Useful Bible Studies > 1 Samuel Commentary > chapter 17

David’s reply to Goliath

1 Samuel 17:45-46

Goliath intended by his words in 1 Samuel 17:43-44 to insult and to frighten David. However, David replied very carefully to everything that Goliath had said.

David’s speech sounds very much like the judgement that a judge gives in a court. In fact, it really was a judgement. David was declaring God’s judgement against Goliath. It was necessary for Goliath to know that his bitter and evil words against God’s people had offended God himself. It was God, and not merely David, who would punish Goliath.

Goliath had laughed at David’s staff, that is, his stick (17:43). David knew that Goliath’s weapons (tools for war) were much better than his own. Goliath trusted in his own strength and in those powerful weapons. However, David did not trust in such things: he was trusting only in God (17:37). David knew that God is more powerful than any weapon (Psalm 18:1-2; 1 Samuel 2:2-4; Isaiah 54:17).

Goliath had asked his false gods to punish David. David declared that the real God would punish Goliath. Goliath’s false gods had no power. The God who leads heaven’s armies had brought Israel’s army to fight against Goliath and the army of Philistia. The events during that day’s battle would prove that God was on Israel’s side. Israel was the only nation where people served the real God. So therefore, Israel’s army really belonged not to its king, but to God himself.

Goliath had cruelly promised that wild birds and wild animals would eat up David’s body. David replied that, after the battle, wild birds and wild animals would eat the bodies of Philistia’s soldiers. That was what happened after a battle: there were too many bodies for people to bury. It would be clear evidence that God was on Israel’s side.

Next part: Everyone present would know that God saves (1 Samuel 17:47)

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