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July 29, 2025 14 mins

Born in Bethlehem, raised as a shepherd, and slew a giant. David’s story foreshadows the story of Jesus, born of Bethlehem, shepherd of our souls, who slew the greatest giant of all - sin.

Today's Bible verse is 2 Corinthians 2:14, from the King James Version.

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Episode Transcript

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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Let us pray now. Thanks be to God who always
leads us in triumph in Christ and reveals through us
the sweet aroma of His knowledge in every place. Tewod
Corinthians two fourteen. Dear Lord, we come to you with
grateful hearts, acknowledging our victory in You. Thank you that

(00:24):
you always lead us in triumphal procession and through us
spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere. As
we journey through this life. We ask that you guide
us in your ways, using us as vessels to spread
the beautiful fragrance of your love, grace and truth. May

(00:44):
our lives be a living testament to our victory in Jesus,
and may our words and actions point others to Him.
Help us, O, Lord, to remain faithful and diligent in
our walk with You, even when faced with child lenges
or adversities. In every situation, remind us of the triumph

(01:05):
we possess through Christ and the power of Your love
that overcomes the world. In the mighty name of Jesus,
we pray, Amen, Thank you for praying with me today.
Stay tuned now for another episode of Stories of the
Messiah with Rabbi Schneider.

Speaker 2 (01:34):
Situated on opposing hills, with a valley in between, the
Israelites and the Philistines prepared for an impending clash. Blackened
clouds obscured the sun, casting a somber shroud over the battlefield.
Israel stood ready to defend their homeland from the Philistines
encamped at their doorstep. This was a critical juncture, Israel's

(01:56):
last line of defense before an invasion. The fatigue of
war had already crept in. Both sides were battle worn
and weary. The Philistines were bent on enslaving the Israelites.
King Saul stood with his men arrayed behind him. His
gaze was fixated across the divide, where the Philistine army stirred,
making room for an emerging figure. With each step, the

(02:19):
earth seemed to shudder, provoking gasps of astonishment from saltsmen.
A beastlike man emerged from the Philistines. He dwarfed the others.
His chest was a mountain of muscle, his arms like stones,
and his legs as thick as oak trees. Goliath, the
champion of the Philistines and Titan of Gath, cast a

(02:41):
long shadow over the valley. A defiant smile glinted beneath
his helmet as he looked at the Israelites. He was
like a ravenous war king, Saul, he shouted, with a
voice that seemed capable of splitting the earth.

Speaker 3 (02:57):
I stand for the Philistines as their champion. Select a
man brave enough to fight me. If he bests me,
the Philistines will be your servants. Yet should I crush him,
you Israelites will grovel before us like the dogs you are.

Speaker 2 (03:14):
The Philistines rallied behind Goliath, their rhythmical pounding on shields,
intensifying saul perspiration of dotting his brow felt the dread
settling over Israel. Goliath's challenge echoed daily for forty days,
invading the Israelite camp, his voice at tormenting specter, haunting

(03:35):
Saul's dreams. The Israelite soldiers were immobilized by fear. Nobody,
not even the king, dared challenge him.

Speaker 4 (03:48):
Hello and welcome to another episode of the Jesus Podcast.
I'm Athan Frompray dot Com, here to guide you through
some of the most iconic stories ever told. This podcast
has blessed you thus far. Please take a moment to
leave a comment and review. Doing so, will make sure
others discover these life changing stories and be sure to

(04:11):
download the Prey dot Com app to hear the Bible
come to life and make prayer a priority in your
daily walk with God. We've been traversing the peaks and
valleys of the Bible's most famous characters. These people's lives
were marked with tragedy, triumph, faith, and failure. These heroes
ultimately point us toward the greatest hero of all, Jesus.

(04:36):
Thus far, we've explored the stories of Adam, Cain, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua,
and Boas. And now we enter the most iconic battle
of the Bible, David versus Goliath.

