The Haughty Mean Giant (1 Samuel 17:1-31)

In the early 1940’s, the Philadelphia Phillies finished four straight seasons they in last place. Their 1941 record was 43 wins, 111 losses.^[1] But a young player debuted with them who would not only help his team, he’d leave an indelible mark on baseball history.

He wasn’t stronger or faster than the other players. In fact, he had been physically disqualified from military service multiple times.^[2] He didn’t move with a whole lot of speed. He spent a number of years grinding in the minor leagues, with a few stalls in his playing career along the way.

But when he got to the majors, he started making impacts on and off the field. One newspaper wrote of his debut saying, “Starving for run making power, the Phillies’…found in their lap a brand new outfielder. He hit a homer with the bases full. Also a triple, double, and two singles. He batted in six runs in the first game…Dangerous Dan Litwhiler is the name.” Quite a debut.

In 1942, Dan became the first player ever to play every game of an entire season without a single error. Not only did he play in every game, he played in every inning that season.

Dan was the first to stitch the fingers of his mitt together. He introduced the radar gun to measure pitch speed.^[3] His path was unlikely, but his was an undeniable contribution to the baseball field.

1 Samuel 17 is the most famous story in all the Old Testament: David and Goliath. Use those two names and everyone knows what you’re talking about, whether they grew up in church or not.

Perhaps the most definitive aspect of this story is how unlikely David was to triumph. When we say, “David vs. Goliath,” we mean there is almost no chance the shepherd boy can take down the giant.

But when we observe David in the text, he has no question in his mind about whether he can kill Goliath. He is absolutely confident. Not in himself, but in the power of the living God.

Now, from the human perspective, David is an unlikely champion. Saul will list his deficiencies and say, “You can’t do it.“ His big brother is going to chew him out and say, “You can’t do it.“

And yet, as we all know, he does it. Is it because only David was capable? In the text, he seems confounded as to why no other soldier has taken King Saul up on his offer to reward whoever kills Goliath. As far as David is concerned, any Israelite could take the giant down. So, the question is: How was it that there was an entire army of God’s people without a single champion? They had men of stature like Saul and Eliab. Men with experience, men with equipment. Men who had seen God’s faithfulness. Yet they overcome by fear, frozen, and unable to rise to the occasion and advance in the hour of need.

In this life, we will face difficulty. Whether it’s suffering, temptation, oppression, confusion. Obstacles that loom large on our horizon. Christians, we serve a God Who empowers us to grow in any field we’re sent to, whether that’s a work field, a field of study, or a battlefield. And all of us can walk in victory as we walk in the Spirit. Whether it seems unlikely or not.

1 Samuel 17:1-3 – ¹ The Philistines gathered their forces for war at Socoh in Judah and camped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim. ² Saul and the men of Israel gathered and camped in the Valley of Elah; then they lined up in battle formation to face the Philistines. ³ The Philistines were standing on one hill, and the Israelites were standing on another hill with a ravine between them.

We’re 14 miles west of Bethlehem,^[4] the western frontier of Israel. They’re near Philistine territory. There’s no free-flowing water in this area.^[5] The Philistines are closer to supply lines. So, not only do they have a material advantage, they have a mental advantage, too. The last time we saw the Philistines, they were routed by Saul and his army. But they’re not afraid of Saul anymore.

No problem. Israel has an army full of warriors. And this is why they demanded a king – to save them from the Philistines.^[6] Five times we’ll be told, “They got in battle formation.” But there’s no fight for weeks on end. Why?

1 Samuel 17:4-7 – ⁴ Then a champion named Goliath, from Gath, came out from the Philistine camp. He was nine feet, nine inches, tall ⁵ and wore a bronze helmet and bronze scale armor that weighed one hundred twenty-five pounds. ⁶ There was bronze armor on his shins, and a bronze javelin was slung between his shoulders. ⁷ His spear shaft was like a weaver’s beam, and the iron point of his spear weighed fifteen pounds. In addition, a shield-bearer was walking in front of him.

Goliath wasn’t just suffering from gigantism. In Genesis, there were times before and after the Flood where fallen angels cohabited with human women and produced giant offspring with great strength. These offspring are known by different names in the Old Testament: The Nephilim, the Rephaim, the Zamzummim, and the Anakim.^[7] Joshua exterminated them from the Promised Land in all but three places: Gaza, Ashdod, and Gath.^[8] All Philistine cities.

