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“Victory Before A Punch Is Thrown” • 6.14.15 • Calvary
Christian Fellowship, Sunday Morning Service
Intro.
- Israel's Monarch elect has been splitting
time between the Palace and the Pen, doing double duty as a musician to a
tormented King and faithful shepherd to his Dad's sheep.
- The hands on, eyewitness internship, paid for
by the King, has been invaluable, but how will he be propelled into the public
eye and seen as more than a musician and Shepherd?
- God has been planning just such an event and
David is going to stumble into it without knowing what awaits him. As with all
of us, God has been preparing him for the moments ahead.
- As with all of us, David will have to
navigate through several traps along the way, if he will have any taste of the
victory God intends for him. Let's take a look at verse 1.
Text
•
I Samuel 17:1-3 : "Now the Philistines gathered their
armies together to battle, and were gathered at Sochoh, which belongs to Judah;
they encamped between Sochoh and Azekah, in Ephes Dammim. And Saul and the men of Israel were
gathered together, and they encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in
battle array against the Philistines. The Philistines stood on a mountain on one side, and Israel
stood on a mountain on the other side, with a valley between them." : The Phiistines have again sought to enlarge their borders with
an incursive move into the territory that belonged to the Israelite tribe of
Judah.
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The names of Biblical places often desciribe their topography. Sochoh,
"Bushy" and Azekah, "Dug In" was located in Ephes Dammim,
named for it's proximity to a battle location.
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Ephes Dammin means "the edge of blood" and is approximately 16 miles from
Jerusalem!
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Naturally, Saul's army took up their defensive position near the Valley of Elah
and the two sides remained on opposing slopes.
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The Valley Of Elah is a large area surrounded by what we would call hills, but
in Israel are called mountains. Between these two hilly slopes, lies a
seaonably dried up river bed.
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The comparable sized armies stationed themselves and began to strategize their
respective campaigns. That's when the Philistines unveiled their Game Changer.
•
I Samuel 17:4-7 : "And a champion went out from the
camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits
and a span. He
had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the
weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. And he had bronze armor on his legs
and a bronze javelin between his shoulders. Now the staff of his spear was like
a weaver’s beam, and his iron spearhead weighed six hundred shekels; and a
shield-bearer went before him." : As the
two armies faced each another, the Philistines sent out a champion, literally,
one who stands in the void, from their midst.
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He's not a Philistine but a refugee of another people group who had made the
city of Gath his home. He descends from the Anakim. Guess where they had lived
before then?
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They had dwelt in Canaan when Joshua and the people of Israel came into the
land to settle! They were driven out of Israel, but were welcomed into
Philistia! (Joshua 11:22)
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This Anakim's name is Goliath. "Golyath" or "splendour" was
an exeptional champion, who according to most conservative Bible commentators, stood
around 9 feet 6 inches tall.
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Some have him as tall as 11 feet! Does it really matter? He was taller, more
muscular and more intimidating than anyone else there! And that was without his
armor on!
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He was clothed with all of Philistia's latest metallurgical technology. Bronze
helmet. His coat of mail weighed as much as 120 pounds by itself!
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His legs were covered with bronze and he held a large weapon upon his
shoulders. Whatever he couldn't carry, his shield bearer brought with him. Goliath
is an impressive sight without weakness.
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The use of bronze scripturally seems to indicate judgment. The bronze footings
for the Tabernacle, the bronze altar and the bronze (brazen) serpent in the
desert are all judgment motifs.
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Here is a character that has emerged from the Philistine camp clothed
exclusively in it! He isn't simply a sight to behold. He also has a lot to say!
Take a look at verse 8.
•
I Samuel 17:8-11 : "Then he stood and cried out to the
armies of Israel, and said to them, 'Why have you come out to line up for
battle? Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose a man for
yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and
kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill
him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.' And the Philistine said, 'I defy
the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.' When Saul and all Israel heard
these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid." : Goliath's challenge made a lot of sense. Two comparable armies,
stationed with equal advantage equals a stalemate.
