1st SAMUEL CHAPTER 17

1 Samuel Study

by

Bill Fritz (2017)

David Accepts Goliath’s

Challenge

Introduction

For the past 16 presentations of Samuel we discussed commentaries by three commentary sources: Helen Pocock  Robert Jamieson, A. R. ,Fausset and David Brown  and Adam Clarke

We will now return to the format we used when we studded the New Testament and once again post these studies on the blog entitled Christian Lessons.  A link to these lessons may be found on our church web site cmafellowshipbible.org

In chapter 17 we will be studding how a young lad accomplished, with God’s help, that which the entire army of Israel could not.  This study will be broken into three sections.

1. Goliath’s Challenge ……………………………………verses 1-19
2. David Accepts the Challenge ……………………..Verses 20-30
3. David Kills Goliath …………………………………….. Verses 31-46

We will be studding these verses with two goals in mind.

1. To gain a clearer understanding of these passages
2. To take away practical guidance for our daily lives.

Goliath’s Challenge

1 Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle; and they were gathered at Socoh which belongs to Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.
2 Saul and the men of Israel were gathered and camped in the valley of Elah, and drew up in battle array to encounter the Philistines.
3 The Philistines stood on the mountain on one side while Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with the valley between them.

Sucoh is about 27 kilometres (17 miles) south west of Jerusalem.

The philistines not wanting to loose lives in a battle they knew they would surely win, decided on a battle of champions.  Goliath was chosen to oppose the Israelite challenger. However, he was in fact opposing God. It is believed this battle was fought 10 to 12 years after the war with the Amalekites.

4 Then a champion came out from the armies of the Philistines named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.

A cubit is thought to be approximately 18 inches, or the distance from the tip of the middle finger to the bottom of the elbow.  According to the king James biblical dictionary [5] a span is: “The space from the end of the thumb to the end of the little finger when extended; nine inches; the eighth of a fathom.” doing some quick math Goliath was 9.75 feet tall.

5 He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was clothed with scale-armor which weighed five thousand shekels of bronze.

This must have been an impressive sight with the sun's light setting the metal a blaze.  It is estimated this coat of mail weight in English weights and measures is exactly one hundred and fifty-six pounds four ounces.  As we can imagine this armor would be no match for a pebble.

6 He also had bronze greaves on his legs and a bronze javelin slung between his shoulders.

Anyone who took track and field in school knows what a javelin is.  However, javelins were not for sport but rather a lethal weapon when thrown by trained worrier.

7 The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and the head of his spear weighed six hundred shekels of iron; his shield-carrier also walked before him.

The tip of the javelin was made of iron which is stronger than brass.  This iron tip on the javelin would have pierced brass armor of the enemy.  Goliath’s did not carry his own shield except in battle.  The shield would have been very heavy and would have sapped the strength of any combatant. 

8 He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel and said to them, “Why do you come out to draw up in battle array? Am I not the Philistine and you servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves and let him come down to me.
9 “If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will become your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall become our servants and serve us.”

Taunting ones enemies was a common practice at this time.  Those of you who have watched boxing have seen this type of behavior before a fight.  Creating a feeling of anger in someone by taunting them, may cause that person not to think clearly.  Thereby, causing that person to make mistakes.

10 Again the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day; give me a man that we may fight together.”
11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.

The Philistine  giant used abusive demeaning language to frightened Saul (no small man himself).  This fear like a plague spread throughout Saul’s army.  Saul lost his faith and trust in God, surrendering himself instead to fear.   Fear is a natural emotion in all  men.  However, fear can be subdued by faith in God as our protector.  God has reassured us that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

12 Now David was the son of the Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, whose name was Jesse, and he had eight sons. And Jesse was old in the days of Saul, advanced in years among men.
13 The three older sons of Jesse had gone after Saul to the battle. And the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and the second to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.

Jesse was too old to fight in Saul’s army.  However, his three oldest sons were young, strong fit to serve.  As we will see in the next verse David would also be of service to Saul.

14 David was the youngest. Now the three oldest followed Saul,
15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s flock at Bethlehem.

Saul found David’s talent with the harp and his voice soothing.  He often called David to leave his flock and minister to him.  David was conscientious and would not have left the sheep unattended as we will see in verse 20. 

