45 David said to the Philistine, "You come against mewith sword and spear and javelin, but I come againstyou in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of thearmies of Israel, whom you have defied. - P148
47 All those gathered here will know that it is not bysword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is theLORD‘s, and he will give all of you into our hands." - P149
49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, heslung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. Thestone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown onthe ground. - P149
When Goliath sees David, he despises him and curses him in the name of hisgods. David declares that he will go forth in the name of the Lord Almighty,
the God of the armies of Israel, and God will deliver Goliath into his hands. - P149
AsGoliath approaches, David strikes him on the forehead with a stone. The stonesinks into Goliath‘s forehead and he falls to the ground.
The contrast between the two champions entering into battle is sostark it is almost comical. - P150
David looks more like a schoolboy than awarrior, armed only with a few stones and a slingshot. - P150
Goliath, onthe other hand, is the Philistines‘ greatest weapon and is insulted bythe weakness of his adversary. - P150
Underneath this external contrast lies acontrast of faith. David places his faith in God while Goliath trusts inhis own might. - P150
Seeing David, Goliath believes that his victory is guaranteed.
But David is also filled with confidence-not in himself butin the mighty God he serves. - P150
Let us enter into the battles of life withthe confidence of David. Though we may be weak, our Lord is strong. - P150
We can see from David‘s response to Goliath‘s taunts that he is coura-geous, full of faith, and completely unintimidated. - P150
Goliath comes tothe battle with sword, spear, and javelin, but David enters the fight inthe name of the Lord Almighty. The fight ends swiftly-David dealsa fatal blow to Goliath‘s head with the first stone in his slingshot. - P150
Thisdecisive victory proves that the battle indeed belongs to the Lord, andeven the giant Goliath was no match for the God of the armies of Israel.
- P150
It also points to the greater David, Jesus Christ, who would defeatgreatest enemy on the cross and bring salvation to God‘s people. - P150
We aresaved by His grace alone, not by our strength, so that no one can boast. - P150
Dear God, You are the one who brings victory into my life. - P151
In all my hardships,
You help me to persevere with the promise that You are with me. In Christ, Youempower me to overcome the enemy. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P151
[NIV] 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with asling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struckdown the Philistine and killed him. - P152
51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of thePhilistine‘s sword and drew it from the sheath. After hekilled him, he cut off his head with the sword. Whenthe Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turnedand ran. - P152
58 "Whose son are you, young man?" Saul asked him.
David said, "I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem." - P153
David runs to Goliath and kills him with his own sword, cutting off his head.
Seeing that their hero is dead, the Philistines try to run away but the Israelitespursue them. - P153
David takes Goliath‘s head to Jerusalem. When David is broughtbefore Saul, he tells him that he is the son of Jesse of Bethlehem. - P153
David takes Goliath‘s head to Jerusalem. When David is broughtbefore Saul, he tells him that he is the son of Jesse of Bethlehem. - P153
The Philistines watch in horror as their seemingly invincible champion.
is killed by an Israelite shepherd boy. - P154
Their arrogance quickly turns tofear, and they retreat, realizing that there is a power among the Israelitecamp that is far greater than the strength of their army. - P154
The Israelites, however, are emboldened
by this display of God‘s power, and they surgeforward to defeat their enemy. - P154
Here, we are given a picture of whatspiritual victory looks like. If just one faithful person stands up to thelies of the enemy and declares the greatness of God, this can cause allthe powers of Satan to scatter in fear. - P154
The Lord has already guaranteedthe victory, all we need do is step forward and take hold of it. - P154
In this conversation between King Saul and Abner, his army commander,
it is revealed that neither of them know the identity of theman who has just won them victory over the Philistines. - P154
David appearsyoungbefore Saul, still holding Goliath‘s head, and says that he is the son ofSaul‘s servant Jesse. - P154
It is ironic that the king and his commander playedno role in the fight, but simply watched from a distance as David-anobody-won the battle for them. - P154
But for those who understand theworkings of the kingdom of God, it comes as no surprise. God willoften choose the lowly to bring to nothing what the world considersimportant. - P154
Lord Jesus, thank you for the cross. I place my faith wholly in Your victory oversin and the devil, and trust that you will be with me in all my spiritual battles.
- P155
Give me the strength to overcome and work through me to build up Yourkingdom. In Your name, amen. - P155
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