David and Goliath (I Samuel 17)

We oftentimes see this as a children’s story.

We oftentimes see this as a children’s story. It is one of the most commonly known of the Biblical stories.

We oftentimes see this as a children’s story. It is one of the most commonly known of the Biblical stories. When we use this story for adults we oftentimes give it a personal cast.

We oftentimes see this as a children’s story. It is one of the most commonly known of the Biblical stories. When we use this story for adults we oftentimes give it a personal cast. What could this passage have to do with world missions?

Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle. And they were gathered at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered, and encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in line of battle against the Philistines.  And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them. And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.

Philistines

Philistines They appear as the nemesis of the people of Israel throughout much of the period prior to David.

Philistines They appear as the nemesis of the people of Israel throughout much of the period prior to David. They occupied an area that corresponds roughly to the area of the Gaza Strip.

Archeologist have called them the Sea Peoples. Philistines They appear as the nemesis of the people of Israel throughout much of the period prior to David. They occupied an area that corresponds roughly to the area of the Gaza Strip. Archeologist have called them the Sea Peoples.

Archeologist have called them the Sea Peoples. Philistines They appear as the nemesis of the people of Israel throughout much of the period prior to David. They occupied an area that corresponds roughly to the area of the Gaza Strip. Archeologist have called them the Sea Peoples. They invaded Palestine from the Mediterranean and then adopted the local gods.

Philistines In two previous encounters with the children of Israel, the Philistines found themselves bested by God.

Philistines In two previous encounters with the children of Israel, the Philistines found themselves bested by God. Samson (Judges 16)

The Philistines and the Ark (I Samuel 5-6) In two previous encounters with the children of Israel, the Philistines found themselves bested by God. Samson (Judges 16) The Philistines and the Ark (I Samuel 5-6)

When the Philistines captured the ark of God, they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.  Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it into the house of Dagon and set it up beside Dagon. And when the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and put him back in his place. But when they rose early on the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the Lord, and the head of Dagon and both his hands were lying cut off on the threshold. Only the trunk of Dagon was left to him. 1 Samuel 5:1-4 (ESV)

 And the Philistine moved forward and came near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him.  And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance.  And the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field.” 1 Samuel 17:41-44

 And the Philistine moved forward and came near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him.  And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance.  And the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field.” 1 Samuel 17:41-44

Goliath

Goliath He should have known about the ark, Dagon, and the tumors which afflicted the people.

Goliath He should have known about the ark, Dagon, and the tumors which afflicted the people. Instead of fear, reverence, or respect Goliath responds with cursing. Thus Goliath has hardened his heart against God.

Goliath He should have known about the ark, Dagon, and the tumors which afflicted the people. Instead of fear, reverence, or respect Goliath responds with cursing. Thus Goliath has hardened his heart against God. His cursing raises the stakes in this conflict. Goliath has committed himself to Dagon. This is now between Dagon and the God of Israel.

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hand.” 1 Samuel 17:45-47 (ESV)

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hand.” 1 Samuel 17:45-47 (ESV)

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hand.” 1 Samuel 17:45-47 (ESV)

As a force the Philistines appear much less threatening after this.

As a force the Philistines appear much less threatening after this. Furthermore, God promises to save a remnant of the Philistines and make them his people.

a mixed people shall dwell in Ashdod,     and I will cut off the pride of Philistia.  I will take away its blood from its mouth,     and its abominations from between its teeth; it too shall be a remnant for our God;     it shall be like a clan in Judah,     and Ekron shall be like the Jebusites. Zechariah 9:6-7 (ESV)

Warning and Promise

The God of Israel will defeat all other gods. Warning and Promise The God of Israel will defeat all other gods.

The God of Israel will defeat all other gods. Warning and Promise The God of Israel will defeat all other gods. Those who stubbornly cling to those gods will face judgment.

God will save a remnant of people. Warning and Promise God will save a remnant of people.

God will save a remnant of people. Warning and Promise God will save a remnant of people. These people will come from all the people’s of the earth.