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Chapter 06: David & Goliath · Bible in a Year with Jack Graham

• 0:00
  Speaker 1: Hi, I'm Dr. Tony Evans, your host for Heroes in
• 0:03
  Speaker 1: the Bible. If you've enjoyed this podcast so far, please
• 0:07
  Speaker 1: share it with your family and friends and help us
• 0:10
  Speaker 1: spread God's Word. Welcome to The Epic Adventure of David,
• 0:14
  Speaker 1: a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,
• 0:19
  Speaker 1: and murder. While most people know of David the myth,
• 0:23
  Speaker 1: few people know about David the man. I'm glad you're
• 0:26
  Speaker 1: here with me as we mine the depths of this
• 0:28
  Speaker 1: renowned tale. In this episode, we encounter the famous story
• 0:32
  Speaker 1: of David and Goliath. This story has been told in
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  Speaker 1: thousands of different ways using thousands of different mediums. It
• 0:39
  Speaker 1: is a tale embedded in our culture. The underdog defying
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  Speaker 1: all odds and the little guy standing up against the bully.
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  Speaker 1: But make no mistake, the epic of David and Goliath
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  Speaker 1: is not about you and me. We are not David
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  Speaker 1: and our problems are not Goliath. No, this legend points
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  Speaker 1: forward to an even greater battle of good and evil.
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  Speaker 1: The story of David bravely vanquishing the harbinger of death, Goliath,
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  Speaker 1: is meant to be an image of something even more significant.
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  Speaker 1: In this episode, allow yourself to be caught up in
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  Speaker 1: the majesty of David's story. Be inspired by his bravery
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  Speaker 1: and be encouraged by his heart for God. But remember
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  Speaker 1: that David is not the ultimate hero of this tale.
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  Speaker 1: He is a shadow of greater things to come and
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  Speaker 1: a conduit for the deliverance of God. May we all
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  Speaker 1: be inspired by this story to look to God the
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  Speaker 1: same way David looks to God and trust in his
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  Speaker 1: final victory over death. Our episode begins with a prelude,
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  Speaker 1: a story in the future of God's greatest hero. This
• 1:43
  Speaker 1: prelude reminds us that there is a greater giant than
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  Speaker 1: Goliath and a greater hero than David. Let's not wait
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  Speaker 1: any longer. It's time for Episode 6, David and Goliath.
• 2:01
  Speaker 2: Prelude to Chapter 6 The thundering skies bellowed like war drums.
• 2:08
  Speaker 2: Death itself was raging like a wild animal. Its claws
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  Speaker 2: were sinking deeper into the neck of God's chosen hero.
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  Speaker 2: Jesus knew his hour had come. It was time for
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  Speaker 2: the full weight of God's wrath to be poured out
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  Speaker 2: onto him. Every sin, past, present, and future, Eli.
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  Speaker 1: Eli.
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  Speaker 3: Eli, levas sabachthani?
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  Speaker 2: Which means?
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  Speaker 3: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
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  Speaker 2: People laughed at his cries, but they did not see
• 3:10
  Speaker 2: the cosmic shift taking place before them. Jesus, who had
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  Speaker 2: been connected with the Father and Spirit since before time
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  Speaker 2: was created, was now separated from them. Jesus endured separation
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  Speaker 2: from God so that no person would ever have to again.
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  Speaker 2: It had been done. The weight of mankind's sins were
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  Speaker 2: thrust on his shoulders. Now the only thing left to
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  Speaker 2: do was bury them in the grave. To do that,
• 3:36
  Speaker 2: Jesus had to die. He looked down at the people below.
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  Speaker 2: His eyes were darkened and nearly lifeless. I am thirsty,
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  Speaker 2: Jesus whispered. The soldiers shrugged and took a sponge from
• 3:49
  Speaker 2: the latrines. They would use sour wine to sanitize themselves.
• 3:53
  Speaker 2: So they took the sponge filled with excrement, and placed
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  Speaker 2: it on his lips. Jesus tasted the filth of humanity,
• 4:01
  Speaker 2: then looked to the heavens. He lifted his legs and
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  Speaker 2: arms to take one final breath. The lightning struck beside him,
• 4:08
  Speaker 2: causing the soldiers to fall back. Then with the booming
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  Speaker 2: voice of the Almighty.
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  Speaker 3: Jesus yelled, It is finished!
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  Speaker 2: And he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
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  Speaker 2: Just as he had spoken, the good shepherd laid down
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  Speaker 2: his life for his sheep. God's chosen hero had vanquished
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  Speaker 2: the enemy. The fear and death had been conquered by
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  Speaker 2: the loving yet powerful passion of the Good Shepherd.
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  Speaker 4: Battle.
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  Speaker 2: Saul craved it. The sound of iron and bronze clashing
• 4:46
  Speaker 2: and clanging. The smell of campfire intermixed with blood and sweat.
