TEXT:

‘So David rose early in the morning, left the sheep with a keeper, and took the things and went as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the camp as the army was going out to the fight and shouting for the battle’ (1 Samuel 17:20).

David and Goliath is probably one of the best known Bible Stories, that even non-Christians have heard about. Today’s Teaching looks at some of the background to this amazing duel that only lasted a few minutes.

1. There was shouting but no fighting

The army was going out to fight and shouted for the battle. The Children of Israel were lined up in battle formation against the Philistines but there was no actual fighting. Indeed, when Goliath started shouting, the Israeli soldiers fled from him terrified. When David challenged their lack of action, his brother turned on him (See v28).

Church can be a bit like this. We do our preaching, singing and shouting on a Sunday, in a place where there’s no enemy, only fellow believers. When it’s time to go out into the world with the gospel, we allow the fear of the enemy to stop us in our tracks. Christians usually find it easy to talk about anything but Jesus outside of the church, but the Bible exhorts us, ‘Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy’ (1 Peter 3:15 MSG).

2. There was faith in the midst of fear – ‘For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?’ (v26)

David had come to the frontline from looking after the sheep. He brought food for his brothers and was to take back a battle report to his father. He heard the taunts of Goliath, just like everyone else, but his reaction was different. Faith was quickened not fear and before long he offered to fight Goliath on behalf of the Israeli army.

Why is it the same words that can spur a person on to victory, cause others to run away in defeat? The same Bible that builds up some Christians, causes others to feel discouraged and condemned because there is no faith, only fear.

3. David realised his past had helped prepare him for the present – ‘But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it”’ (v34-35)

When Saul tried to discourage him from fighting Goliath because he was young and inexperienced in warfare, David recounted his battles as a shepherd fighting with lions and bears, even rescuing a lamb from their jaws. Little did David think back then, that those encounters would take him to the frontline and become a hero for Israel. It’s good to remember past victories, but it’s better to use them to propel us forward in taking on the enemy in evangelism. So it can be with us. Life’s tests, trials and tragedies often prepare us for a more significant role in the future.

4. Use what you know works for you, not just the recommendations of others – ‘So Saul clothed David with his armour, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. David fastened his sword to his armour and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.”’ So David took them off. (v38-39)

When Saul offered David his armour, sword and shield, he declined because they hindered him, and he had not properly tested them.  Instead, he chose to take his staff, sling and five smooth stones. This is what he had grown up with and knew how to use them effectively against anyone or anything.

There are techniques helpful for evangelism, but the best way is for you to tell your story in your own words and rely on the Holy Spirit to prompt you to say anything more.

It matters little whether David’s sling shot was due to his skill or divine guidance. His confidence was not in his ability but in God. Goliath had defied the God of Israel and because of that, David knew victory was assured.

The Holy Spirit has promised to confirm the truth of the gospel when we speak it. If we say the right words, at the right time, something can follow when the person believes we have told them the truth.

Finally, the Apostle Paul told the Ephesian Christians, ‘We are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies—the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world’ (Ephesians 6:12 TLB).

There is a real enemy who continually seeks to steal, kill and destroy lives (See John 10:10). Thank God we can tell the world about Jesus who came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.

Paul also reminded Timothy to, ‘Fight the good fight of faith’ (1 Timothy 6:12). Let’s encourage each other to do the same thing, to see the enemy routed and people set free for the glory of God.