Wednesday, May 26, 2021

1 Samuel 17 SERIES: SUMMARY

"God was teaching David lessons of trust. 
 
Goliath trusted in his armor.
Saul had his own kingly armor placed upon David
But he would not consent to wear it. 
He did not mean that any credit be given to the armor of Saul, for his trust was in the Lord God of Israel. 

Choosing five smooth stones out of the brook, he put them in his bag, and, with his sling in his hand, drew near to the Philistine.
Those who bear the most solemn message ever given to our world must lay off the pugilistic armor, and put on the armor of Christ’s righteousness.
 
Amazement spread along the lines of the two armies. 
David's countenance was ruddy with health, and his well-knit form, unprotected by armor, was displayed to advantage; yet between its youthful outline and the massive proportions of the Philistine, there was a marked contrast.

Goliath was filled with amazement and anger. "Am I a dog," he exclaimed, "that thou comest to me with staves?" He cried in derision, "Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field."

They had been confident that David would be slain; but when the
stone went whizzing through the air, straight to the mark, they saw the mighty warrior tremble, and reach forth his hands, as if he were struck with sudden blindness. 
The giant reeled, and staggered, and fell prostrate to the ground. David did not wait an instant. He knew not that life was extinct. He sprang upon the prostrate form of the Philistine, and with both hands he laid hold of Goliath's heavy sword.  
A moment before, the giant had boasted that with it he would sever the youth's head from his shoulders and give his body to the fowls of the air. Now it was lifted in the air.
 
David did not weaken before the champion of the Philistines. Stepping forward, he said to his antagonist: Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and He will give you into our hands." E.G.W.