
a visceral snarl.
Speaker 3 (32:10):
He spat at David and roared at him.
Speaker 4 (32:12):
Have I a dog that you come to me with twigs?
Of all the mighty men of Israel they send you
to fight me?
Speaker 3 (32:22):
I am insulted.
Speaker 4 (32:24):
I can break this boy between my fingers.
Speaker 2 (32:28):
The wind whistled through the valley. David was immovable and resolute.
His gaze was locked onto the giant. He opened not
his mouth. He simply looked forward at the foe ahead,
calculating his next mood. Goliath was urged by David's silence.
He wailed curses into the air, banging his fists against
(32:49):
his chest, and a silvernafe.
Speaker 4 (32:51):
You and your god will crumble beneath my feet. Come
to me, boy, I will give you a flash to
the birds and beasts to feast on. There will be
no memory of you. I will make it so there
is no glory in your death.
Speaker 2 (33:12):
David paid close attention to the wind shifting through the valley.
He shot out from the side of the canyon and
whistled from his left to his right. He had to
be sure about the wind. David threw his staff at
the giant's feet and stretched out his arms.
Speaker 5 (33:26):
You come to me adorned with glimmering armor. Your sword
is large and your spear is heavy.
Speaker 3 (33:33):
David's gaze was fearsome.
Speaker 2 (33:35):
He beckoned the giant and said, I come.
Speaker 5 (33:38):
To you in the name of the Lord of Hosts,
the God of the Armies of Israel, the liberator of slaves,
and creator of the stars. It is he who is
your challenger, Giant. Not I so Come, come at me
with all the strength in your bones. For I declare
this day that no man, no matter how large, is
(34:01):
any match for the creator of the Sun and stars.
This day it will be your head that rolls off
your shoulders, to be eaten by the beasts and the birds.
Speaker 3 (34:13):
All the world will.
Speaker 5 (34:14):
Know that there is a god in Israel. All will
know that he needs no sword or spear. The battle
is his, the outcome is final. So come come to me, Giant,
Do your worst, and I shall do mine.
Speaker 2 (34:34):
Goliath, anger is kindled awarded by the flight, he raged
and lunched towards the shepherd with all his might. The
earth quaked beneath him. David could feel the ground shift
and shake with every leap. The giant was surprisingly quick
lay Mian Goliath closed the gap between him and his prey. However,
(34:54):
David was prepared, and as the giant began as pursuit,
David took us a single step back and retrieved his
sling in a single stone from his pouch. He placed
the stone in the sling and began to swing it
behind him. He bent his knees and drew a deep breath.
For a single moment, time itself stood still. The wind
(35:17):
ceased its blowing, and all David could hear was his
own feeling. He watched the giant run at the same
pace of his own arm people. He had one shot
at the giant, only one. He pivoted his foot back,
bent his front knee, and prepared for the first strike.
If the giant attacked first, it was over. He must
(35:40):
be the first one to act. The boy burst forward
with a sling still swinging behind him. Elia took the
bait and pounced forward with his sword high in the air.
The shepherd released the sling, sending the stone whistling.
Speaker 3 (35:53):
Through the air.
Speaker 2 (35:54):
The stone landed directly into the beast's head, cracking it instantly.
The giant's momentum was halted as it crumbled to the ground.
The entire earth shook beneath him. The boy took action, immediately,
pouncing on the giant fearlessly. He took the giant's sword
in his hands and raised it high in the air.
(36:15):
The giant laid there with his back on the ground,
looking up at the shepherd boy. The final thing his
eyes beheld on earth was the swing of God's mighty hero.
The young shepherd roared as he swung the sword down,
beheading the giant. David's roars echoed through the valley. His
(36:36):
cries of victory were not like any other warriors. It
was a passionate and victorious song given unto the Lord.
Speaker 3 (36:44):
Its sound was.
Speaker 2 (36:45):
Powerful and straight from the heart of God. The men
of Israel were in shown as they watched the boy
that Belith's head into the air. God's chosen hero had
vanquished the enemy. The very embodiment of fear and death
had been conquered by the loving, yet powerful passion of
(37:05):
a shepherd. The Israelite army cried out in victory and
descended down the canyon towards the Philistines. Emboldened by David,
they ran towards the enemy. The Philistines ran as the
children of Israel stormed their camp. David picked up another
sword and began to fight alongside them. Saul also entered
(37:26):
the battlefield with renewed fire in his bones. He rode
into the enemy lines atop his horse. The king swung
his sword with fury and confidence. The entire army of
Israel did not consider for a moment that they were outnumbered.
