1 Samuel 17:41-49

David’s victory by faith 17:41-49

Goliath disdained David because the lad had no battle scars; he was not a warrior at all but simply a fresh-faced boy (1 Samuel 17:42). Goliath assumed that he would win because his physical power and armaments were superior. As often happens, pride preceded a fall (Proverbs 16:18).

1 Samuel 17:45-47 give the clearest expression to David’s faith in Yahweh. He viewed Yahweh as the commander of Israel’s armies, a view of God that Saul never accepted but which made the difference between Saul’s failure and David’s success as the Lord’s anointed (1 Samuel 17:45). He also saw God as the real deliverer of Israel (1 Samuel 17:46). Furthermore, David was jealous for the reputation of God (1 Samuel 17:47), not his own glory, which so preoccupied Saul. His faith must have rested on God’s promises concerning victory against the enemies of God’s people for their confidence in Him and their obedience to His word (Genesis 12:3; Deuteronomy 31:1-8; Joshua 1:1-9).

"Intimidation. That’s our MAJOR battle when we face giants. When they intimidate us, we get tongue-tied. Our thoughts get confused. We forget how to pray. We focus on the odds against us. We forget whom we represent, and we stand there with our knees knocking. I wonder what God must think, when all the while He has promised us, ’My power is available. There’s no one on this earth greater. You trust Me.’ . . .

"David lived by a very simple principle: nothing to prove, nothing to lose. He didn’t try to impress anybody in the army of Israel. He didn’t try to impress his brothers. He didn’t even try to impress God. He just ran to meet Goliath." [Note: Swindoll, p. 46.]