1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ

70 Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 Samuel 2007 EditionProbably David's stones were about the size of a modern baseball or even larger. Davidbeat Goliath, not with the weapons of a warrior, but with the tools of a shepherd. 217David's victory by faith 17:41-49Goliath disdained David because the lad had no battle scars; he was not a warrior at allbut simply a fresh-faced boy (v. 42). Goliath assumed that he would win because hisphysical power and armaments were superior. As often, pride preceded his fall (Prov.16:18).Verses 45-47 give the clearest expression to David's faith in Yahweh. He viewed Yahwehas the commander of Israel's armies, a view of God that Saul never accepted but whichmade the difference between Saul's failure and David's success as the Lord's anointed (v.45). He also saw God as the real deliverer of Israel (v. 46). Furthermore David wasjealous for the reputation of God (v. 47), not his own glory, which so preoccupied Saul.His faith must have rested on God's promises concerning victory against the enemies ofGod's people for confidence in Himself and obedience to His word (Gen. 12:3; Deut.31:1-8; Josh. 1:1-9)."Intimidation. That's our MAJOR battle when we face giants. When theyintimidate us, we get tongue-tied. Our thoughts get confused. We forgethow to pray. We focus on the odds against us. We forget whom werepresent, and we stand there with our knees knocking. I wonder what Godmust think, when all the while He has promised us, 'My power isavailable. There's no one on this earth greater. You trust Me.' . . ."David lived by a very simple principle: nothing to prove, nothing to lose.He didn't try to impress anybody in the army of Israel. He didn't try toimpress his brothers. He didn't even try to impress God. He just ran tomeet Goliath." 218The results of David's victory 17:50-58God used a humble weapon to give His people a great victory in response to one person'sfaith. This is another instance of God bringing blessing to and through a person whocommitted himself to simply believing and obeying God's Word (cf. 14:1). Stoning wasthe penalty for blasphemy in Israel (Lev. 24:16; Deut. 17:7). Usually death by stoningrequired many large stones, but David executed this Philistine blasphemer with only onestone. God's unseen hand propelled and directed it. One small stone was all God neededto get what He wanted done.217 Critics of the Bible have tried to prove that David did not really kill Goliath as the Bible says. NorvelleWallace Sharpe, "David, Elhanan, and the Literary Digest," Bibliotheca Sacra 86 (July 1929):319-26,rebutted such an attempt.218 Swindoll, p. 46.