Topical Bible: Israel: Under the Kings Before the Separation Into Two Kingdoms: Goliath Killed

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During the period of the united monarchy in Israel, before the division into the northern and southern kingdoms, the nation was under the rule of its first king, Saul. This era is marked by significant events that shaped the identity and faith of Israel, one of which is the encounter between David and Goliath.

The account of David and Goliath is found in 1 Samuel 17. The Philistines, a perennial enemy of Israel, had gathered their forces for war against Israel. The two armies faced each other in the Valley of Elah. The Philistines had a champion named Goliath, a giant of a man, whose height was six cubits and a span. Goliath challenged the Israelites to send out a champion to fight him, proposing that the outcome of this single combat would determine the servitude of the losing side.

Goliath's challenge struck fear into the hearts of the Israelite soldiers, including King Saul. For forty days, Goliath taunted the armies of Israel, but no one dared to face him. It was during this time that David, the youngest son of Jesse, came to the battlefield to bring provisions to his brothers who were in Saul's army.

David, a shepherd boy at the time, was indignant at the defiance of Goliath against the armies of the living God. He volunteered to fight Goliath, expressing his faith that the Lord, who had delivered him from the paw of the lion and the bear, would deliver him from the hand of this Philistine. Saul, initially skeptical, eventually consented and offered David his own armor, which David declined, choosing instead to face Goliath with his sling and five smooth stones.

As David approached Goliath, the Philistine mocked him, but David's response was one of profound faith and confidence in God's deliverance. He declared, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied" (1 Samuel 17:45).

In the ensuing battle, David struck Goliath on the forehead with a stone from his sling, causing the giant to fall face down to the ground. David then used Goliath's own sword to kill him and cut off his head. This victory was a turning point, as it led to the rout of the Philistine army by the Israelites.

David's triumph over Goliath is a testament to the power of faith and God's sovereignty. It highlights the theme that God does not save by sword or spear, for the battle is the Lord's. This event also foreshadows David's future role as king of Israel, demonstrating his courage, reliance on God, and leadership qualities that would later define his reign.

The account of David and Goliath remains a powerful narrative of faith and divine intervention, illustrating that God can use the seemingly weak and insignificant to accomplish His purposes and deliver His people.

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1 Samuel 17:1
Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongs to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim.
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Library

The Oration on Holy Baptism.
... the midst of them, [4032] gods and kings, deciding and ... nor a whetted razor, [4158]
nor turn under our tongue ... check by continence, as the Law bade Israel of old ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xl the oration on.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel" (Amos 7 ... This "tree of knowledge,"
as I said before, was a ... the world, was made under the law, under its command ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... hands (as you see), and is in kings' palaces' (Prov ... But met you with no opposition
before you set out of ... given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm

The Greatness of the Soul,
... men (Numbers 14:9), to fear idols (2 Kings 17:7 ... see how quickly the body, when the
soul is under a fear ... joined to the body, and death, which before did separate ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the greatness of the soul.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... to the reader's recollection when he peruses Israel's Hope Encouraged ... as a
Christian.'[32] 'Let kings have that ... the pilgrims into a net,[70] under the pretence ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm