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GOD WAS WITH DAVID AS HE FACED GOLIATH
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20
1 Samuel 17:1-28

Psalm 18:1-5

 

“The LORD is my rock, and
my fortress, and my deliverer;

my God, my strength…”

 

GOD WAS WITH DAVID AS HE FACED GOLIATH
 
David’s victory over the Philistine giant, Goliath, is one of the best known Bible stories. David had gone back to Bethlehem while his three brothers had gone with Saul to battle with the Philistines. Their father sent David to bring food to his brothers at the war front. He came at a time when the Philistine giant, Goliath, was challenging Israel to send a champion to fight with him. King Saul offered a reward to anyone who could kill the Philistine giant. David overheard Goliath’s words of challenge. He then made an inquiry and they told him the king’s words. He offered to fight Goliath, but his eldest brother (Eliab) was angry with him. Also, King Saul did not believe him. David spoke confidently, trusting that the Lord would help him. In the end, he smote Goliath with one stone, and God gave Israel victory.
 
When the Philistines gathered against King Saul and Israel, the two armies faced each other on what was part of the land of Israel. They took their positions in a place suitable for each, on a mountain with a valley between them. Goliath was a powerful Philistine champion. He was more than nine feet tall, and was fully armed for war. He had sufficient protection and the best weapons of war: spear, sword and shield. With his stature and weapons, he was frightful-looking. He challenged the army of Israel to choose a man who would fight with him. If he defeated them, Israel would be their servants. And if Israel won, the Philistines would then be their servants. Goliath set these threatening terms. He spoke with much pride because, to him, the victory over Israel was a forgone conclusion. At the same time, Saul and Israel were dismayed. The men of Israel saw Goliath and fled from him, sore afraid.
 
Jesse’s three eldest sons had joined Saul in the war front. Eliab was the eldest and there were Abinadab and Shammah. David was the youngest of eight sons. He was King Saul’s assistant and music player, but he had gone back to Bethlehem. David’s return to visit Bethlehem confirmed the providence of God as it led to him being sent to the battlefront.
 
THOUGHT: God does all things well.

PRAYER: Father, may I always have confidence in Thee.

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