Here in one corner we have the “behemoth” Goliath, towering over 9 feet and weighing in at probably over 650 lbs, in turn clad in heavy armor, with 3 weapons (spear, sword, javelin) and one armor bearer, twice a day for 40 days bellowing like a man with a megaphone derisive taunts in the valley of Elah, threatening and frightening the army of Israel, the army of the “living God”, paralyzing them with fear (isn’t this the potential effect fear can have on us all? see study on Fear, How to Handle It cp studies on [1] Anxiety in 1Pe 5:7; [2]  Anxious, be anxious in Php 4:6, 7; [3] Jesus’ solution “Do not be worried” in Mt 6:25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34). The Philistine’s champion (Lit “man in the middle”) challenged Israel to a “winner take all” duel (although if you have read the entire story you know that the Philistines were hardly men of integrity – cf 1Sa 17:9,51). And so into this setting young David comes on the scene providentially (in God’s perfect timing) bringing provisions for his older brothers.

HOW DOES SAUL’S (and HIS ARMY’S) REACTION  REACTION TO GOLIATH CONTRAST WITH DAVID’S REACTION?

So clearly the LORD’s work will be accomplished in the LORD’s power — by His Spirit not by the arm of flesh.  As we have discussed above, David had been clothed mightily with the Spirit (1Sa 16:13). Here in Zechariah 4 the LORD of hosts reminded Zerubbabel (and all believers of all ages) that when faced with impossible odds and intense resistance, we need to remember that the “mountain” will be made into a plain not by our MIGHT nor by our POWER, but by the Spirit of the LORD of hosts. David had come to understand this empowering truth while pasturing sheep and protecting them from predators. David recognized His source of strength – yes, David personally had killed the lion and bear (Man’s Responsibility) but he understood that His deliverance was by the hand of the LORD of hosts (God’s sovereignty).  And we too must learn this same lesson in our private battles with predators, be they tempting thoughts or ruthless enemies. Then we will be prepared to experience victory in the public arena in the power of the Spirit of the LORD of hosts.

Spurgeon rightly reminds every believer that…

Unless the Spirit of God be upon us (cp Jn 15:5, Ep 5:18–note, Gal 5:16–note), we have no might from within and no means from without to rely upon. Wait upon the Lord (Ed: Have you ever done a study on “waiting” on Jehovah? – take a moment and make a list of truths associated with such a glorious wait — Ps 25:3, 21–notes, Ps 27:14–notes, Ps 37:7, 8, 9, 34–notes; Ps 52:9–notes, Ps 62:5–notes, Ps 69:6–notes; of Israel redeemed from Egypt = Ps 106:13–notes; Ps 119:43–notes; Ps 119:74–notes; Ps 119:81–notes; Ps 119:114–notes; Ps 119:147–notes; Ps 130:5–notes; Ps 147:11–notes; Isa 8:17, 40:31), beloved, and seek strength from Him alone (cp Ep 3:16–note, Ep 6:10–note). There cannot come out of you what has not been put into you. You must receive and then give out.

Martin Luther said it well…

Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God’s own choosing;
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
(Play hymn – A Mighty Fortress is Our God)

HOW DOES DAVID RESPOND TO GOLIATH’S CHALLENGE?

WHAT OPPOSITION DOES DAVID ENCOUNTER? WHERE DOES OPPOSITION EMANATE FROM MOST OFTEN?

While David is trying to encourage the army, his own brother Eliab (who incidentally had been passed over by God for anointing by Samuel in 1Sa16:6, 7) slandered his character and wrongly judged his motives, trying to discourage him (1Sa 17:28). Note that David proves himself to be a man after God’s own heart (1Sa 13:14, Acts 13:22), bearing the rebuke meekly.

