Everyone over the age of 6 knows the history of David and Goliath, how tiny David fought the huge giant and was victorious. There are many lessons and morals that come from this story; following God, standing up to overwhelming odds, right versus might. Even the media write about how an individual taking on a corporation is “David versus Goliath”. There is a more important point to be made than the ones usually mentioned.
First, let’s review the story:
The Philistines were the enemy of Israel. If Israel had obeyed God when they entered the Promised Land, there wouldn’t be any Philistines in this story. In 1 Samuel 17, the Philistines gather on Israeli land, a clear act of provocation. King Saul comes out with his army and pitches camp nearby, such as the custom was back then. Out comes a giant Philistine and challenges Israel. He wants Saul to send out a champion to go one-on-one, winner take all. Of course, no one wants to go against a giant. They would be slaughtered. So every morning, Goliath comes out and taunts the Jews for 40 days. One day David shows up bringing supplies for his brothers and turns out to be the one to kill of Goliath.
Here is a question I have: Who let Goliath make the rules? The Israelites had a clear command from God that they were supposed to destroy the inhabitants of the Promised Land and take possession. Ridding the land of the Philistines was part of that command. But Israel had lost sight of their charge. Notice that Goliath calls the Israelites the “servants of Saul”. The people had rejected God as their King when they selected Saul. Then King Saul developed a real ego problem. But David gets it right in verse 26 referring to the “armies of the living God”. In verse 45 David goes out to Goliath “in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel…”
After David killed Goliath, did the Philistines abide by their own “winner take all” rules and surrender? As evidenced in verse 52 and later chapters, no, they didn’t. There are two really good lessons here:
- Don’t play by the enemy’s rules. Let the Bible guide you instead.
- Don’t expect your enemy to keep promises. They are usually false.
So next time someone says “don’t bring religion into this”, “you can’t legislate morality”, “don’t push your religion on me” or some such thing, don’t let them set the rules. We are supposed to speak the truth, exhort, rebuke (Titus 2:15); take a stand for right (Ephesians 6:13); call people out on their foolish statements (Proverbs 26:5); and be bold and speak without fear (Philippians 1:14).
We Christians are children of God. He makes our rules and sets our boundaries. God alone should determine who we are and how we behave. All these things are written in scripture. Make the Bible your foundation like David did and you will have sure footing when going against the giants of ignorance and atheism. The Devil will use all kinds of tactics to try to silence you.
Do what God has clearly commanded in the Bible. You will be victorious in the end.