Common Tools, Uncommon FaithCommon Tools, Uncommon Faith

David versus GoliathDavid versus Goliath

1 Samuel 171 Samuel 17

Summit View ChurchSummit View Church

Scott RaleyScott Raley

January 15, 2012January 15, 2012

1 Samuel 171 Samuel 17

11 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between

Sokoh and Azekah. Sokoh and Azekah. 22 Saul and the Israelites Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah

and drew up their battle line to meet the and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. Philistines. 33 The Philistines occupied one hill The Philistines occupied one hill

and the Israelites another, with the valley and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.between them.

(vv. 1-3, NIV)(vv. 1-3, NIV)

The Valley of Elah:The Valley of Elah:

about 20 miles southeast of Jerusalem . . .about 20 miles southeast of Jerusalem . . .

The Valley of Elah:The Valley of Elah:

about 20 miles southeast of Jerusalem . . .about 20 miles southeast of Jerusalem . . .

The Valley of Elah:The Valley of Elah:

about 20 miles southeast of Jerusalem . . .about 20 miles southeast of Jerusalem . . .

In this corner, ladies and gentlemen:In this corner, ladies and gentlemen:

Goliath, the WARRIOR!Goliath, the WARRIOR!

44 A champion named Goliath, who was from A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span.was six cubits and a span.[a] 5[a] 5He had a bronze He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale

armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekelsarmor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels[b][b]; ; 6 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a

bronze javelin was slung on his back. bronze javelin was slung on his back. 77 His spear His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point

weighed six hundred shekels.weighed six hundred shekels.[c] [c]

His shield bearer went ahead of him.His shield bearer went ahead of him.(1 Sam 17:4-7, NIV)(1 Sam 17:4-7, NIV)

________________________________________________________________________[a] [a] estimates vary, between 7 and 9estimates vary, between 7 and 91/21/2 feet tall; feet tall;

[b] [b] approx. 125-150 lbs.approx. 125-150 lbs.[c] [c] about 15 lbs.about 15 lbs.

The background . . . The background . . .

Before 1200 BC, bronze was the most Before 1200 BC, bronze was the most common usable and workingcommon usable and working

metal in the Near East. metal in the Near East.

The reason: ancient world was not advanced The reason: ancient world was not advanced enough to heat metal to the temperature enough to heat metal to the temperature

needed to melt iron and work it. needed to melt iron and work it.

Bronze is a mixture of copper and tin.Bronze is a mixture of copper and tin.

Iron, Copper, Tin Melting Points

While the Philistines might not have invented the While the Philistines might not have invented the process of smelting iron, they certainly played a process of smelting iron, they certainly played a part in beginning the Iron Age about 1200 B.C.part in beginning the Iron Age about 1200 B.C.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

David lived about 200 years later David lived about 200 years later

(approx. 1040–970 BC), and by then, the (approx. 1040–970 BC), and by then, the Philistines had a monopoly on the working of iron:Philistines had a monopoly on the working of iron:

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Not a blacksmith could be found in the whole land Not a blacksmith could be found in the whole land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, of Israel, because the Philistines had said,

“Otherwise the Hebrews will “Otherwise the Hebrews will

make swords or spears!”make swords or spears!”

(1 Sam 13:19, NIV)(1 Sam 13:19, NIV)

Goliath:Goliath:

• His height = 7 to 9+ feet tallHis height = 7 to 9+ feet tall

• A A bronze helmet bronze helmet on his head on his head

• Scale-armor of bronze Scale-armor of bronze weighing 125--150 lbsweighing 125--150 lbs

• On his legs, On his legs, bronze greavesbronze greaves (knee to ankle) (knee to ankle)

• A A bronze javelin bronze javelin was slung on his back, was slung on his back, ANDAND

• Carried a spearCarried a spear, shaft “like a weaver’s rod,” , shaft “like a weaver’s rod,” (2(21/21/2--3 inches thick),--3 inches thick),

• Its Its iron pointiron point weighed 15 lbs. weighed 15 lbs.(clearly, they used bronze for most of this (clearly, they used bronze for most of this

because of the weight, as compared to iron)because of the weight, as compared to iron)

Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I

not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to

me. me. 99 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; become your subjects;

but if I overcome him and kill him, but if I overcome him and kill him,

you will become our subjects and serve us.” you will become our subjects and serve us.”