Whenever you step out by faith, others will often put obstacles in your way. Our adversary the devil, always has somebody to tell us “it can’t be done.” Saul also tried to dissuade David saying “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth while he has been a warrior from his youth.” (1Sa17:33). In a sense Saul (unknowingly) was correct for David, in himself, was not able, but in the power of the Spirit of the LORD of Sabaoth he was equipped to overcome even the most formidable foe. (Phil 4:13–note; Eph 3:20, 21–note). David unlike his brother Eliab and his king Saul was walking “by faith, not by sight” (2Cor 5:7)

David believed what could not be proven at that moment, a beautiful OT example of “the conviction of things not seen” (Heb 11:1–note) as he walked by faith, not sight (2Co 5:7). He may have sounded foolish to the skeptics (those who manifested attitudes of doubt or dispositions toward incredulity to David’s words) around him, but he knew that the LORD of Hosts Whom he served would show Himself to be the true and living God, the mighty Warrior on behalf of His covenant people. (Ex 15:3, cp Ps 20:7–note)

Some boast in chariots, and some in horses; but we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God. (Ps 20:7–note; cp Dt 17:16, 20:1, speaking of Sennacherib of mighty Assyria = 2Chr 32:8, 21, 22, 23;  2Chr 20:15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24; Ps 33:16, 17; 20, 21–note; Ps 147:10, 11–note; Pr 21:31; Eccl 9:11, Isa 31:1, Jer 17:5, 6, 7, 8)

Where do you run for help? When you are in trouble, what is you first instinct? Do you run to others or to God? Is it usually the counsel of another rather than the counsel found in waiting upon God in prayer? Why is this? Why do we run to man before we run to our all sufficient God (Isa 50:2, 59:1)? Could it be because we don’t really KNOW our God? Could it be said of most believers in the America today “I boast in the Name of the Lord my God and not in chariots or horses (or my 401K, or my advanced learning degree, or my excellent job, etc)”?

To boast in something ultimately reflects our confidence in that in which we boast. It is the idea of placing one’s trust in another, in this case in Jehovah of the Armies! To boast in God’s name then means to have confidence in His name. Remember that in Biblical times a name represented a person’s character. Thus God’s name represents His character, His attributes, His ways. And to know His name is to know Him. To boast in His name is to have confidence in Who He says He is and what He promises to do on behalf of those who by grace through faith are in His family (Jn 1:12, 13). In the day of trouble (Ps 20:1–note, Ps 27:5–note, Ps 41:1–note, Ps 50:15–note, Nahum 1:7) or need, we are to run to our God, to put our trust in Him. In the day of trouble or need, we are to run into the strong tower of the Name of our God, putting our trust in Him (Pr 18:10–note). Is your heart troubled right now? Is fear lurking in the shadows of your consciousness? Do you feel insecure about anything in this turbulent, tumultuous world? Take these thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ, specifically to the Name of the LORD of hosts, your God Who Alone is the One who is able to set you securely on high. Then boast in His name. David had a great name, but the name of the Lord is much greater. Some people have names that cannot be trusted, but God’s name has never failed one of His saints. Your days of trouble can become days of triumph if you trust in the name of the Lord.

Spurgeon writes:

Immediately before the encounter with the Philistine (David) fought a battle which cost him far more thought, prudence, and patience. The word-battle in which he had to engage with his brothers and with king Saul, was a more trying ordeal to him than going forth in the strength of the Lord to smite the uncircumcised boaster. Many a man meets with more trouble from his friends than from his enemies; and when he has learned to overcome the depressing influence of prudent friends, he makes short work of the opposition of avowed adversaries.

David Guzik echoes Spurgeon’s thoughts:

When David was misunderstood and rebuked, publicly, by his own brother, probably amid the laughs of the other soldiers, he could have blown it. But he showed the strength of the armor of God in his life, and replied rightly. He didn’t care about his glory or success, but only for the glory and success of the Lord’s cause. Goliath was a dead man right then! This is where the battle was won! If Eliab’s hurtful words can get David in the flesh, and out of the flow of the Spirit of the Lord, then David’s strength is gone. But when David ruled his spirit (see Pr 16:32, 25:28, 1Co 9:24, 25, 26, 27) and answered softly, he was more in step with the Spirit of the Lord than ever. You could start digging Goliath’s grave right then!

HOW DID DAVID CONVINCE SAUL THAT HE WAS WILLING and ABLE TO FIGHT GOLIATH?

Saul tried to fit David with armor, but since he had not tested it, David refused (1Sa 17:38, 39).  Saul reasoned that if David was going to beat Goliath who was massively armed and defended (1Sa 17:5, 6, 7), he would need the best armor in Israel – the armor of the king. Saul saw the battle with eyes of flesh while David saw the battle with eyes of faith. David did not face Goliath unarmed. To the natural man (1Cor 2:14, 2Cor 4:18) it of course looked that way. However to those enabled to see with eyes of faith (2Co 5:7, Ep 1:18, 19–note) David had much better armor than the king of Israel for he possessed the supernatural armor of the King of kings (Re 17:14–note, Re 19:16–note) available to every child of the King! Saul had a bronze helmet, but David had “the helmet of salvation” (Eph 6:17–note). Saul had armor, but David had a “breastplate of righteousness” (Eph 6:14–note). Saul had a spear, but David had the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph 6:17–note). Indeed, David had the “full armor” of God! (Eph 6:11–note). That same armor was available to Saul and at one time he had it. But now, Saul only trusted in man’s armor and that is why David is going out to face Goliath, and Saul is on the sideline.

David had been tested and prepared for this task by God with his private victories over the lion and bear while caring for his sheep and these made possible the public victories (1Sa 17:34, 35, 36, 37) to the glory of God. If we are faithful in our private battles, God will see us through the public testing. Too often we faint at the smallest test that comes our way, little realizing that the “little tests” are but preparation for the bigger battles that are sure to come (see Jer 12:5). In 1Samuel 17 we see that a seemingly trivial errand to provide provision for his brothers led to a challenging situation that brought glory to God and recognition to David. The point is that all believers should adhere to the Boy Scout motto — BE PREPARED.
 

As Paul exhorted young Timothy

Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.” (2Ti 2:21–note).

We never know when our opportunity might come. If God has called you to a task, He’ll equip you for the completion. Use what He has given you, and you’ll see what He can do with little things. The Lord uses small tools to perform large tasks.
 

Use now what God has given you,
Count not its worth as small;
God does not ask of you great things,
Just faithfulness–that’s all!  — Bosch

WHERE WAS DAVID’S CONFIDENCE?

David focused on the LORD of hosts (cp He 12:2–note), Who had delivered him in the past and  Who he confidently affirms “will deliver me.” Do we really believe that the LORD of hosts will deliver us when “Goliath-like” adversity or adversaries confront us?  (see 1Co 10:13–notes) God will deliver us. He has promised to bring us to our destination because

He who began a good work in you will perfect (accomplish, complete) it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Php 1:6–note). cp Ro 8:28–note, Ro 8:29 –note = notice the ultimate purpose = conformity to the image of His Son)

God may choose to deliver us FROM our trial or to deliver us IN the midst of trial, but He will deliver us! (cp the testimony of Shadrach, et al, when faced with fiery trial Daniel 3:14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)

The LORD of hosts to Whom David entrusted himself in his hour of great need is the same yesterday, today and yes tomorrow (Heb13:8–note). Let us run confidently into the immutable (see God’s Attribute = unchangeable) Strong Tower of Jehovah Sabaoth and we will be safe (Pr 18:10–note)

HOW WOULD YOU CONTRAST SAUL’S SOLUTION TO THE GIANT WITH DAVID’S SOLUTION?

Did you notice that even after giving David a blessing (or prayer) in the Name of the LORD, Saul still had to rely on human wisdom, reasoning that if David were adequately equipped, he would have a better chance for victory. David however as discussed above had already been clothed with the Spirit and thus he had the full armor of the LORD. All David needed was the 5 “S’s” – Stick, Stones, Shepherd’s bag, Sling and Spirit, for he was looking not at what could be seen but what was unseen (cf 2Co 4:18 Spurgeon), the LORD of hosts. As an aside, it is interesting to note that Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin, the tribe specifically mentioned in (Judges 20:16–note)

Out of all these people 700 choice men (Benjaminites) were left-handed each one could sling a stone at a hair and not miss. (Hebrew for “miss” = chata translated elsewhere in Scripture as “sin” meaning to “miss the mark”!)

This fact adds a touch of irony to David’s use of the slingshot as his weapon of choice to fell Goliath. Had Saul, a Benjaminite, been trained to use this weapon?

HOW DID GOLIATH DISDAIN DAVID?

