Thesis
Philistine is the godless disdain and rebellious defiance of the God of heaven and earth. As such, any person, place, or thing that openly defies and denies the living God of the Bible, and arrogantly defies and denies the authority of God as Creator of life and all living things is Philistine. From Abraham and Abimelech, to Samson and Delilah, from David and Goliath, to the Battle of Armageddon, Philistine is both a manifest spirit and a physical reality – a mindset and a condition of the heart. Philistine is past, present, and prophetic. Even as it was in “the days of old,” the people of God will stand in His name to contend and defend against those who have defied Him – Philistine.
Introduction
The next eight weeks will not only enlighten and teach us, but will also challenge, inspire, prepare, and equip us for what is to come. The series Philistine is an alarming deep dive into the biblical significance of an ancient people group who have been uniquely intertwined with God and His people for centuries. And now, remarkably, Philistine can be seen as spiritually paradigmatic of the very defiance and godless arrogance that threatens the people of God and the biblical worldview today. Wildly, Philistine does not end here and now with us. Philistine is archetypical of the final godless aggression that will be present at the Battle of Armageddon. My thesis will present a concise and bold conclusion regarding Philistine and its role throughout the historic past of Judeo-Christianity and the continued influences and impact of the Philistine in our “real-time” moments of faith.
The youngest son of Jesse (David the shepherd boy) negotiated his way to the battlefront in the Valley of Elah (Palestine-Israeli border), where Goliath taunted and defiantly mocked the God of Israel. David asked, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine who dares defy the armies of the Lord?” This historic and faith-defining question haunts Christians of biblical faith to this very day. Does not the spirit of Philistine continue to defy and taunt the people of God? If so, we will find out why. From the historical and biblical context of the Ark of the Covenant being stolen from a disobedient Israel to answering the bigger question, “Who is Philistine?” who would dare take it? We will leave no stone unturned. We will identify the physical and spiritual manifestations of Philistine as well as define the spiritual symbolism and prophetic probabilities of Philistine. Evidence will be presented – conclusions will be made – battle lines will be drawn – and the community of the Reunion Church will pray down the armies of Jehovah Sabaoth to go before us as we stand face to face with Philistine.
A Familiar Story
1 Samuel 17:18-26 Now Saul and they and all the men of Israel were in the Valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. 20 And David rose early in the morning and left the sheep with a keeper and took the provisions and went, as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the encampment as the host was going out to the battle line, shouting the war cry. 21 And Israel and the Philistines drew up for battle, army against army. 22 And David left the things in charge of the keeper of the baggage and ran to the ranks and went and greeted his brothers. 23 As he talked with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him. 24 All the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were much afraid. 25 And the men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel. And the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father’s house free in Israel.” 26 And David said to the men who stood by him, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” ESV
Incredible Connections and Biblical Foreshadows
There are many incredible connections and biblical foreshadows that will be talked about during this series Philistine. There are a few that are profoundly connected to this story of David and Goliath and the battle in the Valley of Elah between the two.
David and Goliath (Philistine) and the Battle of Armageddon:
In the Hebrew alphabet, the 13th letter is mem [ מ ], which has, as does every letter in their alphabet, a numerical value. The number value for “mem” is 40. In the Hebrew oral tradition, the number 40 represents “trial and testing.” For 40 days, Goliath, the Philistine, stands before the armies of King Saul and Israel in the Valley of Elah to defy, mock, and curse their God, Jehovah. On the 40th day, God used David to stop the Philistine. The city of Megiddo and the Valley of Armageddon are precisely 40 miles northeast of the Valley of Elah, just east of the border between present-day Palestine and Israel. In both battles, the enemies of God appear invincible, and they both stand in public defiance and irreverence to openly discredit and mock God and the people who believe in Him. In both, the target for the hatred and destruction is Israel and the people of God. There is also another 40 number of significance that has relevance here. Luke chapter 4 tells us, “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit was led into the wilderness, where for 40 days he was tempted by the devil”, he met temptation the test of His enemy on the field of battle and emerged victorious.