They had just beheld a small shepherd boy demonstrating the
power of God against a fierce warrior. Nothing was impossible
(37:49):
for them, because nothing was impossible for God. A lieb
of Beinadab and Shama ran and battled with passion as well.
They struck together, gaining an advantage over several Philistine soldiers.
When they began to feel outmatched, David joined them. The
brothers watched as the runt of the litter wielded a
(38:11):
blade with grace and power. He was like a musician,
using rhythm and cadence with each swing and parry. He
was a sight to behold, and he restored hope to
every soldier. Saul watched David from a distance. It was
unlike anything he had ever seen. Who is that warrior?
The king thought to himself. It cannot be the boy
(38:33):
who played the harp in my halls. It was the
forgotten son of Jesse, the Bethelmite was the hero of Israel.
God's chosen shepherd had protected the flock and saved them
from the jaws of the lion.
Speaker 1 (38:52):
God's chosen hero has vanquished the enemy. The fear and
death has been conquered by the loving yet powerful passion
of the good Shepherd. This was the final line in
the prelude to this episode. It can be used to
describe David's victory against Goliath, but we know by now
there was something even greater that was accomplished on the
(39:12):
Cross by Jesus. We are supposed to look at the
fight of David and Goliath as a picture of Christ's
triumph over sin and death. Jesus is David, born in
Bethlehem and ridiculed by his own brothers. Goliath is sin,
paralyzing even the strongest men. Looking at it this way
puts the whole story in a different perspective. This doesn't
(39:34):
mean we can't relate to David. As we follow his
life even more, we will find that we have much
in common with him. But this story in particular stands
above the rest. It is meant to give us a
glimpse into the heart of Heaven itself. The entire Bible
leading up to this point has been pointing to the Cross,
but it hadn't yet had a powerful image like David
(39:56):
versus Goliath. The young Shepherd's bravery, trust and passion expresses
the heart Jesus had when he marched up the mountain
for you and I. This episode began with Saul's craving
for conquests. The way he thinks about his own glory
is similar to how an attic thinks about their next fix.
With the absence of God and Samuel guiding his conscience,
(40:18):
he has descended even further down the dark pit of pride. However,
his delusion of grandeur are brought to a halt when
he sees Goliath. Saul, who is used to being the
largest person in battle, comes face to face with a
monstrosity of a man. His hawking frame and beast like
features make Saul a scared child. There are some enemies
(40:40):
even the strongest among us can't defeat. Goliath delivers a
challenge to the people of Israel. They must send one
man to fight him, and if that man prevails, then
the Philistines have lost. The structure of this challenge is
very important. Whoever faces Goliath will represent all of Israel.
If he wins, he will be solely responsible for their deliverance.
(41:02):
Every man under the command of Saul must think about
how they measure up to this giant and make a
conscious decision to fight or flee. No man, even the
King himself, feels strong enough to face such a menacing folk.
The truth is, we're all helpless to defeat sin on
our own. The enemy can only be defeated by a hero,
(41:24):
but we know deep down that we aren't that hero.
Even the strongest among us are helpless in the face
of sin and death. So who is strong enough? Who
is the deliverer? Brave and strong enough to fight Goliath?
David enters the camp of Israel, perplexed by their inaction.
It seems plain to David what should be done, and
(41:44):
he almost seems surprised that nobody has risen up. Yet David,
from the outside, can appear naive in his confidence. Men
far more season in battle wouldn't dare face Goliath, but
David seems to have no fear. Is David naive? Is
he delusional and perhaps too confident in his own skills? No, actually,
(42:06):
it's the exact opposite. David doesn't consider his skills too
much at all. He knows that God is at the
front of this battle, and all he needs to do
is step out and obey. The Lord has proven time
and time again that he doesn't need skilled warriors, he
needs willing hearts. David is willing after enduring the mockery
of his brothers. David steps forward into Saul's tent and
(42:29):
volunteers himself to face the giant. He is met with
chuckles and grins, which makes sense since he is just
a shepherd boy. David, up to this point has only
been known as Saul's personal musician. Of course, he would
not be taken seriously. However, David's words compel Saul and
his men. David tells Saul about his encounter with the lion,
(42:52):
then says, he defied the armies of God and made
a mockery of him. I will strike down this giant
with the same power by which I struck down the lion.
