The story of David and Goliath teaches us great truths about ourselves, Christ, and our redemption through the gospel. Often this passage from 1 Samuel 17 is misused and abused by ministers who suggest that we are to be like David, to be full of faith, and thereby to slay the giants in our lives. We’re in the story alright, but we are not David.
There’s another group of folks in the story that better represents us: Israel. Captive to fear, helpless, and in despair, we can relate to those Israelites upon the hill. There we stood, dead in our sins, facing death and eternal judgement, wholly in need of a Savior.
When all hope for Israel was lost, an unlikely hero appears on the scene. And who was this hero? A shepherd boy sent out by his father to bring bread and cheese to his brethren. But this was the same boy anointed earlier to be king over the people of God. Though he was mocked by his brethren and unconvincing to King Saul, he set his eyes on the deliverance of God’s people for the glory of the LORD.
Israel witnessed a great victory that day, but it pales in comparison to the victory we see through the gospel. Our great Shepherd, being sent from heaven by God the Father, came to our aid. Christ the Anointed One, though despised and rejected by His brethren, “endured the cross, despising the shame” (Heb. 12:2). By 2 planks and 3 nails (rather than 5 stones) Jesus delivers His people from the over-powering grip of death, hell, and the grave. By His victory, we share in the spoils with our King, who now sits at the right hand of God until all His enemies are made His footstool.
Rightly divide the word of truth; see Jesus!
You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me;
— John 5:39
And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.
— Luke 24:25-27
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