A Most Unlikely Hero - 1 Samuel 17

Sermon Series: Extraordinary

As I was studying the text for this week my mind was drawn over and over again to the idea of heroes who don’t exactly fit the mold we think would be appropriate for them. And while I’m not all that knowledgeable in the area of superheroes I do know a little about some of the more recognizable superheroes, as I imagine most of you do. For instance, I know that Batman is really Bruce Wayne. And while Bruce Wayne keeps his crime fighting identity a secret it doesn’t strike me as all that surprising that a millionaire like himself could be a superhero. I mean if anyone has the resources to build an awesome hideout underneath his mansion, create a crime fighting ride like the batmobile, and develop high-tech costumes and weapons it’s a millionaire, isn’t it? More surprising to me is Superman. Superman’s true identity is Clark Kent, who did come to earth from another planet, but now residing on earth he lives out his life as a newspaper reporter. He doesn’t have the financial capability to create an awesome hideout, to build a crime fighting car, or to develop high-tech costumes and weapons. In addition to his financial limitations he also wrestles with style and coolness. Those who cross paths with Clark Kent aren’t usually looking to spend large amounts of their free time with him. Most of the people who cross paths with Clark Kent find him to be a little “nerdy.”

If you were to stand Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent next to one another and then ask me the question, “Which one of these guys is more likely to be a superhero?” my answer would definitely be ‘Bruce Wayne.’ In my mind he would more closely resemble the mold of a superhero than Clark Kent. Clark Kent just doesn’t seem to possess some of the traits I would imagine a superhero would possess. But the reality is that Clark Kent is a superhero. In fact one could argue that Superman is more of a superhero than Batman because Batman relies so heavily on his gadgets and technology while Superman relies on the supernatural abilities that he possesses (i.e. his extraordinary strength, x-ray vision, ability to fly, super speed, etc). Whether you consider Superman a greater superhero than Batman isn’t the point though. The point is that while Clark Kent may not seem to be a superhero, he absolutely is.

Both Superman and Batman are imaginary individuals though. They are characters and stories invented to entertain us. And their characters and stories make lasting impressions on our minds, just like those of other superheroes like Spiderman, the X-men, the Flash, Green Lantern, and others. But throughout the course of history there have been real heroes that have had tremendous impacts on people groups, nations, and even the entire world. Their lives and endeavors have done more than just entertain us, they have altered the course of history and made real differences in the lives of real people. Some of these real life heroes have looked the part, while others have not. Regardless of whether or not they fit the superhero mold though their heroics cannot be dismissed. And this week we want to look at two of these real life superheroes and the impact their lives and actions made.

The Scene and the Soldier

[Read vs. 1-11] As chapter 17 begins we find that the Philistines have gathered their armies to go to battle against God’s chosen people (the Israelites). But what we often fail to consciously realize is that the Philistine army plays a very insignificant role in this text. Rather it is their champion, the giant named Goliath, who plays a more central role. The beginning part of chapter 17 goes into great detail describing the enemy’s champion. He is incredibly tall, measuring approximately 9 feet 9 inches tall; he is covered from head to toe in the most impressive kind of armor; and his weapons are enormous. The author of the text doesn’t want to leave any doubt about this champion’s appearance. He is a man who is unbelievably intimidating and one who inspired fear in even the greatest of Israelite soldiers.
After introducing the reader to this imposing enemy the author then brings to light Goliath’s challenge in verses 8 and 9. This particular battle wasn’t going to be a typical battle that was fought between opposing armies – it was going to be a fight of champions. This battle was going to be both fought and decided between the two greatest champions: Goliath and whoever the Israelites sent out to fight him. And on the line was more than just the life of these individual champions, for those whom the dead champion represented would become the subject of the victor and the army he represented. Verse 11 then tells us that Saul (the king of Israel) and all of the Israelites with him were overcome with and paralyzed by fear. Neither Saul nor any other Israelite soldier went out to meet Goliath on the battle field. They gathered as a people on the opposite side of the valley as if they were free men getting ready to fight to protect their freedom. The reality is that they had a disguised captivity. Their army may have appeared to have been made up of free men going to battle against a potential captor, but the reality was that they were already essentially held captive by Goliath and their great fear of him.

