33 – David and Goliath

1 Samuel 16:1 – 18:16

Saul was the first king of Israel, but David is the king who unites north and south.  He is the great king.  He is a courageous warrior, a diplomat, a musician, a forceful leader, and also a great friend and an enthusiastic lover. 

First Saul is rejected by the Lord for disobedience.   The Lord sends Samuel to see Jesse the Bethlehemite, one of whose sons will be named as king.  David was the youngest son of Jesse, but “he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome.”  Samuel anoints him and “the spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward.”

David with the head of Goliath

His first test is to combat the Philistine champion Goliath.  After a round of biblical trash talking, David brings him down with a single stone, then uses the giant’s own sword to kill him and remove his head, as promised.  Saul, still the king, puts David over the army, but is jealous of the acclaim that comes to David.

18¹² Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul. ¹³ So Saul removed him from his presence, and made him a commander of a thousand; and David marched out and came in, leading the army. ¹⁴ David had success in all his undertakings; for the LORD was with him. ¹⁵ When Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in awe of him. ¹⁶ But all Israel and Judah loved David; for it was he who marched out and came in leading them.

The end is near for Saul.