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Why spill so much blood? "We're here to fight aren't we? Send out your
best man and I'll stand here, the loser's side serves the winner!" It's a
great option and not!
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It's great for saving the majority of the army from needless bloodshed, but
terrible in that Israel had no one that could compete with him! This thing is
fixed!
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King Saul was the tallest among them, but he and all of his men were paralyzed
with fear!
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The Hebrew word indicates that they were shattered internally, meaning that
their inner constitution was unable to rouse itself to the occasion and they
were continually terrified.
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It was contagious. Everyone saw the King crumble and they crumbled alongside of
him! The man that was to lead them as a champ was relegated to being a mere
chump! Now, switch scenes!
•
I Samuel 17:12-16 : "Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem Judah, whose
name was Jesse, and who had eight sons. And the man was old, advanced in years,
in the days of Saul. The three oldest sons of Jesse had gone to follow Saul to
the battle. The names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the
firstborn, next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. David was the youngest.
And the three oldest followed Saul. But David occasionally went and returned
from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. And the Philistine drew near
and presented himself forty days, morning and evening." : David was on duty as often as Saul was afflicted by the
tormenting spirit from God.
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When that was abated for a time, David went back to his old job working for his
Dad, feeding his sheep. David was home when the two armies gathered at Elah.
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Jesse's concern for his three eldest sons will cause him to rush David out to
the front lines.
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The three oldest had put their confidence in Saul, refusing to acknowledge
Samuel's annointing of their kid brother as legitimate. David didn't care. He
was right where he wanted to be!
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He was enjoying his job and loving his time with the Lord. What a contrast to
what was happening in the valley of Elah!
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Saul and the people were paralyzed with fear for 40 days! Morning and evening,
Goliath relentlessly taunted and jabbed at the people of Israel.
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On the first day or two, there is an expectation that someone will answer. When
nobody did, the psychological advantage became a complete advantage, as fear
sunk deep in Israel's psyche.
•
I Samuel 17:17-24 : "Then Jesse said to his son David, 'Take now for your brothers an
ephah of this dried grain and these ten loaves, and run to your brothers at the
camp. And carry these ten cheeses to the captain of their thousand, and see how
your brothers fare, and bring back news of them.' Now Saul and they and all the
men of Israel were in the Valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. So
David rose early in the morning, left the sheep with a keeper, and took the
things and went as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the camp as the army
was going out to the fight and shouting for the battle. For Israel and the
Philistines had drawn up in battle array, army against army. And David left his
supplies in the hand of the supply keeper, ran to the army, and came and
greeted his brothers. Then as he talked with them, there was the champion, the
Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, coming up from the armies of the
Philistines; and he spoke according to the same words. So David heard them. And
all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully
afraid. So the men of Israel said, 'Have you seen
this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel; and it shall be
that the man who kills him the king will enrich with great riches, will give
him his daughter, and give his father’s house exemption from taxes in Israel.'" : Jesse's motive in sending David was to provide food for his
sons, and to return quickly with a status report on the favored brothers.
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David did what he was commanded, making sure to leave the sheep in the care of
a keeper. The only reason that David was there at all stems, from his Father's
command regarding the others.
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When David arrived there was the usual jostling, both armies taunting each
other to make a move from their position of strength, and then out came Goliath
with his usual speech!
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This is David's first exposure to what Israel has been staring down for a month
and 10 days! This is the 79th or 80th invitation to battle that will be turned
down.
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He saw the Man, heard the words and saw the effect it had on Israel who were in
fearful awe.
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The men of Israel reported to David, telling him of the dire straits that
Israel was in. It had gotten so bad that the King had offered monetary compensation,
his daughter and tax exemption!
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Not a single man in Israel's army stood up for duty! Forty days and not one man
came forward, not one man believed in God's capability to act on their behalf.
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Fear had crippled the entire army. Goliath had defeated them by simple fear and
intimidation! He had beaten them with his voice, not his fists!