Goliath was one of the Anakim.^[9] Using the short cubit, he would’ve been 9 feet, 9 inches tall. This at a time when the average Hebrew man was between 5 foot and 5 foot 5 inches tall.^[10]

Now, an average Israelite soldier went into battle wearing regular clothes.^[11] The king would have armor, but the infantry didn’t. Other than his face, Goliath’s whole body was covered in metal.^[12] His armor would’ve been made from several hundred bronze plates overlapped, resembling fish scales.^[13] He was armed with a mighty spear, a straight sword sheathed on his side, and we’re told a “javelin” was slung on his back. Scholars believe this was actually a scimitar.^[14]

His armaments would’ve limited his speed and maneuverability, so he had a full time shield bearer, dedicated to protecting him. In other words, he could play offense and defense at the same time.

If you find yourself thinking, “Ok, well just have an archer snipe this guy,” understand that their arrows wouldn’t penetrate his armor, certainly not at range. But there was a more important question than caliber that kept Israel from engaging. Was God going to fight for them today?

They know they can’t win if the Lord doesn’t fight for them. King Saul certainly doesn’t have any reason to believe God will empower them for this fight. The fighters are frightened. Meaning they are not forming up in faith and full of the Spirit. The gathering is a formality.

There’s no escaping this threat. They have to go out. They’ve been invaded by an enemy that is dedicated to their destruction. But they have no courage or power to deal with this situation. Day after day, for more than a month they go through this charade of lining up in formation. It was God’s providential mercy that kept the Philistines from charging at the petrified army of Israel.

1 Samuel 17:8-11, 16 – ⁸ He stood and shouted to the Israelite battle formations, “Why do you come out to line up in battle formation?” He asked them, “Am I not a Philistine and are you not servants of Saul? Choose one of your men and have him come down against me. ⁹ If he wins in a fight against me and kills me, we will be your servants. But if I win against him and kill him, then you will be our servants and serve us.” ¹⁰ Then the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel today. Send me a man so we can fight each other!” ¹¹ When Saul and all Israel heard these words from the Philistine, they lost their courage and were terrified… ¹⁶ Every morning and evening for forty days the Philistine came forward and took his stand.

Goliath makes them an offer: A one-on-one fight to decide it all. Now, the Philistines have absolutely no intention of following through on this deal, but this was a common option in ancient warfare. It’s seen in Egyptian history, Greek history, Canaanite, Hittite.

Who should fight him? Obviously Saul. Who was the tallest Israelite at the time? Saul. Who had bronze armor like Goliath? Saul.^[15] Who had extensive battle experience against Philistine warriors? Saul. Who was picked to be the king who would go out before Israel and fight their battles? Saul.

Why can’t he? He has no spiritual power. His strength, experience, and equipment can’t overcome enemies like this. He’s overwhelmed by the pressure. God had wanted Saul to be the one to deliver Israel from the Philistines. But in his state of faithless disobedience, all he can do is lead the retreat.

What happens when suffering or temptation invade our lives? Are we overwhelmed? God gives us power to withstand the tribulations of life. So why are some Christians unable to advance?

J.I. Packer wrote, “The fact we must face is that impenitent and unconsecrated Christians will be out of earshot when God calls them to service…Apathy and sluggishness with regard to ordinary obedience brings deafness when God calls to special service.”^[16]

God provides what we need for victory. But When we stop walking by faith overcoming the difficulties of life not only seems unlikely, but impossible. Into this seemingly unwinnable scene, enters a man who did walk by faith.

1 Samuel 17:12-15 – ¹² Now David was the son of the Ephrathite from Bethlehem of Judah named Jesse. Jesse had eight sons and during Saul’s reign was already an old man. ¹³ Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war, and their names were Eliab, the firstborn, Abinadab, the next, and Shammah, the third, ¹⁴ and David was the youngest. The three oldest had followed Saul, ¹⁵ but David kept going back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s flock in Bethlehem.

Dan Litwhiler had six older brothers. They lived in a tiny town, population 150. He spent his early years following them around as they played ball. He was their batboy.

David, the eighth son from a tiny town will become the savior in this story. He’s introduced to us as a faithful shepherd. One engaged in his father’s business. He repeatedly makes the long trip from the pasture to the front to bring the supplies his brothers need. He’s serving, humbly.

1 Samuel 17:17-22 – ¹⁷ One day Jesse had told his son David, “Take this half-bushel of roasted grain along with these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. ¹⁸ Also take these ten portions of cheese to the field commander. Check on the well-being of your brothers and bring a confirmation from them. ¹⁹ They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah fighting with the Philistines.” ²⁰ So David got up early in the morning, left the flock with someone to keep it, loaded up, and set out as Jesse had charged him. He arrived at the perimeter of the camp as the army was marching out to its battle formation shouting their battle cry. ²¹ Israel and the Philistines lined up in battle formation facing each other. ²² David left his supplies in the care of the quartermaster and ran to the battle line. When he arrived, he asked his brothers how they were.

David wasn’t looking for his big break to become rich and famous. He didn’t plan on slaying a giant that day. He’s sent to deliver food. He does not know he’s really being sent to deliver Israel.