Goliath and the Antichrist:
The book of Revelation says that the number 666 is the number of the Antichrist. As already stated, numbers are clearly symbolic and carry significance in the Bible. There are many of the Hebrew rabbis and New Testament scholars who believe Goliath bears the number of the Antichrist as well. They make connections based on the number 6. Goliath height is 6 cubits. The description of his weapons and armor shows 6 items. His spear’s head weight is “600 shekels of iron,” which gives a clear connection to the number of the Antichrist. Also interesting is that Goliath was a Nephilim descendant/hybrid of Genesis 6, “giant people.” They, in turn, produced an offspring from the Anakites, who would eventually be known as the Philistine – who would eventually be known to the modern world as Palestinians. Another number 6 connection is found in 2 Samuel 21, where Goliath’s four brothers, when slain, were discovered to have 6 fingers and 6 toes on their hands and feet.
Goliath as a Giant Foreshadow: Spirit of Philistine Reminding of Israel’s Failure, Faults, and Fear
Goliath was a daunting symbol of Israel’s failure, faults, and fears. Failures that cause crippling self-doubt. Faults that expose weak moral character. Fears that undermine trust and faith in God. Philistine Goliath shows up each morning in the battlefield of our mind and spirit to mock us for placing our faith in a God who makes promises and covenants and then waits on fulfillment – He waits for us to become who He alone wants us to be. Philistine Goliath reminds both Israel and the people of God that the enemy before us is too big and too great for us alone to overcome. The relentless power of psychological and emotional warfare versus the faith and trust required in the spiritual warfare of righteousness seems too big, too great. We are confronted by our enemy Philistine/Goliath to recite our failures and remind us of our faults in which we have failed in our covenant with God; we are now open to be cursed, taunted, and mocked by the enemy of God using as a weapon our most personal and private fears. In the meantime, God waits for us to trust in Him more than we trust ourselves, to fear Him more than we fear Philistine/Goliath, and finally, He waits patiently for us to become His righteousness and not our own. Until then…
Biblical Context – (I Samuel 17:16-51)
Verses 16–24
The standoff between the encamped armies of the Philistines and Israelites continued for at least “forty days,” a situation that would have strained the resources of the impoverished Israelite monarchy. This lengthy standoff also would have made life difficult for individual Israelite families since this event would have occurred during the spring or summer when adult males would have been needed for agricultural responsibilities. At the beginning and end of each day during that time, Goliath stepped forward to taunt the Israelites.
The families of the soldiers supplied the rations for their relatives and others in the ranks. David bore the responsibility of transporting the foodstuffs to his three brothers as well as “the leader of the thousand” (“commander of their unit”). At the first sign of morning light on the horizon, David “left the flock with a shepherd.”
Though the journey exceeded fifteen miles, David arrived at the Israelite camp early in the morning, “as the army was going out to its battle positions shouting the war cry” but avoiding any open engagement. Dutifully, David first handed the provisions over to the supply officer and then “ran to the battle lines” and “checked on his brothers’ condition.”
Being on the front lines at this hour of the morning, David was, for the first time, able to witness Goliath, “the champion from Gath,” as he took his place between the two armies. David heard Goliath’s words, and perhaps another first for the young shepherd was hearing Jehovah El’ Elyon being ridiculed. David also witnessed his fellow Israelites’ reactions to this desecration: “They all ran from him in great fear.”
Verses 25–30
Word had been spread among the soldiers that Saul had determined that Israel should take up Goliath’s challenge. Though Saul himself would not personally fight the giant, he would reward anyone who successfully did so. The offer to “give him his daughter in marriage” was particularly appealing, for it would provide access to “privileges and perks” reserved for the royal household.
David was deeply troubled that a Philistine, who was uncircumcised and therefore outside of a covenant relationship with the Lord, would so boldly heap shame (defy) “the armies of the living God.” Goliath’s words were not just an insult directed against the Israelite army; they were also an assault on “the living God,” since the army was composed of members of the Lord’s covenant community. David asked for and received further information from “the men standing near him.”
David’s type of questioning was irritating to Eliab, his oldest brother and one of the Israeli commanders. More than likely, it was embarrassing to see his teenage brother on the battlefield questioning the courage and faith of his troops. Eliab accused David of chasing the limelight of battle while abandoning his job as a shepherd. Of course, Eliab’s accusation was false, but not without suspicion. If King Saul were to die in battle, Eliab would have been next in line to succeed him as General and King.
