The struggle between David and Goliath
Scripture reading: 1 Samuel 17:1-4, 8-9, 39-50. Text: “David said to the Philistine (Goliath), ‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.’ . . . So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand, he struck down the Philistine and killed him.” 1 Samuel 17:45 and 50. No doubt one of the favorite stories of the Old Testament is David’s victory over Goliath. We heard it first in Sunday school or from our mother and later on, as people made reference to this uneven struggle and unexpected triumph. Let us remember what we had learned in Sunday school, and, as we are going deeper into this confrontation, let us also ask for a new interpretation and positive message.
Where does the struggle between David and Goliath take place?
The fight between the small shepherd boy and the brute Philistine warrior had taken place only once in history, about 3,000 years ago in Judea, when the Philistines had challenged the Israelites to a showdown.
Since David and Goliath had their bout, it has happened several times that a smaller and weaker party was challenged to a fight by an evidently bigger and stronger bully. How many times have we witnessed that the “superman” flexing his muscles and bragging about his skills openly and insultingly irritated the weaker one, leaving no doubt who will eventually win?
However, did you ever think of having a struggle within yourself, when the giant Goliath (our old self, Romans 6:6, our desires, wishes, temptations) confronts the small David (the new nature, Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 3:9-10, the faith, love, kindness) and the battle seems to be uneven? Are not the whole world and also our spiritual life full of irritations, challenges, and unfair oppositions? Does not life seem to be an uneven match?
Why is David’s victory delayed?
We have the tendency to underestimate Goliath’s power. We do not take temptations very seriously, we do not pay attention to warnings, and we mislead ourselves by stating; he (it) only seems to be so strong. We reassure ourselves; I can defeat him (or it) whenever I really want it, but I rather leave him (it) alone and let him play his game.
We have the inclination to overestimate David’s, ability. Do not we tell ourselves; when the situation will become grave I will take it seriously and take care of it, or: I have solved and survived more crucial problems in the past? And here is the example of the real David: with calling the name of the Lord for help a midget can become more powerful than a giant is. When the Lord is on our side there is no need to worry.
Do we have the habit of teasing and provoking Goliath? But when he (it) gets furious then we change our mind and ask him (it) to talk things over in a peaceful way. Do not people like to flirt with temptation and play chicken with danger?
Who is David and who is Goliath?
Usually we see the past more clearly than we do the present situation. It is easy to say afterward who was right and who was wrong. After the fight is over and it became obvious that David was ultimately stronger than Goliath, everybody openly sides with the champion.
And this is the point exactly where the word of God touches a sensitive spot; when it is uncertain that David will defeat Goliath, shall we support the truth or side with the strong? Or wait until the final outcome, and then make up our minds?
The bloody showdown between David and Goliath had taken place only once in history, and this one instance does not justify some people’s forcefulness in assuming that God always prefers quick and often gory solution helping the weaker to win.
Let a few questions cut deep into our conscience and the answers to them might offer some help; is a “David versus Goliath” struggle going on within you? Do you support the truth, or side with the stronger one? Does God always want to use forceful solution and His name be mentioned? Will, in every confrontation, God-fearing people win? For Christians, the real victor was not David on the battlefield – but Christ on the cross.
The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.