17:1-58

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Goliath’s challenge and defeat

(1Sa 17:1-58)

The Philistines again assembled their troops to fight against Israel (1Sa 17:1-3).

As often happened in ancient warfare, the invaders challenged the defenders by calling for a contest between the champions of the two sides (1Sa 17:4-11).

At this time David was back on his father’s farm at Bethlehem, for he did not need to remain at Saul’s court when Saul was away directing affairs on the battlefield (1Sa 17:12-16).

When circumstances later brought David to the scene of the battle, he discovered that the Philistines had a champion, Goliath, whom no Israelite dared to fight (1Sa 17:17-25).

David was not even a soldier, but he volunteered to fight the Philistine (1Sa 17:26-32).

He reasoned that since Goliath had defied God he was certain of defeat, and since Israel was God’s army it was certain of victory (1Sa 17:33-40; cf. 1Sa 17:26, 45).

David killed Goliath without using a sword or a spear, proving that God did not need weapons to save his people (1Sa 17:41-50).

The Philistines fled in confusion, but the Israelites caught and killed many of them, then plundered the camp they left behind (1Sa 17:51-54).

Saul did not immediately recognize David as the young man who had previously played music to calm him during his half-mad fits.

It was probably after David’s victory over Goliath that Saul took him into his court permanently, making him his armour-bearer and full-time court musician (1Sa 17:55-58; see 1Sa 16:21-22; 18:2).