In essence Goliath was not just cursing David but David’s God, emphasizing that although this was a battle between two men, in another sense it was clearly a spiritual battle “for our struggle (Gk = pale – wrestling – a contest between two in which each endeavors to throw the other and which is decided when the victor is able to hold his opponent down w/ his hand upon his neck) is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12–note) and we too like David need to daily “therefore take up (Gk = aorist imperative = command to do this now, signifying the necessity and urgency of the action commanded) the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist (Gk – anthistemi – set one’s self against, oppose, withstand, cf Jas 4:7) in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” (Eph 6:13–note)

WHAT WAS DAVID’S STRATEGY? DAVID’S PROPHECY? DAVID’S ULTIMATE PURPOSE?

The terms of conflict were not at all as they appeared. David perceived the battle to be between blasphemous mortal man on one side and the power of the Lord of hosts on the other. Goliath was outclassed but being a natural man, he did “not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they (were) foolishness to him and he (could not) understand them, because they are spiritually appraised” (1Co 2:14). 

David’s ultimate purpose was to bring glory to God throughout “all the world”. To give glory means to give a proper opinion of God and throughout the ages all the world has heard about David’s improbable victory because of his Almighty God. Not only would the world know about God but Israel would also understand that God’s ways are transcendent and are not like man’s ways. God’s deliverance is never by the “arm of flesh” (“sword or spear”) but by the arm of the LORD of hosts, a mighty Warrior Who is over all the armies of heaven and earth. The Battle belongs to the LORD.

F. B. Meyer in his devotional exposition on David lists characteristics of those who do battle in the Name of the LORD:

(1) Their motives are pure — Though David was accused of having evil motives, his motives were in fact pure. He was motivated by a true love for the LORD, and for the glory and honor of the Lord.
(2) They are willing to let the Lord lead the battle. David did this at the prompting of God, not his own flesh.
(3) They place no confidence in the flesh. David would not wear Saul’s armor.
(4) They are willing to stand alone. David was willing to fight all alone.

When the soldiers of Israel saw Goliath, they thought to themselves, “He is so big that we can never kill him.” When David saw Goliath, he thought to himself, “He is so big that I cannot miss him.” David maintained a proper perspective because he focused on the Person of His trustworthy covenant keeping LORD rather than upon the “problem” of the taunting Philistine. Though Goliath was naturally equipped with impressive size to which was added military attire, David was supernaturally armed with “the name of the LORD of Hosts”. As we have seen so often in the Names of God series, the name of a person represents the totality of that individual’s being. And so it was clear to David, that the LORD over all the armies of heaven and earth dwarfed the giant of flesh on earth (1Sa 17:26, 36). By walking out in faith that the Lord of Hosts was his strength and sufficiency, David was clarifying that Goliath was not just confronting David but the Living God Himself (1Sa 17:47).

We need to ask God to search our heart…

How big is the giant in my life? How big is God in my life?
Whose arm am I trusting in?…the arm of flesh? …or the arm of the LORD of hosts
Where is my focus in the battle? …on the “giants” or on the LORD of hosts?
What is my perspective on the “giants” in my life?
Am I like Saul? …It’s too big – there is no hope of victory.
Am I like David? …It’s too big – I can’t miss!
Am I remaining faithful in the private struggles that I might be fruitful in the public battles?…that all may know there is a God?

Both Hannah and David called upon the Lord of hosts and found deliverance through His marvelous Name, Jehovah Sabaoth.. Deliverance is there for us as well – whatever our extremity. Every extremity is another opportunity to practice living in the light of the truth that sets us free and sets us apart, making us more like Jesus. But note that this name (or any of the other “Strong Towers” in this study) cannot be used as an amulet or talisman around one’s neck and it cannot be spoken out as if it were a magical incantation. It is absolutely crucial to remember that it is the RIGHTEOUS who run into this Name and are kept safe (Proverbs 18:10).

Study the other occurrence of the LORD of hosts in 1 Samuel 4 below for insights into who can expect deliverance in the Strong Tower of the LORD of hosts. This is crucial for every saint to understand if we would truly bask in the experiential truth that we are “more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Ro 8:37–note, Spurgeon’s note).

‘Twas Israel’s God and king,
Who sent him to the fight;
Who gave him strength to fling,
And skill to aim aright.
Ye feeble saints your strength endures,
Because young David’s God is yours.–From Jehovah Nissi, the LORD My Banner –by William Cowper