The concluding clause of David’s response to Eliab’s questioning of David’s motives is brief but problematic. David’s final response to Eliab, in the literal Hebrew—“Is there not just cause?”
Verses 31–37
David’s outrage sparked by Goliath’s blasphemies, as well as his intense interest in the particulars of the royal offer, did not escape the attention of others. Details of David’s reaction were even “reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him.” David’s words to the king express youthful idealism in its full glory. First, he challenged those around him—all of whom were older than he—to stop being disheartened (“Let not the human heart fall”). Then he proposed an astonishing solution to Israel’s humiliation and faithless fear: he himself would “go and fight” Philistine – Goliath.
Saul immediately shuts down David’s offer. Then, speaking with the battle-tested voice of reason, he reminded David of some obvious but apparently overlooked facts: “You are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth.” Clearly, this suggests that David was under twenty years of age, the earliest age at which an Israelite was permitted to serve in the military. Saul’s rejection of David’s offer should have concluded the meeting.
However, David’s idealism was exceeded only by his determination and his faith in the Lord. Consequently, he continued his efforts to change the king’s heart. This time, David dropped his sermonizing, choosing instead to emphasize his credentials and experience: literally, “this shepherd was your servant,” who had already been victorious in two previous mortal combats, one with a lion and one with a bear. In each case, David “went after” the beast and “struck it.” Then, when the wild animal “turned on” David, he “seized it by its hair, struck it, and killed it.”
To David’s way of thinking, “the uncircumcised Philistine” had reduced himself to the level of a wild animal “because he … defied the armies of the living God”. He concluded that fighting Goliath would be just another fight with a wild beast. The Lord had delivered David “from the hand [“paw”] of the lion and the hand [“paw”] of the bear,” and he would deliver him “from the hand of this Philistine.”
David’s faith and courage were as extraordinary as his logic was simple. The king, disarmed by David’s presentation, decided to make what was perhaps the greatest military gamble of his career and accept David’s offer. In a word of blessing that was certainly also a prayer, Saul asked that “the LORD be with” David in his fight.
Verses 38–40
In addition to the prayerful blessing, Saul also gave David the use of the king’s own battle gear. Saul’s battle gear included a basic “tunic” worn next to the skin, “a coat of armor” worn over the cloth garment, a helmet, and a sword.
David was uncomfortable in Saul’s gear, and he removed it. The writer’s inclusion of the battle gear should indicate the greater value of divine enablement over human devices; second and more importantly, to symbolize David’s rejection of Saul’s approach to kingship. David would wear none of it. Instead, he would identify with the great shepherd-leaders of the Torah—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and especially Moses—and live by faith in the promises of God.
Accordingly, David armed himself as a shepherd would have, with a stick and a sling. He “took his staff in his hand.” The stick, while a crude weapon, could have afforded some protection in close combat. David also took some stones from the bottom of the wadi. Because the stones were intended for use “with his sling” in battle, they probably were about the size of typical ancient Near Eastern slingstones—as big as tennis balls.
The Philistines feared and relied on the conventional weapons of the day, but David would conquer them with a stick and stones. Armed with these provisions, David “approached the Philistine.”
Verses 41–44
The events of the fatal confrontation now unfold rapidly as Goliath and his shield-bearer advance toward David. As Goliath drew near, he noticed for the first time the details of his opponent. Looking David in the face, he “saw that he was only a boy, ruddy and handsome.” Winning a contest against a crudely armed, underage, undertrained opponent would not be a particularly prestigious win for the great Philistine warrior, “and he despised” David.
In order to make the most of the contest, however, Goliath began a psychological assault. First, he insulted David’s most prominent weapon—the stick in his hand, suggesting that it was an instrument fit only for spanking a dog. Next, he “cursed David by his gods”. The author’s use of the term “cursed” (Hebrew; qālal) is theologically significant; readers knowledgeable of the Torah would know that by cursing this son of Abraham, Goliath was bringing down the Lord’s curse on himself (Genesis 12:3)—a favorable outcome to the battle (from an Israelite perspective!) was thus assured. Finally, Goliath defiantly and arrogantly boasted (trash talk) to disable and kill David, desecrate his corpse, and then deny him an honorable burial.