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  Speaker 2: More than anything, Saul craved the glory. He craved the
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  Speaker 2: sounds of his people cheering and singing his praises. He
• 4:59
  Speaker 2: longed for the moment shortly after victory, lifting his arms
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  Speaker 2: and basking in the admiration of his men. Saul imagined
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  Speaker 2: these things as he led his men up the hills
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  Speaker 2: of Succa. The Israelite army gathered and encamped on a
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  Speaker 2: mountain overlooking the valley of Elah. On the other side
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  Speaker 2: of the valley, encamped on a mountain standing opposite them,
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  Speaker 2: were the Philistines. Their clamoring echoed across the canyons. Saul
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  Speaker 2: stood tall and proud on the other side of the
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  Speaker 2: valley in front of his men. His bright and polished
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  Speaker 2: armor gleamed in the sun. His large sword was strapped
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  Speaker 2: securely to his side. The hilt of his sword, much
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  Speaker 2: like his armor, was interlaced with gold and fine jewels,
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  Speaker 2: a statement of Saul's importance and sense of worth. Saul
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  Speaker 2: looked down at the battlefield. The grassy and flat valley
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  Speaker 2: was surrounded by large stones and cracks in the ground.
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  Speaker 2: The mountains surrounding the valley had uneven footing. It would
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  Speaker 2: be a treacherous descent for both armies. He looked up
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  Speaker 2: to see the horde of Philistines swaying back and forth
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  Speaker 2: on the other side. The slow beat of drums began
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  Speaker 2: to play, echoing across the valley. The drums were haunting.
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  Speaker 2: Their swaying and chants quickened with the beats of drums.
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  Speaker 2: They hissed and sneered at the Israelites. Their sways became
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  Speaker 2: frantic and animalistic. Jonathan was beside his father. growing nervous
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  Speaker 2: at the strange confidence of the enemy. Then, like the
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  Speaker 2: Red Seas once did many years ago, the Philistine horde
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  Speaker 2: parted in two. They crouched and bowed to their knees,
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  Speaker 2: laughing uncontrollably. The drums ceased, but the ground was still shaking.
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  Speaker 2: Saul could feel the quaking of the earth on his feet.
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  Speaker 2: Something wasn't right. The men of Israel looked, and from
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  Speaker 2: the crowd of Philistines emerged an inhuman-like creature. He had
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  Speaker 2: the frame of a man, but his size was like
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  Speaker 2: the beasts of old. He cast a shadow over the
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  Speaker 2: Philistine soldiers below as he marched forward. His legs were
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  Speaker 2: as wide as tree trunks. He wore a coat of
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  Speaker 2: mail draped over his monstrous chest. Saul stepped back in terror.
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  Speaker 2: His arms were dense with muscle, holding a spear of
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  Speaker 2: pure iron. The monster's name was Goliath. His name was
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  Speaker 2: being chanted across the valley, reverberating into the ear of Saul.
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  Speaker 2: There will be no glory in fighting that man, Saul
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  Speaker 2: thought to himself.
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  Speaker 3: His hands will crush my skull in an instant.
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  Speaker 2: Goliath paced up and down the ranks of his men,
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  Speaker 2: roaring like a lion. The Philistines cheered and banged their
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  Speaker 2: swords against their shields. Goliath unsheathed his sword and swung
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  Speaker 2: it against a tree hanging beside the cliff. The tree
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  Speaker 2: splintered into a thousand pieces and tumbled down into the valley.
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  Speaker 2: Goliath laughed and stretched his arms out to the Israelites.
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  Speaker 3: Come now, the giant jeered.
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  Speaker 4: Why shed any more blood than we have to? Am
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  Speaker 4: I not a Philistine? Are you not all servants of Saul?
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  Speaker 4: Let us settle this battle.
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  Speaker 2: King Saul gulped. He feared what his next words would be.
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  Speaker 2: Even from a hundred yards away, Goliath could smell Saul's fear.
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  Speaker 2: It wafted over to him like the smoke from freshly
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  Speaker 2: cooked meat. He soaked it in, enjoying every moment. The
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  Speaker 2: giant smiled with all his teeth. He lifted his spear
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  Speaker 2: and pointed it to Saul.
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  Speaker 5: Choose a man, king of Israel.
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  Speaker 4: Let him come down and battle me. If he is
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  Speaker 4: able to kill me, the Philistines will be your servants.
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  Speaker 2: The giant let down his spear and looked back at
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  Speaker 2: the soldiers. The Philistines laughed. Their mocking cackles filled the
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  Speaker 2: air like a bad smell. Then there was silence. Goliath
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  Speaker 2: looked over at Saul with nostrils flaring. With a low
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  Speaker 2: and rumbling voice, the giant spoke seriously.