16 The Philistine came forward morning and evening for forty days and took his stand.

Forty is another significant number in our Bible.  Here is an example:

The rains (in Noah's day) fell for 40 days and nights (Genesis 7:4).  Israel ate Manna for 40 years (Exodus 16:35). Moses was with God in the mount, 40 days and nights (Exodus 24:18). Moses was again with God 40 days and 40 nights (Exodus 34:28). Moses led Israel from Egypt at age 80 (2 times 40), and after 40 years in the wilderness, died at 120 (3 times 40; Deuteronomy 34:7). 

What is the significance of the number 40?  The number 40 is thought to be the number of testing or judgment. [6]

17 Then Jesse said to David his son, “Take now for your brothers an ephah of this roasted grain and these ten loaves and run to the camp to your brothers.
18 “Bring also these ten cuts of cheese to the commander of their thousand, and look into the welfare of your brothers, and bring back news of them.
19 “For Saul and they and all the men of Israel are in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.”

Unlike our modern military the Israeli army was not support by rations and relied on their family to feed them.  An ephah of roasted grain would have been about 23 liters. Not only was Jesse worried about his sons, he also yearned for news of the battle.  Typically battles of that era were short in duration.  Some scholars believe that when Jesse sent the food; his sons were with Saul about Six weeks.

David Accepts the Challenge
20 So David arose early in the morning and left the flock with a keeper and took the supplies and went as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the circle of the camp while the army was going out in battle array shouting the war cry.

circle of the camp  
The circle of the camp refers to the outer defensive positions of the camp.  This circle would be composed of soldiers (ones not fit for battle) and obstacles such as carts and other non-essential items.  This perimeter would tend to slow down any invading enemy soldiers from penetrating the camp.  The war cry was meant to cause their opponent to fear them.  This cry also gave courage to the Israelite army.  Here is a map showing the battle lines of the two armies; the Philistine army is indicated in red.  

21 Israel and the Philistines drew up in battle array, army against army.

drew up in battle array  -
Each side of the conflict would gather together within ear shot but out of range of weaponry.  If possible both sides would seek high ground for this showdown, as was the case of the Philistine Israelite engagement. High ground gives strategic advantage.

22 Then David left his baggage in the care of the baggage keeper, and ran to the battle line and entered in order to greet his brothers.

23 As he was talking with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine from Gath named Goliath, was coming up from the army of the Philistines, and he spoke these same words; and David heard them.

We are not told how David found his brothers amidst thousands of other soldiers.   The important thing is God caused David to be within hearing range of Goliath.  David, whose faith was strong in the Lord, became angry when no one would stand up against Goliath.

24 When all the men of Israel saw the man, they fled from him and were greatly afraid.

As the Israeli soldiers saw this huge imposing figure of a man, fear crept into them.  The booming voice of Goliath, speaking profanities against the Israeli army, caused them to run and hide. At this point Saul could not stop his soldiers from running.  As I have said previously; I believe Saul had lost trust in God to protect them. I can surmise Saul feared the outcome of a battle against such an imposing force.

25 The men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who is coming up? Surely he is coming up to defy Israel. And it will be that 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.”

Saul offered inducements to any man who would kill Goliath.  First offering money and  then his  daughter's hand in marriage (a custom in Israel). Finally a tax free life for the family of the successful avenger. 

26 Then David spoke to the men who were standing by him, saying, “What will 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 taunt the armies of the living God?”

27 The people answered him in accord with this word, saying, “Thus it will be done for the man who kills him.”

… David spoke to the men –

All the soldiers knew of the kings inducements.  However, the young David did not know and therefore had to ask.

…that he should taunt the armies of the living God?” -
David not showing fear, and being perplexed, as to why no soldier would stand up for God against this pagan.   David saw Goliath’s insults as being directed against God’s chosen people’s army an and in effect an insult against God.

28 Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger burned against David and he said, “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your insolence and the wickedness of your heart; for you have come down in order to see the battle.”

29 But David said, “What have I done now? Was it not just a question?”

Eliab’s anger burned against David …

Why was Eliab angry at David?  The slings and arrows of anger come to the surface in the form of accusations.   In this case Eliab is accusing his young brother of neglect.   There are times when God will use a person’s anger for His own purpose.  We see God using Joseph’s brothers anger in for His purpose in Genesis 37.

