1 Samuel 17:48
And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
As the Philistine arose and drew nigh, David hasted and ran toward the army to meet him without hesitation, while Goliath rushed forward in anger. While Israel was afraid, David advanced fearlessly with courage and zeal to defend the honor of God and His people, and that advance prepared him to strike the Philistine. He met Goliath without Saul's armor, with only sling and stones, and his courage rested not on superior weapons or skill but on trust in the Lord of hosts to deliver Israel and give victory so that the earth would know there is a God in Israel and that the battle belongs to the Lord. The meeting is the contrast between David going forth in humble trust in the God of Israel and Goliath going forth in confident, boastful self-magnification. By laying aside Saul's armor because he could not wear it and slaying the Philistine in his own way with the familiar sling and stone, David shows that no person is to sink individuality in another or be fashioned after man's pattern, but each is to work with God-given ability in the armor God provides.
David Meets Goliath
When the Philistine arose and came and drew nigh to meet him, David hasted and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. He hurried forward to face the giant as Goliath advanced, meeting him without hesitation. While David ran to the encounter, Goliath himself rushed forward in anger.
While all Israel was afraid, David advanced fearlessly. He went forward with courage and zeal to defend the honor of God and His people. That fearless advance prepared him to strike the Philistine.
He met Goliath without Saul's armor, with only sling and stones. His courage rested not on superior weapons or skill but on trust in the Lord of hosts. God would deliver Israel and give the victory so that the earth would know that there is a God in Israel and that the battle belongs to the Lord. His advance in that trust led to Goliath's defeat and Israel's deliverance.
Later Memory and Failure
David's running to meet the Philistine was an act of valor whose outcome turned the battle against the Philistines. That victory was remembered by the Philistines when they later welcomed David, for they hoped to use his strength against Saul and Israel. Going in God's name to vanquish the giant stands as an example of courage and trust that David later needed to remember when fear and distress weakened his faith.
He had boldly advanced to meet Goliath, trusting in God and with courage defeating the Philistine champion. His later flight to Gath to seek protection from the Philistines without seeking God's counsel shows how fear and distress could shake that faith and cause it to fail.
Lessons for God's Workers
The verse sets humble trust against boastful self-confidence, for David meets the Philistine in humble trust in the God of Israel while Goliath goes forth in confident, boastful self-magnification. Ministers are therefore not to take Goliath's part by defying and provoking discussion, but to let the defying remain on the side of the opposers of truth. They are not to trust in prepared arguments as David was urged to trust in Saul's armor, but like humble David are to trust in the God of Israel and make Him their strength, hiding behind Jesus and humbling their hearts in faith so that God gives truth the victory. When they go forth confident and boastful, elated and out of balance, discussions are not successful and the result is injury to their own souls and to the souls of others.
By laying aside Saul's armor because he could not wear it and slaying the Philistine in his own way with the familiar sling and stone, David shows that no person is to sink individuality in another or be fashioned after man's pattern. Each consecrated life is developed in its own individuality with unity in diversity, mind blending with mind while no two are of the same mold, with abundant room to act the part God assigns in harmonious diversity. Each is to work with God-given ability in the armor God provides, with character fashioned after the Lord's ideal and not after man's pattern, under the molding of the Holy Spirit toward the fragrance of Christ's character. Fellow workers are to be allowed to grow in religious experience, and none is at liberty to demerit and belittle God's workmanship because another does not bear his likeness.
A proud and boastful opponent defying Israel is met and defeated by truth like the small pebbles David used, exposing his weakness. Victory over falsehood and misrepresentation comes not by sharp and severe dealing but by meeting the opponent with truth in dignity under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, without losing temper, with brethren standing by and special prayer each time for victory to the truth, while the Lord stands by His servant and leaves a right impression favoring the truth. Goliath's defiance with contempt, ridicule and personal abuse is repeated whenever men trample the Lord God of Israel by abusing His law and heap contempt and ridicule upon His workers. Such boasting is the worst insult and the hardest to bear patiently, yet it is to be met without retaliation and without letting up on the work, by moving forward by faith until the conflict is ended.