1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ
1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ
1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ
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70 Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 <strong>Samuel</strong> 2007 EditionProbably David's stones were about the size <strong>of</strong> a modern baseball or even larger. Davidbeat Goliath, not with the weapons <strong>of</strong> a warrior, but with the tools <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong>ten, 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 <strong>of</strong> Israel's armies, a view <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong> Israel (v. 46). Furthermore David wasjealous for the reputation <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong>God'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 <strong>of</strong> Israel. He didn't try toimpress his brothers. He didn't even try to impress God. He just ran tomeet Goliath." 218The results <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong> 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.