The Little Shepherd

[Read vs. 12-15] In verse 12 the author switches his attention to a new character, a young man named David. As he does this it’s important that we notice what is taking place. In verses 12 through 15 the author sets David in a very stark contrast to the giant soldier, Goliath. We discover in verse 14 that David was the youngest of 8 brothers. If we look back at what transpired in chapter 16 of 1 Samuel we also find that because David was the youngest of these brothers that he was also considered by his family the least of them (see 1 Samuel 16:10-11). So in chapter 17 we have been introduced to Goliath, the greatest of an entire army and David, the least of 8 brothers. Additionally we find that David is a seemingly insignificant shepherd, as opposed to Goliath, who is a mighty and experienced soldier.

“You Call Yourselves Soldiers?”

[Read vs. 20-30] In verses 17 through 19 the text tells us that David’s father, Jesse, sends David to the battlefield to both deliver food to his brothers and to check on their condition. And in verses 20 through 30 we discover what happens when David does. David rose early in the morning the text says, leaving his father’s sheep under the care of another keeper, and hurried to the battlefield. The text also tells us that David arrived just as the war cry was going out and the soldiers were lining up in battle formation. Realizing that a battle may ensue at any moment, David leaves the provisions that he has brought and hurries to the ranks to find his brothers and to inquire of their condition. David found his brothers and was talking with them when Goliath proceeded out of the ranks of the Philistines and called out as was his habit – defying God and challenging the Israelites to send out their champion so that the two of them might fight against one another.
After Goliath’s challenge David witnessed something surprising to him. Instead of a champion stepping forward to fight Goliath verse 24 tells us that all the men of Israel “fled from him and were much afraid.” (Further evidence that these Israelite men were not living in true freedom, but living under fear and captivity of this might enemy.) I can’t imagine what this must have looked like. As we will see in the next few verses David, though just a young shepherd, never shows any form of fear in regards to Goliath. So imagine the armies of Israel drawn up for battle. All the soldiers are there, dressed in their armor, and standing there with their shields and swords. The line of soldiers is as long as you can imagine, and it is as deep as you can imagine. And somewhere in the midst of that great army is a young man, not dressed in armor, but dressed as a shepherd, speaking to his brothers. You would never notice him from any perspective. Trying to pick him out in the midst of that vast army would be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. But when Goliath comes out and cries out against the Israelites and their God every last one of the cowardly soldiers turns and flees. And there, standing alone on the field in front of the giant (though still at some distance from him) isn’t an Israelite soldier, but rather a young shepherd. The young shepherd stands courageously eyeing the giant, perhaps foreshadowing the showdown that would shortly come to be. But for now the young shepherd just slowly turns and walks away, back to the cowardly Israelite soldiers, because it wasn’t yet his time or responsibility to take on this giant enemy.
When David returns to the Israelite soldiers he hears chatter among the soldiers concerning Goliath. Part of their chatter dealt with Goliath’s defiance of Israel and their God (which in David’s mind should have been enough to motivate some of these soldiers to stand up and face this giant). And part of their chatter dealt with the reward the king would grant to the man who struck down this imposing enemy. It seems that David has a hard time believing that these men call themselves soldiers. Goliath has defied both Israel and their God. In addition to that the king has offered an enormous reward for the individual who strikes Goliath down. In David’s mind that was a “no brainer.” And yet not one of these so called soldiers was willing to face the giant on the battlefield. So in verse 26 we see this brave young man beginning to talk with great courage and boldness among the soldiers. Probably making sure he heard these cowardly soldiers correctly he asks for clarification regarding what the king’s reward would be for the individual who kills the giant. And then he begins to speak boldly in regards to Goliath’s defiance of the Israelite army and their God. In verses 28-30 David’s oldest brother, Eliab, hears the bold talk of his young shepherd brother in the midst of all these soldiers and deems it to be inappropriate. So Eliab rebukes David for leaving their father’s sheep with the evil intentions of simply coming to watch a battle take place between two great armies. But David seems unmoved by his oldest brother’s rebuke (who himself demonstrated his cowardliness in fleeing from the giant) and continued to talk boldly amongst the soldiers.