Speaker 2 (04:54):
Weeks into the standoff between Goliath and the armies of Soul,
David prepared food for his brother who were soldiers under Saul.
At daybreak, he loaded his donkey and set off to
the base. As he approached, he heard a strange sound
echoing from the battlefield. He climbed a rock for a
vantage point and saw the giant cursing God in marking

(05:15):
Saul's armies. David looked at the Israelite army. They were
all cowering in fear. David's jaw tightened as he moled
over Goliath's blasphemous words.

Speaker 5 (05:25):
A divine rage ignited within him. Who is this philistine
to dare and sold the armies of Israel on the
living God?

Speaker 2 (05:32):
David murmured. Saul and his men retreated to camp, once
again refusing to challenge Goliath. David darted towards Saul's tenth
without formal invitation. David burst in and knelt before the king,
boldly declaring.

Speaker 1 (05:48):
Don't let anyone lose heart because of this giant. I
will confront him.

Speaker 2 (05:52):
Saul and his men suppressed their laughter at the shepherd boy.
Saul helped David to his feet, saying.

Speaker 1 (05:58):
You can't go against him. Are just boy, and he
has been a warrior since his use.

Speaker 2 (06:02):
David grinned, his eyes, shimmering with determination and hope.

Speaker 5 (06:06):
As you know, I shepherd my father's flock.

Speaker 1 (06:08):
Whenever a lion or a bear to the lamp, I
would chase it down and kill it.

Speaker 5 (06:12):
I've rescued sheep from the lion's jars, i have slain them.
This milstine will be just like them, as he has
defied the flock of God.

Speaker 2 (06:20):
The room fell silent face is tense. David said.

Speaker 1 (06:24):
The Lord has saved me from the lion and the bear.

Speaker 2 (06:26):
He'll save me from this giant too. Saul looked at
David thoughtfully, but perhaps this youth bore God's favor. David
held his breath, awaiting Saul's verdict. Saul finally spoke.

Speaker 4 (06:39):
Go, May the Lord be with you.

Speaker 2 (06:41):
David collected his shepherd's staff and left. David picked five
smooth stones into nearby street, tucking them into his pouch
as he prayed for God's blessing. His staff and sling
were his weapons, and faith was his only armor. Yet
David advanced confidently onto the battlefield where Goliath. Goliath looked

(07:02):
down at David and scoffed.

Speaker 3 (07:03):
And I an dog that you come to me with
a stink cone, and I will feed your flesh to
the birds and beasts.

Speaker 2 (07:12):
David returned Goliath's scornful gaze.

Speaker 5 (07:15):
You rely on sword and spear, but I face you
in the name of the Lord of Heaven and Earth.

Speaker 2 (07:20):
David's heartbeat intensified, and he raised his staff towards Goliath
with defiant strength.

Speaker 1 (07:26):
It is my God you've challenged, Goliath, not I today
The Lord will deliver you into my hands.

Speaker 5 (07:31):
Your head will roll off your shoulders, and the world
will know God fights for us.

Speaker 2 (07:35):
Enraged, Goliath charged it David. As the giant thundered towards him,
David calmly readied his sling, a single stone nestled within.
He had but one opportunity to land the stone. David
readied the sling and began to swing it behind him.
He took a deep breath and peered at the galloping Goliath.

(07:57):
David swiveled his hips and released the stone. It whistled
through the air, striking Goliath's forehead. The impact interrupted the
giant's momentum, and he crumpled to the ground. Without delay,
David swiftly approached the fallen Philistine, grabbed his sword and
swung downward at his neck, instantly decapitating the giant. Holding

(08:18):
up Goliath's head, he showed it to the stunned Philistines.
Goliath was defeated by a shepherd. Empowered by God. The
victorious roar of the Israelite soldiers filled the air as
they charged the Philistines. David joined his brethren, fighting bravely.
David's triumph brought liberation to all of Israel. His courage

(08:39):
and faith symbolized a deeper narrative in Israel, the story
of a shepherd willing to risk his life to protect
his sheep, to confront lions, giants, and armies to guide
his flock to safety and abundance. David's bravery reflected God's
shepherding heart towards Israel. In the coming years, God would
use David to guide his flock towards prosperity and security.

(09:03):
In the future. From Bethlehem, God would send another shepherd,
one who would conquer the ultimate foe, death itself.