Verses 45–47
Not intimidated by the Philistine’s words, David launched his own verbal comebacks. He began by demonstrating that he was not going into the battle ignorantly: he was fully aware of Goliath’s big arsenal—“sword, spear, and javelin.”
David also proved he was aware of the greatest of his own military resources, “the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel” (Psalm 18:10–12). David also showed an awareness that Goliath had committed a capital crime by insulting, and thus blaspheming, the God of Israel. According to the Torah, any individual guilty of blasphemy—even a non-Israelite—must be stoned (Leviticus 24:16). Ironically, David’s use of the sling and stones was motivated by the fact that he was skillful in their use, and the weapon was what he was confident with.
As David viewed it, Goliath was outnumbered and would soon be overpowered, for the Lord would fight with David against the giant. In the battle that would occur “this day,” the Lord would “hand [Goliath] over” to David; then, for his part, the young shepherd would “strike [Goliath] down and cut off [his] head.” David’s efforts would not be limited to slaying Goliath; he also would slaughter and humiliate the Philistine army. Yet the Philistines would not die in vain. In fact, their destruction would serve a high theological purpose; it would be a revelatory event by which “the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.”
Achieving a depth of insight remarkable for a person of any age, David perceived that the events of this day would give rise to narrative accounts that would reveal the Lord’s power and reality to all who might hear them. Eyewitnesses to the ensuing battle would learn an additional truth from the Lord, “that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves, for the battle is the LORD’S.”
In choosing David, God revealed a theological purpose in warfare. This perspective is one that must be examined because it is of utmost importance for understanding the mindset of orthodox Israelites in the Old Testament. For David—and, we judge, for all Old Testament Israelites of true faith in God—armed conflict was fundamentally a religious event. Only when the Lord willed it were Israelites under David’s command to engage in it. And when the Lord ordained battle for David’s troops, it was to be performed in accordance with divine directives. Furthermore, because soldiers were performing God’s work, only individuals who were in a state of ritual purity were to participate in military missions. The Lord was the one who gave victory to David and his troops in battle, and thus the Lord alone was worthy of praise for David’s and Israel’s military successes.
Verses 48–51
The conflict reached a climax as words ceased, and both parties moved toward one another for battle. David was clearly the more dynamic combatant; whereas as Goliath merely “walked”, David “ran quickly” to meet him.
David’s weapon of choice against Goliath (the sling) provided him with a tremendous advantage over the weapons at Goliath’s disposal. All of Goliath’s weapons were of value only in close combat; even the giant’s spear, because it weighed over fifteen pounds, could not have been used effectively against an opponent standing more than a few feet away. On the other hand, David could use his sling with deadly force from comparatively great distances. With his youthful vigor and unencumbered by heavy armor and weaponry, David could quickly move to locations from which he could hurl the tennis ball-sized stones directly at Goliath.
Taking a single stone, David felled the Philistine with facility and deadly accuracy. The rock was hurled with such great force that it crushed the frontal bone of Goliath’s cranium and “sank into his forehead.” In accordance with the requirement of the Torah (Leviticus 24:16), “without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.”
David had achieved a stunning victory over the Philistine. Immediately after Goliath died, David followed the battlefield customs of the day by stripping the dead man of his weapon and decapitating the corpse. These final acts against the giant served as undeniable proof to the Philistines “that their hero was dead.” In shock and confusion, “they turned and ran” in a westerly direction, away from the Israelites.
Conclusion
Goliath dies on the battlefield of the Valley of Elah. The armies of Philistine ran for nearly five miles that morning before they were caught and slain, from Gath to Ekron to Shaarahim. Yet, for Israel and the people of God, the “spirit of Philistine” continues to defy and taunt – failures, faults, and fears.
