SECTION 3. 16:1-20:42. THE RISE AND PRESERVATION OF DAVID. There is a certain irony in what follows. The people had chosen a king in order that they might find security in him, but their security is now to be revealed as resting in a war leader by the name of David, on whom YHWH has poured out His... [ Continue Reading ]
GOLIATH CHALLENGES ISRAEL WITH NO TAKERS. DAVID IS SENT TO TAKE HIS BROTHERS FOOD (1 SAMUEL 17:1). This passage brings us face to face with two figures, the first the formidable Philistine warrior, Goliath, who challenges Israel to send a man to fight him, with no takers, and the second a shepherd... [ Continue Reading ]
DAVID ARRIVES AT THE BATTLEFIELD AND IS APPALLED THAT ‘THIS UNCIRCUMCISED PHILISTINE' DARES TO DEFY THE ARMIES OF THE LIVING GOD (1 SAMUEL 17:20). Central to the last passage was that Goliath defied ‘the armies of Israel'. Central to this passage is that David sees him as defying ‘the armies of the... [ Continue Reading ]
DAVID OFFERS TO TAKE UP GOLIATH'S CHALLENGE AND IS ACCEPTED BY SAUL AS THE CHAMPION OF ISRAEL (1 SAMUEL 17:31). Once again we should note that central to this passage also is the fact that the Philistine was defying the armies of the living God (1 Samuel 17:36). As we have seen it is the theme of th... [ Continue Reading ]
DAVID MEETS GOLIATH (1 SAMUEL 17:40). As has been the pattern throughout the chapter the emphasis in this passage is again on the fact that the Philistine has defied YHWH, but here in a more personalised way. Note in fact the build up to this point (and note that each of these verses is central to... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ROUTING OF THE PHILISTINES (1 SAMUEL 17:51). Having brought the Philistine down David ran over to him and cut off his head with his own sword, and on seeing their champion humbled the Philistines had no further stomach for a fight. Terror appears to have taken hold of them, for they could no do... [ Continue Reading ]
THE AFTERMATH. HAVING PROMISED HIS DAUGHTER TO DAVID SAUL ENQUIRES ABOUT HIS ANTECEDENTS (1 SAMUEL 17:55). Analysis. a And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the captain of the host, “Abner, whose son is this youth?” (1 Samuel 17:55 a). b And Abner said, “As y... [ Continue Reading ]