Speaker 4 (09:15):
This clash between the giant and the shepherd is famous
for a reason. It speaks to the underdog in all
of us who want to stand up to life's challenges.
But I fear this story has been misunderstood by pop
culture and Sunday School theology. As much as we'd like
to think we are like David, we aren't. This story

(09:35):
is an image of something greater going on. Goliath represents sin,
death and destruction. He's an archetype for the evil that
wants to oppress our souls. Much like Saul and the
armies of Israel. We feel hopeless and paralyzed to do anything.
We are not David. We are not the heroes of

(09:56):
this story. We are ineffective in the of Caliath. The
giants in our lives loom over us with menacing power,
like Saul and Israel. We require a brave champion, a
good shepherd, someone who will run toward evil instead of
run from it. David was the champion to face Goliath.

(10:18):
But who is the champion to face our sin. Let's
dive into the story of Jesus. Right before he's taken
to be tried, beaten and crucified. Death pursues Jesus. Will
he flee or will he fight? Let's find out now.

Speaker 2 (10:37):
The brook Kidron flowed downward from the Temple mount The
water was stained crimson from the blood of animal sacrifices.
Jesus looked down at the brook, seeing his reflection in
the red ripples. It was time for him to be
the sacrifice. Now an enemy awaited him on the mountain
of Calvary. On the other side of the brook. A
band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests march

(10:59):
with torches and swords. They had come for him. They
intended to drag him away to be tried, flogged and crucified,
but the son of God didn't flinch. He set his
will like a flint and stepped over the crimson brook
towards his enemies. Their swords glimmered in the torchlight.

Speaker 1 (11:19):
But Jesus was unfazed.

Speaker 2 (11:22):
They thought they had come to capture him, but they
were at the mercy of Jesus. Judas appeared from them
like a wolf sauntering out of its den. The wolf
and the lamb stood yards away from each other, hiding
the cowardice beneath an insincere smile. Judas approached his master
and greeted him, Hello, Rabbi, he said. Then he gave

(11:42):
Jesus a single kiss. It was the signal for the
soldiers to attack, but they refrained. Jesus looked over Judas's shoulder.
Whom do you seek, he asked the soldiers, Jesus of Nazareth.
They answered, with their hands gripping their swords. I am he,
he answered, And as he did, something stirred among the heavens,

(12:03):
and the earth under rumble. Lightning streaked across the sky,
and the mighty winds of God bellowed against the soldiers
with ferocity. Pushing the men off their feet and onto
their backs. Jesus knew he was being sent to slaughter,
but he would not be taken as a victim. No,
he was the victor. He allowed himself to be bound
and taken to the cross. He was determined to face

(12:26):
the giant of sin, death, and shame.

Speaker 4 (12:33):
Jesus and David are connected on many different levels. First,
Jesus is a direct descendant of David from the tribe
of Judah. God made a covenant with David that the
ultimate king would come through his lineage. Jesus is the
fulfillment of that promise. Secondly, the brook Kidron that Jesus
cross to go toward his enemies was the same brook

(12:55):
that David crossed to run away from his enemies. David,
as heroic as he was, failed in many ways. He
was a great hero, but his life was also marked
by scandal and moments of cowardice. Where David failed, Jesus succeeded.
Jesus ran toward his betrayers and fearlessly pursued his enemy. Lastly,

(13:20):
David's story points to Jesus's ultimate victory over sin, death
and destruction. Second Corinthians, Chapter two tells us that God
leads us to triumph in Christ. Jesus Romans chapter eight
declares that we are more than conquerors in Christ. Jesus.
David may have defeated Goliath, but he could not conquer

(13:41):
his sin. Jesus was victorious over sin. In this way
we have an assurance that Jesus is the greater David.
Join us next time as we explore the story of
the tortured philosopher and king Solomon. This son of David
was heralded as the wisest man ever to live. He

(14:03):
was responsible for building the Temple of God. But for
all Solomon's wisdom, darkness constantly crept at the doorstep of
his heart. So stay tuned for the next episode to
learn how Jesus is the greater Solomon.
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Zak Shellabarger

Zak Shellabarger

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