9’ 6” high Yao Ming is 7’ 6” [picture with Yao next to a “regular” guy]

126 pounds of armor weight of some college students/Pastor Charles

spear with a 15-16 pound iron head

we feel the intimidation, producing fear

Explicit: we feel the intimidation, producing fear; Israelites were impressed & depressed.

It’s like racing Michael Phelps in the 200m freestyle, or going 18 holes with Tiger Woods.

I think one reason why this is such a well known story is because so many times we feel like David facing our Goliaths. We’ve all had huge problems, daunting challenges, overwhelming obstacles. We feel like the odds are overwhelmingly against us.

1. This is not a story about how we can have courage against our big and daunting problems. This is not about a celebration of the underdog who with strength and courage overcomes his challenges and prevails. This is not a celebration of the human spirit. This is a story about God’s glory, and a man who fought for God’s glory.

2. But to relate to the story, it may be helpful to find that personal connection, that overwhelming obstacle we may have: an “impossible” semester of courses, a threatening sickness for you or a loved one, difficulty in our marriage our in our parenting, a personal addiction or struggle with sin—and we feel so defeated. That’s how the Israelites felt, and I’m sure many of us understand that feeling.

It seems this is important for Israel to know David’s family background b/c v. 58, we read again that David is the son of Jesse of Bethlehem

sense David’s insignificance: just watching sheep during war; an errand boy, a gopher, a delivery boy; not even a solider in the army. He’s not on the radar of anyone who might matter in this moment of national crisis.

The errand boy arrives to deliver the food and overhears Goliath defy the armies of Israel. He hears Goliath’s threat (23). He then sees the Israelite army flee in fear (24). They recognize that Goliath is defying Israel, but they’re too afraid to do anything.

David has a very different response: He’s not going to let this one man make a mockery of Israel. Where Israel saw an invincible giant, David saw an “uncircumcised Philistine” (26) who had the nerve to mock the armies of the Living God. Where we see Israel’s resignation, we see David’s indignation. David has a fierce zeal for God, a passion for God’s glory. More next week.

In this story, I’m sure we don’t identify with Goliath. We feel a lot more like David. We’re the underdog. But the truth of the matter is, we’re actually a lot more like the Israelite army. We’re paralyzed by insecurity and fear. We do not have the faith or zeal that David has.

We also hear of a reward: great riches, the daughter of the king in marriage, freedom from taxes. It was a great prize, though no takers.

As much as David is a hero, I’d like to suggest that the Bible is honest about David’s flaws. We’ll read later of his thing with Bathsheba and Uriah. Here, in this great moment of his courage and faith, his zeal for God, I have to admit that I think David was interested in the material rewards. The text itself seems to highlight it:

v. 25 reward defined

v. 26 David asks about the reward

v. 27 “This will be done for the man who kills him.”

v. 30 Apparently again asked about the reward and heard the same reply.

As we’ll see David has a fierce passion for God, but its not that he doesn’t care about material things too. I think some of us might take some comfort that in this small we, we can relate to David’s interest in material rewards.

A word of counsel: We’re to love the right things to the right degree. There’s nothing wrong with loving fabulous wealth (many OT characters were very wealth; when David will become a very rich and powerful king), tax-exemption, being married into the king’s family. These are good and enjoyable things. We had mentioned that we should celebrate God’s good gifts to us.

But these things should not rule our hearts. The difference between David and many of us is not that David wasn’t interested in riches, but that that David had a far greater passion for God and His glory.

Eliab is really annoyed with David and accuses him,

Ignored his responsibility of tending the sheep

Has a thrill for war—wicked and conceited heart

David’s reply, “What have I done? I only asked a question.”

Maybe Eliab thinks David really is the runt of the litter, his annoying and pesky little brother. Maybe Eliab felt overlooked and snubbed when David was anointed. For whatever reason, Eliab is annoyed with, angry at his youngest brother.

Eliab’s first accusation is unfair. We know David did not neglect his sheep. In fact, he came because his father Jesse had sent him to deliver food. He did not irresponsibly abandon the sheep.

As far as the second accusation, does David have a wicked heart? Does David enjoy the thrill of war?

