1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ

2007 Edition Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 Samuel 69David continued to inquire about the prize for slaying Goliath, probably to make sure heunderstood what he would risk his life to obtain.David's qualifications to fight Goliath 17:31-40When David volunteered to be Israel's champion, Saul scoffed at him because heevaluated David's chances for success solely in physical terms, as usual. The Hebrewword na'ar translated "youth" (v. 33) describes an older teenager (cf. 3:1)."The opposite of the fear of the Lord is the fear of man. No greatercontrast of these opposing fears could be presented than when Davidconfronted Goliath. Saul and his men feared Goliath the man, but Davidby virtue of his fear of Yahweh did not." 211David responded that if that was the criterion Saul wanted to use he had already defeatedtwo formidable beasts (v. 34). However, David's real confidence lay in the fact thatGoliath had set himself against the living God (v. 36). David viewed Goliath as justanother predator that was threatening the safety of God's flock, Israel, and the reputationof Israel's God. 212 He gave credit to God for allowing him to kill the lion and the bear (v.37). The same faith in Yahweh had inspired Jonathan's deed of valor (14:6). Saul againshowed that he trusted in material things for success by arming David as he did (v. 38). 213David preferred the simple weapon that he could handle best (v. 40)."Nothing comes more naturally to people than trying to get someone tofight our battles the way we would were we fighting them." 214Some students of this passage have suggested that David chose five stones becauseGoliath had four brothers, and he wanted to be ready to attack them too. However there isno indication in the text that David had any concern for them or even that they werepresent at this battle. He probably chose five stones simply so he would have some inreserve if his first shot missed its mark.The sling David used was not the toy catapult with which children play, namely, aslingshot. It was an ancient offensive weapon that shepherds also used to control theirsheep. Shepherds usually made a sling out of a long, thin strip of leather and formed apouch in its middle. Talented slingers could propel small objects hundreds of feet at veryhigh speeds with great accuracy (cf. Judg. 20:16). 215 Pictures of slings and stones fromthis time show the stones typically being from two to three inches in diameter. 216211 Homer Heater Jr., "Young David and the Practice of Wisdom," in Integrity of Heart, Skillfulness ofHands, p. 53.212 See T. A. Boogaart, "History and Drama in the Story of David and Goliath," Reformed Review 38(1985):209.213 Gordon, p. 157, wrote that Saul tried to turn David into an armadillo.214 Chafin, p. 145.215 Unger's Bible Dictionary, s.v. "Armor."216 See Ovid R. Sellers, "Sling Stones in Biblical Times," Biblical Archaeologist 2:4 (1939):41-42, 44.