Philistine (continues)…
Philistine is the godless disdain and rebellious defiance of the God of heaven and earth. As such, any person, place, or thing that openly defies and denies the living God of the Bible, and arrogantly defies and denies the authority of God as Creator of life and all living things is Philistine. From Abraham and Abimelech, to Samson and Delilah, from David and Goliath, to the Battle of Armageddon, Philistine is both a manifest spirit and a physical reality – a mindset and a condition of the heart. Philistine is past, present, and prophetic. Even as it was in “the days of old,” the people of God will stand in His name to contend and defend against those who have defied Him – Philistine.
Introduction
The next eight weeks will not only enlighten and teach us, but will also challenge, inspire, prepare, and equip us for what is to come. The series Philistine is an alarming deep dive into the biblical significance of an ancient people group who have been uniquely intertwined with God and His people for centuries. And now, remarkably, Philistine can be seen as spiritually paradigmatic of the very defiance and godless arrogance that threatens the people of God and the biblical worldview today. Wildly, Philistine does not end here and now with us. Philistine is archetypical of the final godless aggression that will be present at the Battle of Armageddon. My thesis will present a concise and bold conclusion regarding Philistine and its role throughout the historic past of Judeo-Christianity and the continued influences and impact of the Philistine in our “real-time” moments of faith.
The youngest son of Jesse (David the shepherd boy) negotiated his way to the battlefront in the Valley of Elah (Palestine-Israeli border), where Goliath taunted and defiantly mocked the God of Israel. David asked, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine who dares defy the armies of the Lord?” This historic and faith-defining question haunts Christians of biblical faith to this very day. Does not the spirit of Philistine continue to defy and taunt the people of God? If so, we will find out why. From the historical and biblical context of the Ark of the Covenant being stolen from a disobedient Israel to answering the bigger question, “Who is Philistine?” who would dare take it? We will leave no stone unturned. We will identify the physical and spiritual manifestations of Philistine as well as define the spiritual symbolism and prophetic probabilities of Philistine. Evidence will be presented – conclusions will be made – battle lines will be drawn – and the community of the Reunion Church will pray down the armies of Jehovah Sabaoth to go before us as we stand face to face with Philistine.
A Familiar Story
1 Samuel 17:18-26 Now Saul and they and all the men of Israel were in the Valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. 20 And David rose early in the morning and left the sheep with a keeper and took the provisions and went, as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the encampment as the host was going out to the battle line, shouting the war cry. 21 And Israel and the Philistines drew up for battle, army against army. 22 And David left the things in charge of the keeper of the baggage and ran to the ranks and went and greeted his brothers. 23 As he talked with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him. 24 All the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were much afraid. 25 And the men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel. And the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father’s house free in Israel.” 26 And David said to the men who stood by him, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” ESV
Incredible Connections and Biblical Foreshadows
There are many incredible connections and biblical foreshadows that will be talked about during this series Philistine. There are a few that are profoundly connected to this story of David and Goliath and the battle in the Valley of Elah between the two.
David and Goliath (Philistine) and the Battle of Armageddon:
In the Hebrew alphabet, the 13th letter is mem [ מ ], which has, as does every letter in their alphabet, a numerical value. The number value for “mem” is 40. In the Hebrew oral tradition, the number 40 represents “trial and testing.” For 40 days, Goliath, the Philistine, stands before the armies of King Saul and Israel in the Valley of Elah to defy, mock, and curse their God, Jehovah. On the 40th day, God used David to stop the Philistine. The city of Megiddo and the Valley of Armageddon are precisely 40 miles northeast of the Valley of Elah, just east of the border between present-day Palestine and Israel. In both battles, the enemies of God appear invincible, and they both stand in public defiance and irreverence to openly discredit and mock God and the people who believe in Him. In both, the target for the hatred and destruction is Israel and the people of God. There is also another 40 number of significance that has relevance here. Luke chapter 4 tells us, “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit was led into the wilderness, where for 40 days he was tempted by the devil”, he met temptation the test of His enemy on the field of battle and emerged victorious.