Time to be a Hero

[Read vs. 31-40] Verse 31 tells us that David’s words of courage and boldness eventually make it all the way to the ears of King Saul, who sent for David and had David brought to him. When David appears before the most powerful and prominent man in all of Israel, King Saul, David declares that the time has come and that he will go out and fight Goliath (vs. 32), the most powerful and dangerous of all enemies. But Saul doesn’t believe that David is able to do it seeing that David is just a young man and that Goliath has been a might man of war for many years. David responds to Saul’s objection with a remarkable reply in verse 34, “David said to Saul, ‘Your servant used to keep sheep for his father.’” David, having come to the battlefield and having an understanding of what was taking place there, realized that the time had come for him to step out of the role of shepherd – it was now time to be a hero. At this moment David is leaving the responsibility to look after his father’s sheep to step up to a bigger platform as a giant slayer. In the latter part of verse 34 and continuing through verse 36 David recounts times as a shepherd when he literally fought with some of the biggest and most dangerous animals there were. And in David’s mind, responding to the challenge of Goliath would be no different. Only this time David wouldn’t be fighting to rescue one of his father’s sheep, he would be fighting to set free the Israelite army and all of the Israelite people from the power and fear of this mighty and oppressive giant. David had great courage – but be sure to note that the source of his courage wasn’t his own strength and ability. David reveals that his courage is based on the might and sovereignty of God alone. “And David said, ‘The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine’” (vs. 37). Saul finally gives David his consent and looks to help David by loaning David his very own armor. But David, having never fought with armor on before takes it off, takes up his staff, five smooth stones he pulled out of a nearby brook, and his sling, and then headed out to the battlefield to face the giant.

A Most Unlikely Hero

[Read vs. 41-47] The last time the giant Goliath and the young man David stood before each other on the battlefield it was from a distance. But the text says that this time “the Philistine moved forward and came near to David” (vs. 41). The sight of David enraged this great soldier. He had challenged the Israelites to send out their greatest champion to fight him. Goliath had imagined that he would have the opportunity to strike down the biggest and mightiest of the Israelite men. He imagined another soldier coming out arrayed in the greatest of Israelite armor and with the greatest of Israelite weaponry, just as he had. But instead they had sent out a young man, without any armor, and carrying only a wooden staff and a sling. Not only did the sight of David cause Goliath to become enraged, but he also became over-confident, because David was surely not a champion or a hero. But David responds to the curses and confidence of this giant with his own confident claims. David assures the giant that he has not picked a fight with him, but rather with God. Then David says with unbelievable confidence that when this fight is over both Goliath and all of his buddies would be defeated and dead, and everyone would know that it is God who saves.

The Giant Defeated & God’s People Set Free

[Read vs. 48-52] The fight and battle that has been so highly anticipated now finally begins. Goliath, the great and mighty enemy, advances on the Israelite champion. But on the other side it’s a small, young shepherd with no armor running towards the heavily armored and heavily armed giant. Then, just as quickly as the battle begins, it comes to an amazingly quick end. Verse 49 says, “And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground.” Before the great enemy could even swing his sword in this battle of champions he was dealt a striking blow when David slung one of the 5 stones he had chosen from the brook and the stone struck Goliath in the forehead. Just as the surrounding soldiers from both armies were starting to hold their breath and brace themselves for what looked like was going to be a quick battle in which the giant soldier would surely overcome the unarmed young man, the giant fell face first on the ground. The text tells us that Goliath fell dead, but from a distance neither David, nor either of the armies could have known if he was really dead or if he would get back up and begin to fight again. So the text tells us that David took the opportunity to leave no doubt. “There was no sword in the hand of David. Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him and cut off his head with it” (vs. 50-51). Both armies could see the giant laying on the ground, yet both probably remained uncertain regarding his condition. When David took Goliath’s own sword out of its sheath and cut his head off there would have no longer been any question regarding Goliath’s condition. He was dead and he would not be getting back up. David had conquered the enemy and the giant had been defeated.
Goliath’s defeat had big implications for both armies. The defeat of the Philistine champion meant that the Philistine army had lost their protector. They were rendered powerless and hopeless and immediately began to flee. David’s victory had even greater implications for the Israelite army. Because the mighty and oppressive enemy had been conquered God’s people were set free from their captivity to him. Filled with hope and empowered by the victory of their unlikely hero, the text says that the Israelite army rose with a shout and that they pursued the Philistine army, striking them down and then plundering their camp.