By the might of God himself. The Lord who delivered
me from the paw of the predator will deliver me
from the hand of this philistine. Saul is moved and
(43:13):
feels that David may be the spark is real needs.
Saul gives David his blessing, then proceeds to give David
his golden scaled armor, sword and shield. Naturally, it doesn't
fit David. He politely rejects Saul's gesture and takes the
armor off. What Saul proceeds as necessary, David perceives as
(43:34):
a hindrance. Saul saw it necessary to cover himself head
to toe in protection and splendor, but David saw it
as a danger. This is a grand metaphor. Saul's armor
is a representation of his own pride and self reliance.
Saul used it to protect himself, but also to parade himself.
The armor was a symbol of the outward appearance of
(43:56):
strength Saul held so dea. David, inner, strength and trusting God,
did not need Saul's false protection. He refused the almor
and thus refused to take on Saul's prisona. The world
is going to try its best to cover you with
Almah you don't need, but there is no substitute for
the peace that comes from God. David goes down to
(44:19):
the brook near the battlefield and prays to God, you
are my shepherd. He said to God, even though I
walk into the valley of death, I will fear no evil.
You are with me. This was taken from Psalm twenty three,
a famous song and prayer to God. It is not
a stretch to think that David prayed something similar before
facing Goliath. He knew he had nothing to fear, for
(44:41):
God was with him. Our new and budding hero bravely
entered the valley, standing opposite the giant, ready for the battle.
Goliath was insulted by David's presence and cursed him. David
was small and young, clearly no match for a warrior
like Goliath. Here lies a common theme found in scripture,
(45:03):
the small and powerless rise up to take on the
large and powerful. Think about Joseph rising up in the
hostile country of Egypt. Think about Moses and the Israelites
standing up to Pharaoh. Think about the liberated slaves of
Israel taking on the giant armies of the Canaanites. The
entirety of scripture up until this point has told us
(45:25):
the story of David and Goliath before we even met them. David,
as small as he may be, has a giant of
a god beside him. The odds are not in Goliath's favor,
and David knows it. This is why he is able
to speak boldly to the giant, yelling, you come to me,
(45:45):
adorned with glimmering Almah. Your sword is large and your
spear is heavy. I come to you in the name
of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies
of Israel, the liberator of slaves and the creator of
the stars. It is he who is your challenger, Giant,
not I. So come come at me with all the
(46:06):
strength in your bones. For I declare this day that
no man, no matter how large, is any match for
the creator of the Sun and the stars. This day
it will be your head that rolls off your shoulders,
to be eaten by the beast and the birds.
Speaker 5 (46:23):
All the world will know.
Speaker 1 (46:24):
That there is a god in Israel. All will know
that he needs no sword or spear. The battle is his,
the outcome is final. So come come to me, Giant.
Do your worst, and I shall do mine. These words
send chills down my spine. David spoke with such passion
and confidence. I can only hope to have this kind
(46:46):
of faith. This episode reaches its climax when Goliath leaps
toward David, all to be met with the stone lodged
in his skull. David beheads his enemy and lifts it
up for all to see. What happened heapens next is
a brilliant image. The entire army of Israel is filled
with passion. After David's victory, they storm the valley and
(47:09):
take on the Philistines, that carriage was given to them
by David. He is the one who slew Goliath. But
they are all beneficiaries of that triumph and are emboldened
by it. This is what Christ's victory does to us.
The victory Jesus has over death gives us carriage, strength,
and passion. We are beneficiaries of Christ's triumph. The people
(47:32):
of Israel now know who David is. It is impossible
for him to remain anonymous. In our next episode, we
will see how fame affects David. Will he succumbed to
the same temptation Saul did, How will Saul deal with
David's growing popularity, and what about Saul's promise to give
his daughter's hand in marriage. To find out, tune into
(47:53):
our next episode, A Dowry of Blood. Thanks again for listening.
For more inspiring stories, daily prayers and wisdom to last
a lifetime, go to pray dot com. Share this podcast
with a family member or friend, and help us spread
God's word. God bless
Host
Dr. Tony Evans
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