Saul & Goliath

The story of David and Goliath is one of the most known stories of the entire Bible (1 Sam. 17).  It involves the most unlikely hero overcoming a giant warrior in battle.  David was God's chosen king and, although he was a small shepherd boy with no discernable battlefield skill or training, he was faithful to God and was rewarded for his faithfulness.  David wore no armor and used a common sling to slay Goliath, the Philistine giant and champion.  It is a story of the power of faithful obedience in overcoming overwhelming odds by the supernatural provision of God.  A great story; however, David shouldn't have fought Goliath, that opponent was solely for Saul.

Saul was the crowned and anointed king of Israel.  He was Israel's champion and their leader, not to mention he was one of only two Israelites that had a sword (1 Sam. 13:22).  Not only that but Saul was a giant in comparison to his fellow countryman (1 Sam. 9:2).  Because God had anointed Saul as Israel's champion and leader, Saul had achieved significant military victories with the Ammonites, the Amalekites, and the Philistines.  Yet despite all of this evidence that God would stay Saul and give the Philistines over to him in victory, Saul is both disobedient and unfaithful when Goliath begins taunting the Israelites.  Goliath was Saul's fight to fight.  Saul had all the equipment and the physical capability but he lacked faith that God would provide him the victory.  Enter David.

David, recently anointed king by Samuel because of his faithful character, is the image of faithfulness.  Although David is young, small, and has no military experience let alone proper weaponry, he steps up to the challenge that should have been Saul's.  While Saul cowers in fear before Goliath, David is enraged that a foreigner would so defile God.  David is not distracted by the physical presence of Goliath, Saul is.  David understands that God has promised to bring the Philistines into the hands of the Israelites, David is faithful to that promise and undismayed by the taunts of the mighty giant Goliath.  On the other hand, Saul is trembling at the sight and size of Goliath.  As a result, Saul is unable to realize that he should be the one to accomplish the tasks of God.

Once David enters the camp and hears Goliath's daily taunt, he is quick to rally the Israelites (1 Sam. 17:26).  In response to David's rally, the Israelites rebuke David.  David now changes his rally cry to an acceptance that he alone is the one to defeat Goliath (1 Sam. 17:32).  When David comes to Saul, Saul rebukes David like the rest of the Israelites, but after David explains how God will provide the victory, Saul concedes for David to fight Saul's fight for him (1 Sam. 17:34-37).  Saul, after blessing David, gives David his own armor and sword that is far too big for David (1 Sam. 17:38-39).  David sheds Saul's armor, enters the battlefield and the rest is history.

Saul seems to be totally unaware of the reality of the situation.  God has given Saul everything Saul needs to succeed as king and all the resources necessary to defeat Goliath.  Unfortunately, Saul is missing the most important ingredient: an unswerving faith in the Lord.  There is application in the story of Saul and Goliath for the Christian.

Often we may have every necessary resource to accomplish God's purposes; however, without a steadfast faith in the Lord, God will not use us.  Even more, God may replace us with one who is less equipped for the task but more faithful to God's sovereignty.  Resources such as gifting, talents, and anointing are certainly not evil but if not paired with fervent, prayerful faith, all resources are useless.  God requires faith and obedience.

Yes, Goliaths do come to taunt us.  There will always be Goliaths that challenge us with taunts and terror.  It is important to remember that Saul, who had everything needed to best Goliath, because of his faithlessness didn't, David did.  As a result, David, not Saul, received all the accolades of victory.  It is important to not be distracted by what God asks us to do when the task seems daunting.  Instead, we need only be faithful that when God asks us to do something, no matter the gravity of the task, God will be faithful in helping us to accomplish it.  If we cower when Goliaths taunt us, God will raise up Davids to taunt us.  The easy solution: be faithful to the faithful God.

Importance of Scripture

2 Tim. 3:16-17 describes all Holy Writ as "breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work (ESV)."

Heb. 4:12--"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Peter writes in 2 Pet. 3:15-16 that Paul's letters and thus the writings of the apostles should be understood as both canonical and authoritative.

The point is clear and the message direct: the Bible is useful.  This may seem rudimentary, unfortunately, it is too often overlooked as the source of instruction and guidance in the life of the believer as well as the source of justice for the unbeliever.  The Bible is distinct and inerrant, meaning it is without error.

Yes, there are particulars within the whole of Scripture that present challenges to interpretation; however, these challenges should not be shied away from nor should the believer cower whenever the validity of the Word is challenged.  Rather, the Word should be the source of confidence, the source of comfort, and the source of truth that acts as a litmus for every and all other truth claims.

The Bible is to be understood in this sense that it is Christ and to know Christ is to know the Word.  John's first chapter describes how Jesus, the Son of God, is the Word.  Jesus nature is to be found and understood in the context and by the power of the Scripture.  Therefore, in order to abide in His Word, as Jesus calls us to, we must study it energetically and with discipline.  God desires above all else for His people to come to Him always and for everything in obedience, eagerly worshiping Him in all spirit and truth.  This is the purpose of the Bible.

Apart from the Bible, no truth can be properly understood as truth.  "True Truth" requires a rubric to assess its "truthness."  The Bible fulfills this function.  In that regard, it is of eternal importance and of utter necessity to make a regular habit of prayerfully engaging the Word.  Practically speaking, this means reading the Bible on a regular, preferably daily, basis.  There are a number of resources out there to help with this: websites, bible reading programs, etc.  It is actually quite simple: if you desire to be closer to God, you need to be to in His Word.  The pursuit is the point.  Make a practice of the pursuit of His Word.  You will not be disappointed.