What Would Goliath Say?

Most of us are familiar with the story of David and Goliath. How the Philistines had put together this fighting force that was pretty much powered by one man, their unbeatable giant. They were camped out waiting to attack and as they taunted the Israelites, a boy stepped out and championed the day. That boy was David, later to become the King of Israel and to be the line from which the King of the Jews is descended. This fight between David and Goliath was the defining moment in David’s life. He stepped up and slew the unstoppable force from the opposing Philistines, with a sling and a rock. Talk about bringing a knife to a gun fight.

Well, it is well documented what went on to happen to David and Israel after Goliath was slain. David went on to be a notorious sinner that found favor with God. He did some awful things but always repented his sins and was so favored by God that his line was chosen to produce God’s Son. For all of the horrible things that David had done to fulfill his needs and desires, he was forgiven.

Goliath on the other hand is remembered as a giant who was a great fighter and the weapon that powered an army. Here was one man whom the Philistines sent into battle as a symbol that they could not be beaten. This giant, who had been victorious against all other foes due to his size and skill and was there to intimidate the Israelites into an easy defeat. As David walked out, he must have thought that this boy was crazy. A boy sent out because the men of Israel were afraid of him. How crazy David must have looked with a slingshot swirling around his head. Goliath starting his charge as David let the stone fly. The surprised look on Goliath’s face as the stone hurled toward his head and the solid thud as it connected between his eyes. Down went the giant and up went David’s fortunes. He was one boy, soon to be a man, firm in his convictions and willing to risk everything for what he believed in. With the faith that his God was with him, he took down the giant.

David rose to the top and ruled the day. Goliath fell to the round and provides a great visual for how the might have fallen. What Goliath thought was an easy victory over teenager, ended up building first a nation and then the Christian faith.

When David stepped out to challenge the mighty warrior, Goliath’s pivotal role in history assured, I am sure that an easy victory was what he had pictured. That he would be the spark that so much history was based was not even a glimmer of a thought.

Icool

Cobb