David Kills Goliath

31 When the words which David spoke were heard, they told them to Saul, and he sent for him.

David asked a simple question which was relayed to the king.  At this point David must have been bewildered first by his brothers’ anger and now being summoned by the king. 

Of course we know this was all part of Gods plan to eventually seat David on the throne of Israel.

32 David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail on account of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”

Let no man’s heart fail -

David reminds Saul that God is with Israel.  David’s faith and trust in God allowed him to stand tall before the king and also the Giant Goliath.  His heart was strong.  The quotation marks in verse 32 indicate David was most likely quoting scripture.  Perhaps he was quoting Deuteronomy 20:1 “When you go out to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, is with you.”  Samuel in I Samuel 16:18  heaps praises on David calling him a mighty man of valor.

33 Then Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth while he has been a warrior from his youth.”

It is understandable that Saul would have his doubts about this young boy, unskilled in combat.  What Saul did not remember is what Samuel had said about David being a mighty man of valor and a warrior; and most importantly that God was with him.  Even as believers we sometimes see the appearance of a person only forgetting there is more to a person than what we see.  God most often uses the least likely to do great things.  He does this to show us His glory, and to teach us that nothing is impossible with God. 

 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock,

35 I went out after him and attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him.

Was David boasting? 
David trying to convince Saul to allow him to fight for Israel relayed this story.  As a shepherd David was expected to protect the flock from hungry predators with no more than a rod, staff and a sling.  Which was it a lion or a bear? 

Was this a true story or an allegory?

This story could have been the recounting of more than one instance of bravery.  A bear does not have a beard, but a lion does (V36).  Both predators hunt alone indicating more than one occurrence.

36 “Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God.”
37 And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and may the Lord be with you.”

This confrontation was not one army against another but rather Goliath against God.  We see here, what I spoke of earlier, that In ridiculing the army of Israel, Goliath was ridiculing God.  David knew the Lord was with him and if the Lord was with him then “…who could stand against him.”  Much later David would write in Psalms 76:7 God is to be feared and who can stand against an angry God.  We also see this warning in Nahum 1:6.

38 Then Saul clothed David with his garments and put a bronze helmet on his head, and he clothed him with armor.
39 David girded his sword over his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. So David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” And David took them off.

Saul being a very large man of over 6 feet in height would have had his armor and sword made especially for him.

David girded his sword over his armor and tried to walk,

Saul in giving David his armor and sword was acknowledging him as his champion the defender of Israel.   The size difference between the young boy David and Saul made it impractical for David to wear the Armor.  Saul’s sword may also have been to heavy for David to wield.  David chose to trust God for protection rather than armor made by human hands.

40 He took his stick in his hand and chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the shepherd’s bag which he had, even in his pouch, and his sling was in his hand; and he approached the Philistine. SM

He took his stick in his hand … -

David would have been skilled in the use of a sling and staff (standard equipment for a shepherd).

…chose for himself five smooth stones… -

Round smooth stones were selected to ensure a straight true flight.  Stones that are uneven or jagged would be affected by wind.

41 Then the Philistine came on and approached David, with the shield-bearer in front of him.
42 When the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth, and ruddy, with a handsome appearance.

“..shield-bearer in front of him"  -

Goliath’s shield would have been huge and Goliath would only need the shield for protection against worthy opponents.  Goliath did not perceive David as any threat. 

“…he disdained him” -

I believe Goliath was insulted at seeing David (V43).  He probably thought; how dare this king Saul, send a mere boy to fight the mighty Goliath.  The word ruddy was translated from the Hebrew word 'admoniy ad-mo-nee' or (fully) admowniy {ad-mo-nee'}; from 119; reddish (of the hair or the complexion):--red, ruddy. see HEBREW for 0119

43 The Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
44 The Philistine also said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field.”

“Am I a dog…” –

Dogs were not held in high regard, in fact, they were considered to be dirty animals, often driven from camps with sticks.  This phrase was translated from the Hebrew word keleb keh'-lab from an unused root means. To yelp, or else to attack; a dog; hence (by euphemism) a male prostitute:--dog.  We can then see Goliath was saying – do you think of me as being a lowly dog easily driven away by a stick?

45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted.

Then David said to the Philistine… -

David announces that he is to fight Goliath in the name of the God of Israel and that his faith was in him not a sword, shield, and javelin.  Goliath had taunted God and anger  boiled up in David.   David did not fear this giant because he knew Goliath was no match for the power of God.  David was confident God was with him and would use him to vanquish this enemy of God and Israel.

