David sees a Mortal man defying God
October 25, 2022
Commentary
Three of David’s brothers have gone off to fight in Saul’s army against the Philistines (v. 13). David is introduced once more as the youngest son of Jesse, who has eight boys (v. 14). David had been playing his harp for Saul but had gone home to Bethlehem to take care of his father’s sheep (v. 15). Keep in mind that David has already been anointed by Samuel to become the next king of Israel. For forty days the giant came out and challenged them morning and evening (v. 16). While he is home, Jesse asks David to take some food and go up to the front lines of battle and check on the well-being of his brothers (vv. 17-18). Soldiers at that time had to maintain themselves while fighting the enemy. David lost no time in traveling the twelve miles to the camp and when he arrives on the front lines, everyone is talking about this man, Goliath, who is defying anyone in the Israelite army to come and fight him (vv. 19-20). David arrived with provisions for his brothers, and immediately he was interested in the challenge of the giant (vv. 21-23).
When any Israelite would see him, they would run and hide (v. 24).What a difference perspective can have. Most of the Israelites saw only a big giant (v. 25) who was even bigger than Saul by a good three feet. David, however, saw a mortal man defying almighty God. (vv. 26-27). He knew that he would not be alone when he faced Goliath, God would fight with him. He looked at the situation from God’s point of view. Viewing impossible situations from God’s point of view helps us put giant problems in the proper perspective. Once we see clearly we can fight more effectively.
When David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard that David had arrived in the camp, he became angry and asked what he was doing there (v. 28). His response to his younger brother was designed to belittle him in the eyes of the soldiers. He implied that great things could not be expected from a shepherd, especially when men twice his age and experienced in fighting could do nothing. Perhaps this was out of concern for his safety or else he was jealous because David was getting attention. And David said, “What have I done now? I was only asking why someone doesn’t take on this pagan Philistine?" (v. 29). Then he turned to others in the same way, and got the same response (v. 30).
Application
When people may try to discourage me with negative comments as I try to serve God. I just need to continue to do what I know is right and what will be pleasing God.
1 Samuel 17:12– 30 (NET)
12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse from Bethlehem in Judah. He had eight sons, and in Saul’s days he was old and well advanced in years. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to war. The names of the three sons who went to war were Eliab, his firstborn, Abinadab, the second oldest; and Shammah, the third oldest. 14 Now David was the youngest. While the three oldest sons followed Saul, 15 David was going back and forth from Saul in order to care for his father’s sheep in Bethlehem.
16 Meanwhile for forty days the Philistine approached every morning and evening and took his position. 17 Jesse said to his son David, “Take your brothers this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread; go quickly to the camp to your brothers. 18 Also take these ten portions of cheese to their commanding officer. Find out how your brothers are doing and bring back their pledge that they received the goods. 19 They are with Saul and the whole Israelite army in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.”
20 So David got up early in the morning and entrusted the flock to someone else who would watch over it. After loading up, he went just as Jesse had instructed him. He arrived at the camp as the army was going out to the battle lines shouting its battle cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines drew up their battle lines opposite one another. 22 After David had entrusted his cargo to the care of the supply officer, he ran to the battlefront. When he arrived, he asked his brothers how they were doing. 23 As he was speaking with them, the champion named Goliath, the Philistine from Gath, was coming up from the battle lines of the Philistines. He spoke the way he usually did, and David heard it. 24 When all the men of Israel saw this man, they retreated from his presence and were very afraid.
25 The men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who is coming up? He does so to defy Israel. But the king will make the man who can strike him down very wealthy! He will give him his daughter in marriage, and he will make his father’s house exempt from tax obligations in Israel.”
26 David asked the men who were standing near him, “What will be done for the man who strikes down this Philistine and frees Israel from this humiliation? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he defies the armies of the living God?” 27 The soldiers told him what had been promised, saying, “This is what will be done for the man who can strike him down.”
28 When David’s oldest brother Eliab heard him speaking to the men, he became angry with David and said, “Why have you come down here? To whom did you entrust those few sheep in the wilderness? I am familiar with your pride and deceit! You have come down here to watch the battle.”
29 David replied, “What have I done now? Can’t I say anything?” 30 Then he turned from those who were nearby to someone else and asked the same question, but they gave him the same answer as before.