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Israel believed in Goliath. They believed in his power to destroy them. He had
them!
-
There wasn't a reward big enough to change their collective minds and propel
them out into that valley.
•
I Samuel 17:26-30 : "Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, 'What
shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach
from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the
armies of the living God?' And the people answered him in this manner, saying, 'So
shall it be done for the man who kills him.' Now Eliab his oldest brother heard
when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was aroused against David, and he
said, 'Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep
in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you
have come down to see the battle.' And David said, 'What have I done now? Is
there not a cause?' Then he turned from him toward another and said the same
thing; and these people answered him as the first ones did." : The only shocking thing here is that David was alone in his
rage!
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"Whose going to do something about this? He's a heathen dog insulting our
God!" David is having a fit! The people are giving him the details and his
brother is about to give him grief!
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Eliab heard what David said and immediately lashed out against him. Wouldn't
you? This is his first time seeing and hearing Goliath. 39 days ago and the
mood might have been more optimistic!
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But now, here comes this young pup, barely over 20, asking out loud why this
man is allowed to blaspheme the armies of God? Shouldn't something be done?
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Eliab is constrained by being the older brother of this loud mouthed boy. He is
also convicted that his cowardice has been as vocal as David's challenge!
Listen to the way he talks to him.
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"What are you doing here? You don't belong here with the men, you belong
with those little sheep. That's about all you are good for!"
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Eliab's diminuitive stab at David was ironic. He accuses him of pride and
presumptive arrogance, when it's his gargantuan ego that has been assailed.
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He's accusing him of saying these things with the intent to show off and show
up his brothers.
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David can't win with Eliab so he just keeps asking around. He's not deterred.
He doesn't have time for Eliab's unfair assessment. He needs to know who is
going to take care of this giant!
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David makes sure that he focuses on the real enemy! Could you imagine if David
decided that it was more worthwhile to argue with his brother? What
foolishness? There is a giant out there!
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How often are Christians guilty of focusing on secondary issues, when the
primary issue stands unaddressed?
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How many days will we fight over debatable minutae, while the people that God
intends to save are terrorized by an unrelenting, spiritually terrorizing
enemy?
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Notice his curt response: Don't I have a cause here? This reminds me of Nehemiah's
words to Sanballat and Tobiah, who sought to meet with him in the plain of Ono.
- "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot
come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?”"
(Nehemiah 6:3)
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Oh for more men like David and Nehemiah! David bypassed Eliab and kept asking
around and nobody was saying anything different. He couldn't find one brave man
among them!
•
I Samuel 17:31-32 : "Now when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported
them to Saul; and he sent for him. Then David said to Saul, 'Let no man’s heart
fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.'" : David's courage, which should have been standard among the men,
was so out of character, that it captured the King's attention!
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"Hey, believe it or not, there's a kid here who thinks that something
should be done about Goliath!" "Send him in!" This was the best
news Saul had received for over a month!
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David's confidence seems a little off putting at first. "Have no fear, David
is here!"
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David has gone from saying, "Someone should do something about this"
to "Don't worry, I'm going to do something about this!" What a huge
difference!
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ANYONE can say "someone should be doing this." In fact, EVERYONE had
been saying that for 40 days! When that is the case, generally, NO ONE is doing
anything!
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David didn't just suggest a course of action or present a few viable options.
He put himself on the line and said, "I'll do it!" Let no man's heart
fail him. I'll represent our side!
•
I Samuel 17:33 : "And Saul said to David, 'You are not able to go against this
Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his
youth.'" : Saul had been encouraged. A man is
finally going to step up and in walks little Davey!
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Consider the source. Here is a man who has been given over to an evil spirit,
who has spent 40 days in complete terror, staring at a seemingly unbeatable
foe.
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All of his men have spent the same amount of time revealing their cowardice!
Saul effectually places his unbelief upon David. "You can't do this!"