Goliath and the Antichrist:
The book of Revelation says that the number 666 is the number of the Antichrist. As already stated, numbers are clearly symbolic and carry significance in the Bible. There are many of the Hebrew rabbis and New Testament scholars who believe Goliath bears the number of the Antichrist as well. They make connections based on the number 6. Goliath height is 6 cubits. The description of his weapons and armor shows 6 items. His spear’s head weight is “600 shekels of iron,” which gives a clear connection to the number of the Antichrist. Also interesting is that Goliath was a Nephilim descendant/hybrid of Genesis 6, “giant people.” They, in turn, produced an offspring from the Anakites, who would eventually be known as the Philistine – who would eventually be known to the modern world as Palestinians. Another number 6 connection is found in 2 Samuel 21, where Goliath’s four brothers, when slain, were discovered to have 6 fingers and 6 toes on their hands and feet.
Goliath as a Giant Foreshadow: Spirit of Philistine Reminding of Israel’s Failure, Faults, and Fear
Goliath was a daunting symbol of Israel’s failure, faults, and fears. Failures that cause crippling self-doubt. Faults that expose weak moral character. Fears that undermine trust and faith in God. Philistine Goliath shows up each morning in the battlefield of our mind and spirit to mock us for placing our faith in a God who makes promises and covenants and then waits on fulfillment – He waits for us to become who He alone wants us to be. Philistine Goliath reminds both Israel and the people of God that the enemy before us is too big and too great for us alone to overcome. The relentless power of psychological and emotional warfare versus the faith and trust required in the spiritual warfare of righteousness seems too big, too great. We are confronted by our enemy Philistine/Goliath to recite our failures and remind us of our faults in which we have failed in our covenant with God; we are now open to be cursed, taunted, and mocked by the enemy of God using as a weapon our most personal and private fears. In the meantime, God waits for us to trust in Him more than we trust ourselves, to fear Him more than we fear Philistine/Goliath, and finally, He waits patiently for us to become His righteousness and not our own. Until then…
Biblical Context – (I Samuel 17:16-51)
Verses 16–24
The standoff between the encamped armies of the Philistines and Israelites continued for at least “forty days,” a situation that would have strained the resources of the impoverished Israelite monarchy. This lengthy standoff also would have made life difficult for individual Israelite families since this event would have occurred during the spring or summer when adult males would have been needed for agricultural responsibilities. At the beginning and end of each day during that time, Goliath stepped forward to taunt the Israelites.
The families of the soldiers supplied the rations for their relatives and others in the ranks. David bore the responsibility of transporting the foodstuffs to his three brothers as well as “the leader of the thousand” (“commander of their unit”). At the first sign of morning light on the horizon, David “left the flock with a shepherd.”
Though the journey exceeded fifteen miles, David arrived at the Israelite camp early in the morning, “as the army was going out to its battle positions shouting the war cry” but avoiding any open engagement. Dutifully, David first handed the provisions over to the supply officer and then “ran to the battle lines” and “checked on his brothers’ condition.”
Being on the front lines at this hour of the morning, David was, for the first time, able to witness Goliath, “the champion from Gath,” as he took his place between the two armies. David heard Goliath’s words, and perhaps another first for the young shepherd was hearing Jehovah El’ Elyon being ridiculed. David also witnessed his fellow Israelites’ reactions to this desecration: “They all ran from him in great fear.”
Verses 25–30
Word had been spread among the soldiers that Saul had determined that Israel should take up Goliath’s challenge. Though Saul himself would not personally fight the giant, he would reward anyone who successfully did so. The offer to “give him his daughter in marriage” was particularly appealing, for it would provide access to “privileges and perks” reserved for the royal household.
David was deeply troubled that a Philistine, who was uncircumcised and therefore outside of a covenant relationship with the Lord, would so boldly heap shame (defy) “the armies of the living God.” Goliath’s words were not just an insult directed against the Israelite army; they were also an assault on “the living God,” since the army was composed of members of the Lord’s covenant community. David asked for and received further information from “the men standing near him.”
David’s type of questioning was irritating to Eliab, his oldest brother and one of the Israeli commanders. More than likely, it was embarrassing to see his teenage brother on the battlefield questioning the courage and faith of his troops. Eliab accused David of chasing the limelight of battle while abandoning his job as a shepherd. Of course, Eliab’s accusation was false, but not without suspicion. If King Saul were to die in battle, Eliab would have been next in line to succeed him as General and King.
