Indeed it is the story of human history, tapping into the fundamental conflict first seen in the early chapters of Genesis. The conflict between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent for the dominion of the created world. But while pop culture appreciates the story of the little guy winning, Bible believers recognize that this isn’t precisely the case. David wouldn’t have said so – He would have argued that the little guy lost. The conflict, strictly speaking, was not between David and Goliath, but between Goliath and the Creator in heaven. That being acknowledged, the Davidic instalment of this creation-old conflict has some interesting features that set it up as the premier Old Testament picture of the victory over the seed of the serpent that Jesus set in motion by His death on the cross. In this first article, the protagonists will be introduced and the stage set for the accompanying article that considers the battle and its outcome.
The Stage – Goliath’s Aggression
Goliath (meaning “mighty warrior”) was an imposing man, doubtlessly obtaining his moniker from the exploits he had accomplished in battle due to his great strength and size. But the very fact that there is a giant is a hint that something is up, something bigger is going on than just an overabundance of human growth hormone. Giants don’t appear willy-nilly throughout the Bible. They appear in opposition to the work and will of God. First found in pre-flood conditions (Genesis 6:1-4), they reappear as roadblocks to the occupation of Canaan – Og of Bashan (see Deuteronomy 3:1-13 and Joshua 12:4,5), and the Anakim (see Numbers 13:25-33 and Deuteronomy 9:2,3). Now here, just as God is setting up His kingdom on earth, there is a giant in the way. This isn’t happenstance, the old serpent (the devil) is behind it all.
The Snake – Goliath’s Armour
Goliath is armed with a lot of bronze. The Hebrew word for bronze sounds very similar to the word for serpent. Saul had met the serpent back in 1 Samuel 11. Nahash (Hebrew for serpent) had been terrorizing Israel then. The Israelites had also met fiery serpents in the wilderness (Numbers 21:4-9) and the remedy from their bites was a bronze serpent that they later worshipped as an idol –- Nehushtan (2 Kings 18:4). Goliath’s trunk was covered with scale armour, like the scales of fish in Leviticus 11 and the scales of the beastly Pharaoh that “inhabits” the Nile (Ezekiel 29:4). What is Goliath personifying? He is the beastly Dagon, the Philistine idol (1 Samuel 5:2-5), the latest serpentine champion set forth against the people and purposes of God.
The Son – David’s Arrival
God’s answer to such a beast is a son. An unassuming son. An obedient son. The “beloved” (meaning of David). A rejected brother. David, the shepherd boy, arrives on the battle field to Goliath’s taunts, and is immediately horrified that the living God would be defied in this way. His immediate efforts to remedy the situation are thwarted by false accusations of presumption and an evil heart. Reminds us of Abel. Joseph. Moses. Jesus. A long line of biblical sons have found themselves in trouble with those who should be supporting them in the struggle against the “serpent”!
The Shepherd – David’s Ability
David was a boy, likely a teenager, ready to take on this giant who was a student of war. To all around, he was less qualified than they were, and they were too afraid to take the giant on! Too young, too inexperienced, and too small, but they misjudged David. He was a shepherd who cared for his sheep. He had experience in interposing his life for sheep! Lions and bears did not survive their interactions with David’s sheep, not because of David’s personal might, but because of the LORD’s deliverance (v.37). David doesn’t see Goliath as any different. He is just another beast. Dominion over beasts had been provided in the past, why not now in the present? His training with lions and bears was not wasted. The Adamic loss of dominion over the animals in the garden is being reinstated through faith in God. It surely reminds us of Jesus being tempted by Satan in the wilderness for forty days (cp. Goliath’s forty days of taunting), untouched by the wild animals (Mark 1:13).
The Soldier – David’s Armour
Accepted by Saul as the Israelite champion, David is decked out in Saul’s armour. But David refuses it. He will not fight the Philistine with the same kind of weapons of war. Saul’s approach is to fight like with like – on this basis, he should have been the one out fighting. He was the one, of all Israelites, with the height, and the armour, and the sword! David sticks with what he knows – his shepherd equipment. His approach is that of faithfully taking care of sheep. He will keep them safe from the wild Animal, and all he has ever used before were sticks and stones. Sticks and stones are all you need to fight a snake, especially if you have five smooth stones and you know how to use a sling. Ironically, expertise with a sling was the Benjaminite advantage (Judges 20:16), but sadly again we see that Saul had already lost his ability and place as leader.
So we have a shepherd and a snake. A boy and a giant. Who will prevail? The one trusting in his personal size, strength and armour, or the one trusting in the living God (vv.26,36)? Who is the little guy? This should be instructive in the circumstances and challenges of our lives. We need to consider how we frame our difficulties and defeaters. Is the battle between self and the devil or have we recognized that the devil’s attacks are against the LORD? Do we war according to the standards of this world (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)? Or are we strapping on the armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-20)?