(1 Sam 17:8-9, NIV)(1 Sam 17:8-9, NIV)

Then the Philistine said, Then the Philistine said,

““This day I defy the armies of Israel! This day I defy the armies of Israel!

Give me a man and let us fight each other.” Give me a man and let us fight each other.” 1111 On hearing the Philistine’s words, On hearing the Philistine’s words,

Saul and all the Israelites Saul and all the Israelites

were dismayed and terrified.were dismayed and terrified.

(1 Sam 17:10-11, NIV)(1 Sam 17:10-11, NIV)

And, in this corner:And, in this corner:

David, the shepherdDavid, the shepherd

(rather young, (rather young,

but, as the saying goes, but, as the saying goes,

““he ain’t dumb”)he ain’t dumb”)

Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah* of roasted grain and these ten loaves ephah* of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their of bread for your brothers and hurry to their

camp. camp. 1818 Take along these ten cheeses to the Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your commander of their unit. See how your

brothers are and bring back some assurance brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. from them. 1919 They are with Saul and all the They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting

against the Philistines.”against the Philistines.”(1 Sam 17:17-19, NIV)(1 Sam 17:17-19, NIV)

________________________________________________________________________

*An ephah = about 36 lbs.*An ephah = about 36 lbs.

Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was directed. He reached the camp as the army was

going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry.going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry.

2121 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. lines facing each other. 2222 David left his things with David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and

asked his brothers how they were.asked his brothers how they were.

(1 Sam 17:20-22, NIV)(1 Sam 17:20-22, NIV)

2323 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and

shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 2424 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, Whenever the Israelites saw the man,

they all fled from him in great fear.they all fled from him in great fear.

(1 Sam 17:23-24, NIV)(1 Sam 17:23-24, NIV)

25a25a Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? how this man keeps coming out?

He comes out to defy Israel. . . . “He comes out to defy Israel. . . . “

2626 David asked the men standing near him, “ David asked the men standing near him, “What will What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this

uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?armies of the living God?””

[[25b25bThey answered,] “The king will give great wealth to They answered,] “The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his the man who kills him. He will also give him his

daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.”taxes in Israel.”

((see: 1 Sam 17:22-27, NIVsee: 1 Sam 17:22-27, NIV))

2828 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the with whom did you leave those few sheep in the

wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch

the battle.” the battle.”

  2929 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” speak?” 3030 He then turned away to someone else He then turned away to someone else

and brought up the same matter, and the men and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. answered him as before.

3131 What David said was overheard and reported to What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, . . . and Saul sent for him. Saul, . . . and Saul sent for him.

(1 Sam 17:28-31, NIV)(1 Sam 17:28-31, NIV)

3232 David said to Saul, David said to Saul,

““Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine;

your servant will go and fight him.” your servant will go and fight him.”

  3333 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”

(1 Sam 17:32-33, NIV)(1 Sam 17:32-33, NIV)

But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 3535 I I

went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its

hair, struck it and killed it. hair, struck it and killed it. 3636 Your servant has killed Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised

Philistine will be like one of them, because he has Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God.defied the armies of the living God.

(1 Sam 17:35-36, NIV)(1 Sam 17:35-36, NIV)

3737 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from

the hand of this Philistine.”the hand of this Philistine.”

Saul said to David, Saul said to David,

““Go, and the LORD be with you.”Go, and the LORD be with you.”