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Saul can only believe in the most fearful expectation. He sees no other
possibility! Sadly, there are many in the body of Christ who are just like
this!
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Saul notes the obvious lack of experience that would accompany the age
disparity.
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David was a youth and Goliath a warrior from his youth to his advanced age now.
He has no metric to account for the spiritual giant that David already was in
comparison to himself.
•
I Samuel 17:34-37 : "But David said to Saul, 'Your servant used to keep his father’s
sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went
out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it
arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. Your
servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will
be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.'
Moreover David said, 'The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and
from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.'
And Saul said to David, 'Go, and the Lord be with you!'" : Does David let Saul tell him what he can or cannot do? No, but
as many people of faith have had to do, he seeks to comfort and convince his
elder.
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David's job as a shepherd was not without significant danger, either from
highway men seeking an easy meal or dangerous beasts roaming freely through the
countryside.
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In these days, when Israel was filled with forests, altercations with wildlife
were common. David makes an interesting statement here, did you notice: I used
to keep sheep.
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Verse 20 of this chapter is David's farewell to the Sheep! He has a new life
that's in front of him, so he speaks of his shepherding in the past tense! God
is moving David forward!
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David is about to be thrust into the spotlight. God is about to make him a
"shepherd of men" in much the same way as he made the disciples
"Fishers of men!"
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He knows that his courage has been tested, having rescued his Father's lambs
from the mouths of lions and bears. Those defenseless sheep had a champion!
Now, Israel would have one!
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This is not David's first giant and it won't be his victory. David's confidence
was not in his ability to slay a bear or a lion, but in God's ability to
deliver him!
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Saul is convinced! May the Lord be with you now, as you go out again!
•
I Samuel 17:38-40 : "So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet
on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. David fastened his sword
to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to
Saul, 'I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.' So David took
them off. Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five
smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch
which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the
Philistine." : Saul was happy to consign David to
the Lord, so long as he also was covered in as much armor as he had. Saul
didn't want to use it himself, but he wouldn't let David go without it!
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Saul's armor was made for him, a full grown man who was head and shoulders
taller than anyone else in Israel! How was David supposed to wear this?
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Somehow, I wonder if Saul was going to take the credit for David's victory on
account of his armor! "If it wasn't for my resource and wisdom, David
would have failed!"
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Saul didn't even ask. He just started to force the helmet on his head and the
mail over his chest and David even took Saul's sword and began to try to walk with
it all, perhaps out of respect!
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It did not take long for David to admit that he couldn't move properly! He
hadn't tested them. He hadn't employed this strategy before. There is such a
great point to be made here.
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You and I cannot wear another person's armor! The experiences we have are born
out of what we have tested! David might have given in here and tried to fight
with it. He would have failed!
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Thankfully, David wisely removed the armor and took his usual equipment! There
would be no need for defense, but he'd definitely need enough ammo!
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He held his walking stick, 5 smooth stones from the dried river bed, and his
sling. The stones were collected for the four brothers of Goliath! From there
he drew near to the Philistine!
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Everyone else wanted to be as far from Goliath as possible, except for David
who was walking right into God's appointment for him!
Conclusion
- If
you are going to serve the Lord, you will be wise to avoid the traps that David
did.
- He
moved past the "Personal Disdain" and character assassination of his
brother Eliab by remaining focused on the real enemy, Goliath.
- He
might have decided to fight a secondary battle and never have engaged in the war!
- He
navigated through "Professional Experience Necessary" by keeping his
own experience with the Lord in the front of his mind.
- He
might have given into the suggestion and been immobilized by intimidation.
-
Finally, he resisted the temptation to "Present Himself In Another Man's
Armor," by realizing that he had never needed these implements before!
- He
might have worn Saul's armor only to have shared Saul's fate! Let us remain
focused on the real war, mindful of the sufficiency of Lord's personal preparation
and gifting for the task at hand.
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This is how you and I experience victory before we even raise a fist! Let's
pray!