1 Samuel 17: 50-51, 47
Franklin D. Roosevelt in his first inaugural address said these words “let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" Nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed energy into retreat instead of advance. Many didn’t know that he was paralyzed by polo and could not walk or stand without support. He was extremely disadvantaged and hampered and thoughts were that he would be incapable to attack the various and multiple problems affecting the USA in that era, unemployment, poverty Great Depression, looming WW. But he learned an important concept that is essential in every situation where giants are the norm and what you have at your command seems to be insignificant and meaningless.
The important information about the narrative about the battle that took place between David, the seemingly insignificant little shepherd and Goliath the well accoutrement-ed behemoth that is missed by many is that the years David spent doing seemingly insignificant work watching sheep actually prepare him for his battle and life as the supreme and most celebrated monarch of biblical times. I want you to stop and contemplate that for a moment and ask yourself while you are thinking about it if you ever felt that the little things that you do in your Christian walk really are preparing you for a larger role in the kingdom.
The geography of ancient Israel in David’s day.
The Shfela
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shfela
Confrontation in the valley of The Giants
There were three types of combatants of ancient times
Three types
1. Heavy infantry
2. Calvary
3. Artillery
David has artillery. His slingshot does revolutions of 6-7 times a minute. Check how fast an ancient slingshot actually revolves and calculate the speed of a projectiles exit. Some say up to 100 mph.
The stones were carefully chosen and not average stones.
The geology of the area is made up of a certain type of stone fired in volcanic activity making it harder and more dense than normal rocks found in the strata. barium sulfate stone .
The Giant
Goliath possibly had acromegaly
Get a picture of the difference in size, a six foot man and a three foot boy
You thought that David’s slingshot was kid’s toy, it’s not, the ancient sling is a devastating weapon, when David rolls it around probably with 6 rev/sec, it is shot at 35m/sec. This is faster than a baseball thrown at 100 mph, that and the fact that the stone in the valley of Elah was a barium sulfate stone that has a double density of normal stone made this a missile. David personally chosed 5 smooth stones, He then ran and shot the sling, resulting in the ballistic power equivalent of a 45 mm machine gun. this sling is still used by the people in the middle-eastern cultures.
David is not just a regular shepherd, he is equipped. He uses his sling against lions and bears protecting his lambs. The little things.
His advantage was that when Goliath saw David, he likely underestimated David. He was made unprepared of the attack. Goliath moves slowly because of the acromegaly (he is 3 m tall! 9 feet possibly 10 by some accounts) likely he has a double vision, that’s why he said, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?”, David had only a stick (a shepherd stick). He couldn’t dodged the shot, his power was only strength and evidently not speed.
The truth is that David was not the underdog. We often saw him here as the underdog and we often see from the outward only, just like Saul, Goliath, and David’s family members. God used the truth of the situation and used David who never cease to elevate God in every situation. He even didn’t listen to his brother blabber, insulting him even before he can explain his good intention of sending them food.
1 sam 17: 28-29 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?”
After he brought Goliath down, he ran and stood over his chest and disarmed Goliath, he then cut off his head when he was unconscious (or dead) , making sure that he’s finished.
1 Samuel 17: 50-51, 47
50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword.47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
God prepared us for the battle, and your “Goliath” probably is not that mighty of a warrior. But unfortunately many see the battle like that of Saul and all the army of Israel. To much of a challenge for me. Little is much when God is in it is a concept that escapes us in the heat and intensity of the battle.
The analytical points might not be original but provide a compelling synthesis – the point is that we have been misconstruing the meaning of “David and Goliath.” It isn’t really about the underdog beating the giant against all odds; it’s more about an outsider’s skillful nimbleness taking down a lumbering overconfident oversized behemoth. David was not part of King Saul’s army, hence “an outsider.” Outsiders might have perspective that those close up don’t.
Remember
1. The enemy will always put up a front that looks impossible to beat.
2. Some will always have the idea that they cannot defeat what seems to be impossible situations and circumstances.
3. The weapons of their possession are mightier then ours , however, they’ve been used before. The perception that you cannot possibly beat the odds that are in front of you with what are seemingly ineffective methods and means is premise that which the enemy wants you to maintain.
2 Corinthians 10:4 KJVS
[4] (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)