The concluding clause of David’s response to Eliab’s questioning of David’s motives is brief but problematic. David’s final response to Eliab, in the literal Hebrew—“Is there not just cause?”
Verses 31–37
David’s outrage sparked by Goliath’s blasphemies, as well as his intense interest in the particulars of the royal offer, did not escape the attention of others. Details of David’s reaction were even “reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him.” David’s words to the king express youthful idealism in its full glory. First, he challenged those around him—all of whom were older than he—to stop being disheartened (“Let not the human heart fall”). Then he proposed an astonishing solution to Israel’s humiliation and faithless fear: he himself would “go and fight” Philistine – Goliath.
Saul immediately shuts down David’s offer. Then, speaking with the battle-tested voice of reason, he reminded David of some obvious but apparently overlooked facts: “You are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth.” Clearly, this suggests that David was under twenty years of age, the earliest age at which an Israelite was permitted to serve in the military. Saul’s rejection of David’s offer should have concluded the meeting.
However, David’s idealism was exceeded only by his determination and his faith in the Lord. Consequently, he continued his efforts to change the king’s heart. This time, David dropped his sermonizing, choosing instead to emphasize his credentials and experience: literally, “this shepherd was your servant,” who had already been victorious in two previous mortal combats, one with a lion and one with a bear. In each case, David “went after” the beast and “struck it.” Then, when the wild animal “turned on” David, he “seized it by its hair, struck it, and killed it.”
To David’s way of thinking, “the uncircumcised Philistine” had reduced himself to the level of a wild animal “because he … defied the armies of the living God”. He concluded that fighting Goliath would be just another fight with a wild beast. The Lord had delivered David “from the hand [“paw”] of the lion and the hand [“paw”] of the bear,” and he would deliver him “from the hand of this Philistine.”
David’s faith and courage were as extraordinary as his logic was simple. The king, disarmed by David’s presentation, decided to make what was perhaps the greatest military gamble of his career and accept David’s offer. In a word of blessing that was certainly also a prayer, Saul asked that “the LORD be with” David in his fight.
Verses 38–40
In addition to the prayerful blessing, Saul also gave David the use of the king’s own battle gear. Saul’s battle gear included a basic “tunic” worn next to the skin, “a coat of armor” worn over the cloth garment, a helmet, and a sword.
David was uncomfortable in Saul’s gear, and he removed it. The writer’s inclusion of the battle gear should indicate the greater value of divine enablement over human devices; second and more importantly, to symbolize David’s rejection of Saul’s approach to kingship. David would wear none of it. Instead, he would identify with the great shepherd-leaders of the Torah—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and especially Moses—and live by faith in the promises of God.
Accordingly, David armed himself as a shepherd would have, with a stick and a sling. He “took his staff in his hand.” The stick, while a crude weapon, could have afforded some protection in close combat. David also took some stones from the bottom of the wadi. Because the stones were intended for use “with his sling” in battle, they probably were about the size of typical ancient Near Eastern slingstones—as big as tennis balls.
The Philistines feared and relied on the conventional weapons of the day, but David would conquer them with a stick and stones. Armed with these provisions, David “approached the Philistine.”
Verses 41–44
The events of the fatal confrontation now unfold rapidly as Goliath and his shield-bearer advance toward David. As Goliath drew near, he noticed for the first time the details of his opponent. Looking David in the face, he “saw that he was only a boy, ruddy and handsome.” Winning a contest against a crudely armed, underage, undertrained opponent would not be a particularly prestigious win for the great Philistine warrior, “and he despised” David.
In order to make the most of the contest, however, Goliath began a psychological assault. First, he insulted David’s most prominent weapon—the stick in his hand, suggesting that it was an instrument fit only for spanking a dog. Next, he “cursed David by his gods”. The author’s use of the term “cursed” (Hebrew; qālal) is theologically significant; readers knowledgeable of the Torah would know that by cursing this son of Abraham, Goliath was bringing down the Lord’s curse on himself (Genesis 12:3)—a favorable outcome to the battle (from an Israelite perspective!) was thus assured. Finally, Goliath defiantly and arrogantly boasted (trash talk) to disable and kill David, desecrate his corpse, and then deny him an honorable burial.
