Compare Israel's reaction in 1 Samuel 17:25 with David's faith in God. Setting the Scene Israel is encamped in the Valley of Elah, paralyzed by Goliath’s twice-daily taunts (1 Samuel 17:1-24). Forty days of intimidation have exposed two very different heart postures in the same battlefield. Israel’s Reaction – 1 Samuel 17:25 “Now the men of Israel said, ‘Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel. And the king will lavish great wealth on the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and exempt his father’s house from taxation in Israel.’ ” • Focused on the SIZE of the problem – “Have you seen this man…?” • Defines the crisis in HUMAN terms – “he has come up to defy Israel,” not “to defy God.” • Motivated by EARTHLY incentives – wealth, royal marriage, tax-exemption. • Marked by FEAR and INACTION – forty days with no volunteers (cf. 17:16). • No mention of prayer, covenant, or God’s promises (Deuteronomy 20:1-4). David’s God-Centered Perspective 17:26 – “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 17:32 – “Let no man’s heart fail… Your servant will go and fight him.” 17:37 – “The LORD who delivered me… will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” 17:45-47 – “I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts… the battle is the LORD’s.” • Sees the issue as GOD’S HONOR – “defy the armies of the living God.” • Remembers the COVENANT SIGN – calls Goliath “uncircumcised,” outside God’s promise (Genesis 17:7-8). • Draws on PAST DELIVERANCES – lion and bear (Psalm 77:11). • Acts on GOD’S POWER, not personal ability – “the battle is the LORD’s” (Zechariah 4:6). • Speaks faith before the victory – “Today the LORD will deliver you into my hand” (Hebrews 11:33-34). Point-by-Point Comparison • Identity: – Israel: sees itself as Goliath’s target. – David: sees Goliath as God’s target. • Motivation: – Israel: financial & social reward. – David: God’s reputation and covenant faithfulness. • Source of Confidence: – Israel: human strength—absent, therefore fear. – David: the proven character of God (Romans 8:31). • Response Time: – Israel: forty days of delay. – David: immediate willingness to step forward. • Speech Pattern: – Israel: “Have you seen…?” fear-filled observation. – David: “The LORD will…” faith-filled declaration. Key Takeaways for Our Walk with Christ • Fix eyes on GOD’S MAJESTY, not the giant’s magnitude (Psalm 20:7). • Recall past rescues to fuel present faith (1 Samuel 7:12). • Let zeal for the LORD’s honor override self-preservation (John 2:17). • True courage is confidence in God’s covenant promises, not in incentives or odds. |
    |