What’s the Point?

The story of David battling Goliath has to be considered one of the most extraordinary stories in the Bible. Here is a historical account of a young man who has already gone toe-to-toe with lions and bears now squaring off against a man of such great magnitude and size that we have a hard time even imagining what he must have looked like and how imposing and threatening he must have been to those of average size and stature. He was the greatest soldier of an entire nation and he was defeated in miraculous fashion by a young shepherd. It’s a story of an amazing hero who accomplishes an amazing feat and as a result it leaves a deep impression on our hearts and minds. Unfortunately though, when we have heard this story taught in the past the point of the story has been David’s great courage and his confidence in God to help him battle the greatest of opponents. We place the emphasis on David and his impressive character traits that stand out in such remarkable fashion. But when we isolate this story from the greater story of the Bible and make the point of the story David’s great courage and faith then we’ve made a man the central point and his character traits what we should aspire to. Now don’t misunderstand me – David’s courage and faith are absolutely commendable and we ought to pray for and strive after a faith and courage like his. But God doesn’t want us coming to the text to ultimately exalt David. The point of the text is to exalt God and to make much of Him. So it’s better, as it was with our story from last week, to see the story of David and Goliath as foreshadowing a greater and more significant event which was going to take place in the future.

Let’s pause for a moment and take a step back from a close examination of the text to consider the ‘story’ of David and Goliath. The story begins with the most mighty and powerful of enemies, who is the champion of an imposing army. The size and might of this enemy alone is enough to hold God’s people in captivity. Though God’s people think they are free they are overwhelmed and paralyzed by fear and weakness and are hopeless in and of themselves to do anything to destroy this enemy and win true freedom. But introduced into the story is a new character who looks nothing like this great and powerful enemy. In fact this new character seems to be anything but a mighty soldier – he appears to be an insignificant individual who would never be able to do battle with someone like this incredibly imposing enemy. But there comes a moment in the story when this new character lays aside his old responsibilities and says “it’s time to be a hero.” With great confidence in the power and sovereignty of God this new character squares off with the great enemy. The great enemy, who looks the part of a warrior, comes confidently against this new character, who looks nothing like a hero at all. But in the most unlikely of scenarios it is the new character who deals a defining and deadly blow to the great enemy. It’s a blow that not only renders the enemy dead, but a blow that also renders his army powerless, and empowers and sets free all of God’s people. This is the ‘story’ of David and Goliath. But it is also the story of human history.

The Bible tells us that there is a great and mighty enemy who holds every individual whom God has created under his power and control. His name is Satan and he uses sin to enslave all of humanity. Consider the text of Romans 6:6 which says, “We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” This verse tells us that the reality for each and every person (before coming to saving faith in Christ) is that we are enslaved and held captive by both sin and Satan. But like the Israelite army we don’t always perceive this entrapment and captivity, feeling as though we are free. After all, most of us reading this live in America – the great land of freedom. And even if we may, on occasion, feel enslaved or held captive by something there’s this thing we call the ‘American Dream’ that tells us that we can accomplish anything that we set our minds too. The ‘American Dream’ then seeps into our theology, causing many in our communities to believe that they have the ability to earn their forgiveness or salvation. But Paul paints a picture of our hopelessness in his letter to the Galatians. “Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified” (Galatians 2:16). The truth of the Bible is that we all are held captive to the most evil, powerful and oppressive of enemies and without hope of conquering him on our own.
But two thousand years ago the Bible tells us that a new character showed up on the scene. He came into the world as humbly as one could imagine. He was born not in a royal palace but in a stable surrounded by animals. His first bed wasn’t a comfortable crib but a manger filled with hay. He didn’t grow up with prominent parents in the important city of Jerusalem. Instead he grew up under the care of two poor young parents in a small and insignificant town called Nazareth. And he didn’t have a career as a political heavy-weight or champion soldier, but rather took on the trade of a carpenter where he worked alongside his father until the age of 30. His name was Jesus and by no one’s imagination would this individual be a hero. In fact, he seems to have been relatively unknown for most of his life. But a day came when Jesus laid aside his former responsibilities and said, “It’s time to be a hero.” As history continued to unfold Jesus approaches a most unique battlefield to fight in a battle of champions. Still looking nothing like a hero he enters into a battle with the most evil, powerful, and oppressive enemy in all of history - Satan. And like David, who approached the giant with nothing but a wooden staff and some stones, Jesus approached Satan carrying only a wooden cross upon his back. And by the most unconventional means this most unlikely of heroes strikes a defining death blow to the most powerful of enemies. A blow that not only destroyed the enemy but a blow that made it possible for every person to be set free from the power and captivity of that enemy.