46 “This day the Lord will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel,
47 and that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands.”

David made it abundantly clear to Goliath that he David was an instrument of the Lord God of Israel. Many serious injuries were caused by weapons of that era not causing death.  The beheading on an enemy combatant was proof of death.  There would be no dignity of burial for the Philistines.  Their remains would be food for the wild beasts.

48 Then it happened when the Philistine rose and came and drew near to meet David, that David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.

49 And David put his hand into his bag and took from it a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead. And the stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground.

The sling was a simple yet very effective weapon.  The stone is estimated to travel at speeds of 60 MPH.  “Surprisingly, a good slinger hurled a stone as far and accurately as a good archer. Roman military texts recommended archery target practice at about 200 yards (183 meters). Slingers are known to hurl their projectiles even farther, as much as 440 yards (402 meters) (a quarter of a mile / 0.40 km).” [8]

50 Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword in David’s hand.

51 Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.

but there was no sword in David’s hand.  -

David used the heavy sword of Goliath to finish that which God had sent him to do.  Although King Saul sent David out to Goliath; it was God’s plan put into action by Saul.  Without God guiding David in both thought and deed the outcome would NOT have been the same.

52 The men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted and pursued the Philistines as far as the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the slain Philistines lay along the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath and Ekron.

The prophesy David made in verse 46 of this chapter was being fulfilled in verse 52.   Why did they just leave the bodies of the dying and dead where they fell?  On the service it might appear this action by Israel to be exceedingly cruel.  However, it was necessary to instill great fear of the God of Israel in the hearts of the Philistines.

 53 The sons of Israel returned from chasing the Philistines and plundered their camps.

54 Then David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his weapons in his tent.

There is no time frame set for this action or why Goliath's head was brought to Jerusalem.  Victors in battle often took the head of the defeated armies leader as a trophy; a sign of victory for all to see.

“…he put his weapons in his tent.”  -

There was no need for David to carry his weapons into Jerusalem.  The enemy had been defeated as evidenced by the severed head of Goliath.  David did not present himself as a warrior but rather an obedient servant of God.

55 Now when Saul saw David going out against the Philistine, he said to Abner the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” And Abner said, “By your life, O king, I do not know.”

56 The king said, “You inquire whose son the youth is.”

“You inquire whose son the youth is.” -
Saul had every intention of keeping his word about rewarding the family of anyone who vanquished the giant.  Therefore, he asked Abner the name of David’s father.  Saul knew David as a musician.  However, he was probably quite surprised to see him as a such a fearless warrior.

57 So when David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul with the Philistine’s head in his hand.

58 Saul said to him, “Whose son are you, young man?” And David answered, “I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.”

Because Abner did not identify the family of David, Saul was obliged to ask David.  The King asked David so he would know what family would be exempt from taxes.

DISCUSSION OF CHAPTER 17
WHAT LESSONS HAVE WE LEARNED

God uses the least to accomplish the most. 

David, an unlikely selection to defend Israel, was chosen by God for His purpose.  We should never shy away from anything God chooses us to do because of feelings of inadequacy.  God equips all who answer His call  (Hebrews 13:21).

If God calls you do not fear for God is with you (Isaiah 41:10).

In all things give our Lord the Glory, and take Him daily for your strength (Colossians 3:17,  Isaiah 40:29).

Citations and references 

[1]   Italicized text is copied from the Holy Bible ESV

[2]1 Samuel" – Helen Pocock, published by Easy English Commentaries

[3] Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible- by  Robert Jamieson, A. R. ,Fausset and David Brown published by Bible Study Tools,  

[4] Smuel" Adam Clarke and published by Study light org

[5] King James Bible Dictionary - http://www.kingjamesbibledictionary.com/Dictionary/Span

[6] Significance of the Number 40 - ECCLESIA, https://www.ecclesia.org/truth/40.html,
Todd Dennis and Richard Anthony, (accessed Nov 6 2017)

[7] Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, https:..www.biblestudytools.com/concordances/
strongs-exhaustive-concordance/ (accessed Oct 31, 2017)

[8] David and Goliath, David's sling - Rapture Notes By Gary Byers , http://www.rapturenotes.com/slingsandstones.html (Nov 6 2017)