40 Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine. – 1 Samuel 17:40
What do you do when a giant taunts you and your God? Would it make a difference how you answer that question knowing that the giant is over nine feet tall? What if in addition to his great size advantage he also has much more fighting experience? In addition, he is well armed. This specific giant, as we all know as Goliath, wore into battle armor that weighed 125 pounds. Keeping in mind that at the time Goliath lived, the average man was about five and a half feet, his stature would have been that much more imposing. But Goliath wasn’t just physically imposing, he had a mouth to match his stature. Large and vocal. Seems to be a common trait of the enemies of God. But God has an answer for defiant giants. Smooth stones.
When young David saw Goliath, he wasn’t intimidated by his size.
When young David heard Goliath, he didn’t shrink back from his threats. To David, Goliath was a tool of Satan who had no right to defy the Lord’s army and needed to be silenced. Plain and simple. When King Saul tried to equip David with his personal armor David declined. Instead, he wanted a tested weapon; his sling and stones. So to the brook he went and chose five smooth stones. With a stone in his sling and four in his shepherd’s pouch, David approached Goliath. With one “shot” Goliath was face down on the ground. Dead. Silent. Never to defy the army of the Lord again. But Goliath wouldn’t be the only giant in David’s life. Fortunately, David still had his sling. And he still had four smooth stones. But most importantly, he placed himself in the hands of the God whose reputation he was so jealous of.
37 And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” – 1 Samuel 17:37
Before he battled Goliath, David was rebuked by his eldest brother who accused him of presumption and an evil heart. After his defeat of Goliath, he was the target of Saul’s jealousy. A jealousy so great that his life was threatened. When Saul killed the priests at Nob for aiding David, David had to battle a conscience that felt responsible for their deaths. When wronged by Nabal, David had to battle his own temper that would have resulted in the killing of Nabal if not for the intervention of Nabal’s wife Abigail.
David fought many battles….
His hands shed much blood. But perhaps the greatest giants he faced were not external, but internal. David’s greatest demon may have been lust. David had multiple wives, but his sin with Bathsheba, which led to the death of her husband, may have been his most difficult battle. A nine-foot giant approaching him with great armor he could defeat. A pretty woman bathing was too much for him. If only he would have lifted his eyes from Bathsheba to heaven. The Lord who delivered him from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear and the defiant giant Goliath could have delivered him from the temptation of Bathsheba. God knew Goliath wasn’t the last giant in David’s life. There was a reason David chose five smooth stones from the brook. God is well acquainted with Goliath’s family.
As we read about David’s life we are introduced to more giants.
Second Samuel chapter 21 records a subsequent battle with the Philistines in which Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of the giants sought to kill King David but was instead defeated by Abishai. The same chapter records another descendant of the giants who was known for having six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. This giant was defeated by Jonathan, David’s nephew. And then the chapter closes with this sentence:
22 These four were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants. – 2 Samuel 21:22
When David went to face Goliath, he chose five smooth stones from the brook. I doubt that he knew these four other giants were in his future, but the God whose reputation he was so passionate about did. As David stood over Goliath reveling in his victory, he had enough smooth stones in his shepherd’s pouch to defeat the remaining giants in Gath. What an important lesson for all of us. When we are confronted by life’s giants, there will always be a sufficient supply of smooth stones in our shepherd’s pouch to fight and defeat them. There are more than enough smooth stones in God’s brook to replenish the supply if we ever think we are running out of ammunition. God delights in delivering us from our enemy. He has given us weapons that are battle tested. He has given us a suit of armor that fits. Our responsibility is to put it on and stand firm (Ephesians 6:10-20).
Are you currently facing a giant in your life?…
Is he taunting you? Is he intimidating you? You know the Truth. You have the Spirit. You have been liberated by the Gospel. God has given You the shield of faith. You are a child of the God who knows every giant you will ever confront. Pick up your sling. Pull out one of the smooth stones and God will make sure Goliath ends up face down at your feet. Don’t worry about Goliath’s brothers, cousins or sons. God has their number as well. Never lose sight of whose battle it is. Whether it is the paw of a lion, the paw of a bear or the hands of a defiant giant, God is always more than able to deliver us.
4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. – 1 John 4:4
Thanks so much for reading the things God is laying on my heart. I love the story of David and Goliath and all the practical truths we can take away from it. If you are interested in reading more of my writings make sure to check out…
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