Whose Son is This?

[Read vs. 55-58] Then end of 1 Samuel 17 tells us, “As soon as Saul saw David go out against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the commander of the army, ‘Abner, whose son is this youth?” Saul recognized that while David did not look the part of a hero, this young man was getting ready to alter the history of God’s people. So the resounding question in his mind was “Whose son is this?” And while the NT doesn’t state that this question was being asked at Jesus’ crucifixion, it still seems to be a resounding question among some as we see the Roman centurion present at the crucifixion stating, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39). So this is the question for those who have never trusted in Christ as Savior and Lord. If Jesus really did do battle with Satan; if (although He really didn’t look the part) He really was a hero for all of humanity; and if His defeat of Satan has given humanity the opportunity to be set free from sin and Satan, then we need to be asking the question, “Whose son is this?” And then we need to be ready to respond to the truth that He is God’s Son. Jesus boldly claims to be God’s Son and claims to have conquered sin and Satan. So we have to either reject that claim and reject the story of the Bible as falsehood, or we have to surrender our lives to Christ and follow Him in faith.

For those of us who have trusted in Christ as Savior and Lord the question is now this, “What is our calling?” When David defeated Goliath the text tells us that the Israelite army “rose with a shout and pursued the Philistines” (vs. 52). Many believers in Christ love to do the first part. We love to celebrate our freedom from sin and we love to declare our praise for the One who set us free. But Jesus’ victory over Satan also empowered us to advance God’s Kingdom on the enemy’s kingdom. Unfortunately too few believers and too few churches are doing this. We are content to isolate ourselves and to remain on our mountain just celebrating the freedom we now have. While celebrating our freedom and declaring our praise to the One who set us free is important, we also have to engage in the work of advancing God’s Kingdom by declaring the fame of our God and the work of our Savior, Jesus, who came not only to set us free from sin and Satan, but who came to set all people free from the enemy who has them held captive. Are you taking the fight to the enemy? Are you declaring the good news of freedom in Christ to those still under the captivity of Satan? Or are you being content to remain disengaged in the work of the gospel and abdicating your position as a soldier?

Connection Points Questions for Discussion:

1. Can you think of an individual who has been given hero-like status but who doesn't quite fit your hero mold?  Who is it and why doesn't that individual fit your mold?  What is it that makes this individual a hero?

2. What part were the Israelite soldiers able to play in the defeat of Goliath, and why do you think that?  What part did the Israelite soldiers play in the defeat of Goliath, and why do you think that?  What implications does this have for us if this story was a foreshadowing of the greater story of the Bible?

3. We spent time discussing what made David seem like an unlikely hero but also why the story makes it very clear that David was to be considered a hero.  So turning our attention to Jesus, (a) What makes Jesus seem like an unlikely hero?  And (b) what is it about Jesus that makes Him the greatest of all heroes?

4. When David struck down Goliath setting free the Israelite army, the soldiers of Israel "rose with a shout AND pursued the Philistines" (vs. 52).  Is this an accurate picture of how the Church corporately and how our church has responded to Jesus' victory over Satan?  Why or why not?