In this scene, David is contrasted with the rest of the soldiers. They posture, he delivers. They are scared, hopeless, retreating. He is faithful, obedient, fearless. We know what made the difference: He’s full of the Holy Spirit. His faith is alive enough to know that God‘s desire is to deliver his people. That God‘s power is available for those who walk with him. That God works in our lives.

Power for living comes from the Lord. Power to shepherd or to soldier. Power to witness or power to worship. Power to endure suffering or to employ the Spirit’s gifts.

We can’t move on without noticing David’s tender care for the sheep. He made sure the lambs were properly cared for before he left for the bigger opportunity.

You know, in 1939, Dan Litwhiler had the chance to become part of the world champion Detroit Tigers’ organization. At the time, Dan was a science teacher and JV basketball coach at Bolton High School. He waited to take his baseball assignment until a new teacher could be found for his kids.

1 Samuel 17:23-27 – ²³ While he was speaking with them, suddenly the champion named Goliath, the Philistine from Gath, came forward from the Philistine battle line and shouted his usual words, which David heard. ²⁴ When all the Israelite men saw Goliath, they retreated from him terrified. ²⁵ Previously, an Israelite man had declared, “Do you see this man who keeps coming out? He comes to defy Israel. The king will make the man who kills him very rich and will give him his daughter. The king will also make the family of that man’s father exempt from paying taxes in Israel.” ²⁶ David spoke to the men who were standing with him: “What will be done for the man who kills that Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Just who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” ²⁷ The troops told him about the offer, concluding, “That is what will be done for the man who kills him.”

David can’t believe no one had taken the king up on this offer. He thinks he must not have heard it right. His faith was like Jonathan’s in chapter 14. Nothing can stop the Lord from saving by many or by few. He’s not afraid at all. Because, after all, what is an Anakim compared to the living God?

1 Samuel 17:28-29 – ²⁸ David’s oldest brother Eliab listened as he spoke to the men, and he became angry with him. “Why did you come down here?” he asked. “Who did you leave those few sheep with in the wilderness? I know your arrogance and your evil heart—you came down to see the battle!” ²⁹ “What have I done now?” protested David. “It was just a question.”

If Saul wasn’t going to do what he was clearly called to do, a next logical choice was Eliab. He was a big guy, too. Instead he turns his verbal weapons on his brother. He claims to be able to see into his heart. He insults David and his own father’s sheep. The term he uses is, “that bit of flock.”^[17]

We can’t see into another person’s heart. We shouldn’t pretend we can. What we can do is see the fruit of a life. From the heart, fruit is grown. Eliab is among those who are faithless and fearful before Goliath. He denigrates others. David is shown to be brave, trusting God, willing to serve. Most of all, David is shown as understanding this situation is spiritual, not material. It’s clear that he thinks any Israelite would’ve been able to defeat Goliath in God’s strength.

The question is actually for Eliab. Why did you come down here? You’re a soldier who doesn’t fight. Why haven’t you taken a step of faith? Instead of thinking he knew what was in David’s heart, he should’ve asked himself, “Why are you downcast, oh my soul? Why are you afraid of Goliath?” When the question is posed in the Psalms, the solution is then provided: “Put your hope in God, your Savior, and praise Him.” You see, God wanted to do a powerful work in Israel’s physical circumstances, but He would wait to do so until He found someone who had spiritual faith. God uses hearts, not helmets. Coming out victorious over temptation or suffering or opposition in the Christian life isn’t about swords and shields, but faith and fidelity. And any of us can have those.

1 Samuel 17:30-31 – ³⁰ Then he turned from those beside him to others in front of him and asked about the offer. The people gave him the same answer as before. ³¹ What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, so he had David brought to him.

No one thinks David is cut out for this job. Not Eliab, not Saul. Yet he’s immediately brought to the king. Why? Because they’re desperate for deliverance. And we’ll see God was ready to use him that day. He didn’t need a training montage. He didn’t need super-soldier serum. He didn’t need to watch film of Goliath’s fighting style. The Lord was ready to work through the power of His Spirit.

The same is true in our lives. God is ready to work in us and through us. He’s ready to accomplish His will in your life’s circumstances for our growth and His glory. It doesn’t matter if you are an unlikely candidate. It doesn’t matter if the circumstances seem overwhelming. God has plan and power for each one of His people. The battle is the Lord’s. We don’t have to forge bronze iron or grow an extra 5 feet in order to overcome temptation, sorrow, tribulations in life. The Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk, but of power. His divine power has given us everything required for life. How do we receive it? By being filled with the Holy Spirit, by growing in our knowledge of God and hearing His call.^[18] By living as Christians in whatever field we find ourselves in.