Verses 45–47
Not intimidated by the Philistine’s words, David launched his own verbal comebacks. He began by demonstrating that he was not going into the battle ignorantly: he was fully aware of Goliath’s big arsenal—“sword, spear, and javelin.”
- a bronze helmet (approx. 30 pounds)
- a bronze coat of mail weighing 5,000 shekels (150 pounds)
- bronze greaves (shins and legs)
- a bronze javelin
- a spear shaft resembling a weaver’s beam (approx. 15 pounds)
- a spear point weighing 600 shekels of iron (approx. 15 pounds)
David also proved he was aware of the greatest of his own military resources, “the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel” (Psalm 18:10–12). David also showed an awareness that Goliath had committed a capital crime by insulting, and thus blaspheming, the God of Israel. According to the Torah, any individual guilty of blasphemy—even a non-Israelite—must be stoned (Leviticus 24:16). Ironically, David’s use of the sling and stones was motivated by the fact that he was skillful in their use, and the weapon was what he was confident with.
As David viewed it, Goliath was outnumbered and would soon be overpowered, for the Lord would fight with David against the giant. In the battle that would occur “this day,” the Lord would “hand [Goliath] over” to David; then, for his part, the young shepherd would “strike [Goliath] down and cut off [his] head.” David’s efforts would not be limited to slaying Goliath; he also would slaughter and humiliate the Philistine army. Yet the Philistines would not die in vain. In fact, their destruction would serve a high theological purpose; it would be a revelatory event by which “the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.”
Achieving a depth of insight remarkable for a person of any age, David perceived that the events of this day would give rise to narrative accounts that would reveal the Lord’s power and reality to all who might hear them. Eyewitnesses to the ensuing battle would learn an additional truth from the Lord, “that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves, for the battle is the LORD’S.”
In choosing David, God revealed a theological purpose in warfare. This perspective is one that must be examined because it is of utmost importance for understanding the mindset of orthodox Israelites in the Old Testament. For David—and, we judge, for all Old Testament Israelites of true faith in God—armed conflict was fundamentally a religious event. Only when the Lord willed it were Israelites under David’s command to engage in it. And when the Lord ordained battle for David’s troops, it was to be performed in accordance with divine directives. Furthermore, because soldiers were performing God’s work, only individuals who were in a state of ritual purity were to participate in military missions. The Lord was the one who gave victory to David and his troops in battle, and thus the Lord alone was worthy of praise for David’s and Israel’s military successes.
Verses 48–51
The conflict reached a climax as words ceased, and both parties moved toward one another for battle. David was clearly the more dynamic combatant; whereas as Goliath merely “walked”, David “ran quickly” to meet him.
David’s weapon of choice against Goliath (the sling) provided him with a tremendous advantage over the weapons at Goliath’s disposal. All of Goliath’s weapons were of value only in close combat; even the giant’s spear, because it weighed over fifteen pounds, could not have been used effectively against an opponent standing more than a few feet away. On the other hand, David could use his sling with deadly force from comparatively great distances. With his youthful vigor and unencumbered by heavy armor and weaponry, David could quickly move to locations from which he could hurl the tennis ball-sized stones directly at Goliath.
Taking a single stone, David felled the Philistine with facility and deadly accuracy. The rock was hurled with such great force that it crushed the frontal bone of Goliath’s cranium and “sank into his forehead.” In accordance with the requirement of the Torah (Leviticus 24:16), “without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.”
David had achieved a stunning victory over the Philistine. Immediately after Goliath died, David followed the battlefield customs of the day by stripping the dead man of his weapon and decapitating the corpse. These final acts against the giant served as undeniable proof to the Philistines “that their hero was dead.” In shock and confusion, “they turned and ran” in a westerly direction, away from the Israelites.
Conclusion
Goliath dies on the battlefield of the Valley of Elah. The armies of Philistine ran for nearly five miles that morning before they were caught and slain, from Gath to Ekron to Shaarahim. Yet, for Israel and the people of God, the “spirit of Philistine” continues to defy and taunt – failures, faults, and fears.
Philistine (continues)…
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