It’s probably not entirely fair, but it’s also probably not entire unfair. I don’t think this is black-and-white. David does have a passion for God, a faith that God Himself recognizes. But David is not perfect. David is a violent man—this will be the first of hundreds if not thousands of people David will kill. He will have a lot of blood on his hands. Maybe there is a side that is drawn to the thrill of battle and bloodshed. Maybe David was very much excited by the battle, and maybe Eliab saw that in David.

It sounds like an argument an annoyed big brother might have with a defensive little brother. Eliab is being a mean older brother. But this is David’s brother, so the accusations may not be completely off. There may be enough truth to give the accusations sting.

Why do we have this account of Eliab’s snide remarks?

Goliath wasn’t David’s only opponent. In this chapter, David interacts with Eliab, Saul and Goliath, and all 3 press on David’s weakness, smallness.

Eliab attack’s David’s character and motivation in a way that could’ve really gotten to him, pressed his sensitive/insecurity button: irresponsible, loves battles (evil way).

David could have gotten really defensive and consumed in a big fight with his older brother.

He could have gotten really hurt and discouraged, he could’ve caved in and felt really small.

I see David being attacked, but as we know, David doesn’t get side tracked with Eliab’s accusations.

David’s interest is brought to King Saul’s attention.

David now says he wants to go and fight this Philistine.

Saul takes a look at David and says, you’re just a boy, a kid. David was just a boy, and Goliath was trained solider, a lethal Green Beret, a killing machine. You can’t do this!

David says, I want to fight him, and Saul laughs at him.

If I seriously said, I feel God is leading me to change my path, step down from ministry and try out for the NFL—you’d probably laugh at me. It would be a big joke!

In a sense, Saul attacked David’s intelligence or sanity, he struck at David’s confidence.

David could’ve gotten really embarrassed and backed down. He could’ve been shaken, “What was I thinking? This is stupid!”

But David responds differently. This gives David the opportunity to testify: when he watched his sheep, and a lion or bear came to attack the sheep, he rescued the sheep and killed the animal (34-37)

But now notice David’s theological interpretation of his experience: The Lord has delivered me from the lion and the bear.

How do we interpret our experiences/successes? I’m a good fighter, a sharp sling-shooter. I’m bright, talented, diligent, charming, ambitious.

Or do we really think, God delivered me, God elevated me, God provided for me, God blessed me. What explains your successes?

God brought me to Philadelphia. God got me into this school.

God granted me success with my job interview. God provided a home for me.

God has given me health and strength. God has kept my family safe.

(Pr 3:6, “in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight”)

David’s great moment of faith didn’t just happen one day.

It came from a history of testimonies, seeing God in his life, experiencing God’s rescue and faithfulness.

The character and faith displayed in the big battleground was developed in the quieter, more ordinary issues of life. David was a shepherd trying to protect his sheep, and God showed His faithfulness.

If someone were to question, even laugh at what you’re attempting to do for God (You want to do what?!), what would be your response? If someone said that your problem is way too big, there’s no way!

Do you have anything to present as evidence of the reality and power of God in your life?

Can you say, the God who has delivered me in the past will deliver me again?

Did David really think he was a better warrior? Did he have grandiose self-delusions of his military might? Or did he, knowing that he was an inexperienced, unprotected boy, have such complete faith/confidence that God would fight for him?

Did David really think his heart was perfectly righteous? Did he think he had no motivation for the reward or not enjoy the thrill of battle? Or did genuinely have a greater zeal for God that was eclipsed his concerns about himself? Did he believe that God would fight for Himself?

Saul contributes nothing to David. David defeats Goliath and initiates a massive victory for the Israelites over the Philistines, and Saul can take no credit. Saul did not contribute to the victory. The only thing Saul did was to give David permission to go fight Goliath.

David has no armor. He goes with sticks and stones against a tank of a warrior. David is a picture of vulnerability, completely inadequate for battle. It makes no human sense. It’s utter foolishness.

In this scene, David is not trying to beat Goliath on his terms: wear a heavier armor, wield a bigger spear. Rather, David operates on “I am weak, He is strong.” That is a Gospel-posture. I am weak, sinful, shameful, poor, but God is strong, righteous, glorious and rich. And I put my trust in Him.

Eliab says, David your heart is wicked

Saul says, David you’re just a boy.

David says, Yes I am weak. But God is strong! My confidence is in God.