Zeal

As soon as David returned from killing the Philistines, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head.” (I Samuel 17:57)

When we really scrutinize and ponder the story of David and Goliath, one has to conclude that perhaps there is a downside to becoming so familiar with the account through Sunday school stories, because it is far from a simple story about a youth who goes out in faith to slay a giant. It is, in fact, probably the most vivid picture of genuine zeal for the Lord fueled by outrage and righteous indignation on behalf of our Living God that can be found in all of scripture.

We must first understand that David came from a very different world than those found on this battlefield. He lived a solitary life as a shepherd – free from the typical distractions and peer pressure that tend to hinder us from pursuing and maintaining a personal relationship with God. David consistently had only himself and his God to rely on.

An army, on the other hand, tends to look to its own for protection and encouragement, and unfortunately they had altogether fallen victim to a great lie – that being that no single man could defeat Goliath. This lie had paralyzed the entire army for forty days. They had completely forgotten who they were, who they served and who their great protector was.

It was, therefore, easy for David, unlike the army, to instantly realize just how outrageous the situation had become. His fury was building as he asked, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Sam 17:26) David knew that Goliath was no match for his God.

The army had become so blinded by fear that even David’s oldest brother “burned with anger at him.” He probably knew in his heart that David was right, but was frustrated and embarrassed by his inability to overcome his own fear. And, he had not yet realized that David had moved well beyond admonishing the army and on to being ready, willing and able to kill the man for God’s sake.

David’s zeal was reported to Saul, who sent for him. David had become a man with a holy purpose confidently assuring King Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” (1 Sam 17:32) And, when Saul tries to convince David that he was outmatched, David tells of the lions and bears he had killed to rescue the sheep under his care. One has to understand that David does not offer this information as a logical defense for why he should be given the chance to confront Goliath, but rather as the reason that God will deliver him from Goliath too – no armor or special weapons required. So, Saul consented saying, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”

When they met, David confidently informed Goliath that he was already a dead man declaring, “This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head.” And, as soon as Goliath moved forward, David ran straight at him and struck him in the forehead with his first slung stone. Goliath fell face down, and David cut off Goliath’s head just as he declared he would. God’s actual part this fight is not offered, but David’s love for and dependence upon God, which inspired the zeal that destroyed Goliath was purposeful. For the instant that Goliath was dead, the Philistines fled, and the men of Israel and Judah surged forward to pursue them, as David was being brought before King Saul

“…still holding the Philistine’s head.”