ISRAEL DEFIED BY THE PHILISTINE CHAMPION 1 Samuel 17:1 When their king lost the special consciousness of God's presence and power, the whole kingdom became demoralized, and the Hebrews had the humiliation of hearing in silence a defiant challenge to “the armies of the living God.” It looked as if t... [ Continue Reading ]
DAVID UNAWED BY THE GIANT 1 Samuel 17:17 At this juncture David arrived in the camp, sent by Jesse to inquire after the welfare of his three elder sons, who had followed Saul to the war. He also brought them provisions, and a present for the captain of their troop. On arriving at the trenches, he f... [ Continue Reading ]
DAVID TRUSTS HIS FORMER DELIVERER 1 Samuel 17:31 David was conducted into Saul's presence-his soul aglow with heroic faith-avowing that he was willing to go alone to fight the Philistine. Saul, however, had no thought of power save that which comes from long practice, 1 Samuel 17:33, or from helmet... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WINS THE LORD'S BATTLE 1 Samuel 17:41 David did not wait until his enemy had crossed the valley, but hastened to the streamlet to select the pebbles needed for his sling. Goliath scouted such a champion and cursed him. To this boasting and blaspheming, David opposed the name of Jehovah of Hosts... [ Continue Reading ]
A LOYAL FRIEND AND A JEALOUS ENEMY 1 Samuel 17:55; 1 Samuel 18:1 These verses make very good reading. They present the one ray of light in a story which, from this point on, becomes more and more somber. David's bearing in the hour of victory was so modest and unaffected that Jonathan's heart leap... [ Continue Reading ]