(1 Sam 17:37, NIV)(1 Sam 17:37, NIV)

  3838 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his

head. head. 3939 David fastened on his sword over the tunic David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because and tried walking around, because

he was not used to them. he was not used to them.

   “   “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. am not used to them.” So he took them off.

(1 Sam 17:38-39, NIV)(1 Sam 17:38-39, NIV)

4040 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in smooth stones from the stream, put them in

the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.

(1 Sam 17:40, NIV)(1 Sam 17:40, NIV)

______________________________________________________

This sling . . . This sling . . .

and the five smooth stones . . . and the five smooth stones . . .

And why just 5 of them?And why just 5 of them?

Length -- 36 to 50 inches

single long strip of leather or woven wool, with a central “pocket” for

the stone

““Among all these soldiers Among all these soldiers [from the tribe of [from the tribe of Benjamin] there were Benjamin] there were seven hundred select seven hundred select troops who were left-troops who were left-handed, each of whom handed, each of whom could sling a stone at a could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.” hair and not miss.” (Judges 20:16)(Judges 20:16)

Before development of the modern compound bow, ancient slingers were as effective as

archers and served as an important

part of any military force.

A standard tennis ball is about 2.6 inches in diameter.

"After three seasons of excavation, we have found nearly three dozen slingstones. Most are

roughly round and slightly over two inches in diameter, from the size of a billiard ball to a

tennis ball."--archaeologist Dr. Bryant Wood

A good slinger hurls a stone as far, or more, and as accurately as a good archer.

Roman military texts recommended archery target practice at about 200 yards,

while slingers practiced at 300 yards. Slingers are known to hurl their projectiles even

farther, as much as a quarter of a mile (Guinness Book of World Records,

slinging stone, 437m, 1982), and they leave a sling at a speed in excess of 60 miles per hour.

   4141 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. front of him, kept coming closer to David. 4242 He He

looked David over and saw that he was little more looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. he despised him. 4343 He said to David, “Am I a dog, He said to David, “Am I a dog,

that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. cursed David by his gods. 4444 “Come here,” he said, “Come here,” he said,

“and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!” animals!”

4545 David said to the Philistine, . . . David said to the Philistine, . . .

(1 Sam 17:41-44, NIV)(1 Sam 17:41-44, NIV)

““You come against me with sword and spear and You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. whom you have defied. 4646 This day the LORD will This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the and cut off your head. This very day I will give the

carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that wild animals, and the whole world will know that

there is a God in Israel. there is a God in Israel. 4747 All those gathered here All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the will know that it is not by sword or spear that the

LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” will give all of you into our hands.”

(1 Sam 17:45-47, NIV)(1 Sam 17:45-47, NIV)

4848 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 4949 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he

slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell stone sank into his forehead, and he fell

facedown on the ground. facedown on the ground.   5050 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling

and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. down the Philistine and killed him.

  5151 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After

he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead,

they turned and ran.they turned and ran.(1 Sam 17:48-51, NIV)(1 Sam 17:48-51, NIV)

David’s story:David’s story:

--when he saw a need to proclaim faith, --when he saw a need to proclaim faith,

he took the stepshe took the steps

--used a common weapon which he understood and --used a common weapon which he understood and he didn’t wear someone else’s armorhe didn’t wear someone else’s armor

--played to his own strengths, trusted what God had --played to his own strengths, trusted what God had taught him in his own experiencetaught him in his own experience

David’s story:David’s story:

--his trust in the LORD took care of his fear--his trust in the LORD took care of his fear

--no matter how big the “problem” is, --no matter how big the “problem” is,

nothing is bigger than Godnothing is bigger than God

--took that step of faith even when it wasn’t popular--took that step of faith even when it wasn’t popular

--new technology is fine, but it can’t take the place of --new technology is fine, but it can’t take the place of God or faith.God or faith.

David’s story:David’s story:

Common tools, uncommon faithCommon tools, uncommon faith

That’s what we have to use, too.That’s what we have to use, too.