David vs Goliath
One of the most well-known Bible stories is the one about David and Goliath. It teaches us to have courage, have faith, and to overcome the seemingly insurmountable. The smallest of Jesse’s twelve sons was David. Israel was summoned one day to battle the Philistine army that had gathered to wage war. Young David stayed behind when his brothers went to fight. The two armies positioned themselves on either side of a wide valley. Over nine feet tall and a tremendous Philistine giant by the name of Goliath, who appeared daily in front of the Philistine battle line for forty days, ridiculed the Israelites and their God. King Saul and the Israelites were commanded to fight by Goliath, but they remained silent out of fear.
Jesse, David’s father, ordered him to the front lines to get information on the fighting from his siblings. Goliath was making fun of Israel’s God, David overheard. David showed courage by offering to take on Goliath. He convinced King Saul to give him permission to battle and made the decision not to wear any of the king’s armor. David lugged his sling while assembling five flat stones. Even though Goliath carried a sword and a spear, David said, he came in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, and that made Goliath laugh. David loaded a rock into his sling and slung it at Goliath’s head. The giant fell as a result of the rock entering his forehead. Then, David took up Goliath’s sword and killed him by chopping off his head with it.
The meaning behind the story
This well-known Bible story serves as a reminder of the bravery that men possess when they put all of their trust in God. David receives taunts from Goliath, but his faith is demonstrated when he refuses to back down in the face of the threats and instead warns Goliath with the hand of God. He rejected the physical armor, which stands for human might, but David wore the armor of God.
God’s complete set of armor
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
When they saw their gigantic hero murdered, the Philistines turned and fled. Because of a young boy who had faith and believed God, Israel had won the fight! Find more information, study guides, and summaries for this inspiring example of faith and God’s provision by reading the entire Bible story of David and Goliath.