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  Speaker 4: Saying, But if I prevail against your man, when I
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  Speaker 4: tear every limb from his body, feasting on his flesh,
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  Speaker 4: then you King Saul, and all your people will be
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  Speaker 4: enslaved to us for generations to come.
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  Speaker 2: The giant's challenge sent shivers down Saul's spine. The king
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  Speaker 2: composed himself. Judging by the size of both armies, he
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  Speaker 2: knew that they were outmatched. If they sent any more
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  Speaker 2: soldiers down into the valley, they would surely succumb to
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  Speaker 2: the Philistines. However, there was no man in his ranks
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  Speaker 2: able to take on the giant. The offer from Goliath
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  Speaker 2: was a mockery. The Philistines knew that they would win
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  Speaker 2: either way. Sending Goliath was nothing more than a taunt.
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  Speaker 2: Saul had always stood ahead above every man he fought.
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  Speaker 2: He rarely feared the swing of another man's sword. However,
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  Speaker 2: the creature standing before him was no man. He was
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  Speaker 2: a beast from ancient days. He had the frame of
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  Speaker 2: monsters told in children's tales. He was a harbinger of
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  Speaker 2: death and a symbol of Saul's inevitable demise as king.
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  Speaker 2: Before Saul could open up his mouth, Goliath's voice thundered
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  Speaker 2: again across the valley.
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  Speaker 5: I defy you, Saul.
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  Speaker 4: I spit in the face of your people, your nation,
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  Speaker 4: and your God. If you do not have a man
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  Speaker 4: brave enough to fight, prove that you are not a
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  Speaker 4: coward and fight me yourself.
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  Speaker 2: Saul was motionless. His men looked at him, waiting for
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  Speaker 2: a response. Clouds covered the sun above, removing the gleam
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  Speaker 2: from Saul's armor. Never before had Saul felt so helpless.
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  Speaker 2: This would be a good moment to pray. However, he
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  Speaker 2: knew nobody would listen. God had turned his face from him.
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  Speaker 2: For 40 days, Goliath walked down into the valley, goading
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  Speaker 2: Saul to fight him. For 40 days, Saul and the
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  Speaker 2: people of Israel were silent.
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  Speaker 5: Did you pack the bread?
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  Speaker 2: Jesse asked David. Yes, father. David said while strapping the
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  Speaker 2: rest of the supplies to his donkey.
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  Speaker 5: What about the extra wineskins and the bandages?
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  Speaker 2: Jesse continued in a sharp tone.
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  Speaker 6: I've packed both, father. Eliab, Abinadab, and Shammah will have
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  Speaker 6: everything they need.
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  Speaker 2: David replied respectfully. Jesse grunted and walked off. Since David
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  Speaker 2: became Saul's armor bear and musician, he had been making
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  Speaker 2: his way to and from the palace. He still had
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  Speaker 2: sheep to tend to, even though he was now a
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  Speaker 2: servant of the king. David packed his donkey filled with
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  Speaker 2: supplies to bring to his brothers. They had marched with
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  Speaker 2: Saul to Succa to battle the Philistines. His father beamed
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  Speaker 2: with fatherly pride that his three eldest sons had joined
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  Speaker 2: the ranks of the king's army. A part of David
• 12:02
  Speaker 2: longed for his father to look at him with the
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  Speaker 2: same approval and admiration. However, since being in the courts
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  Speaker 2: of Saul, he felt his need for fatherly attention less
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  Speaker 2: and less. Saul was kind to David and seemed to
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  Speaker 2: enjoy his presence. Not only that, but David had grown
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  Speaker 2: close to his son Jonathan during his time in the palace.
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  Speaker 2: Jonathan gave him the brotherly affection he lacked from his
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  Speaker 2: own brothers. David led his donkey towards Sukkah, anxious to
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  Speaker 2: see how Israel was faring against the Philistines. He had
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  Speaker 2: heard Saul speaking with his generals about being outnumbered. Although
• 12:36
  Speaker 2: he was Saul's armor bearer, it was more a title
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  Speaker 2: than an actual job. The king would never allow a
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  Speaker 2: child like him to march with him into battle. He
• 12:45
  Speaker 2: had not yet seen the glory of war. He did
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  Speaker 2: not have the privilege of marching with Saul or carrying
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  Speaker 2: his own sword to defend Israel. He was forced to
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  Speaker 2: remain with his sheep and carry supplies to his brothers.
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  Speaker 2: David reached Zucca, anxious to see what had come of
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  Speaker 2: the battle. He had a boyish excitement for war, heroism,
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  Speaker 2: and bravery. In him was a warrior spirit that desperately
• 13:08
  Speaker 2: desired to join in arms with his countrymen. Instead... David
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  Speaker 2: was unloading a sack filled with cheese and bread for
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  Speaker 2: his brothers and their commander. The low status David held
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  Speaker 2: in his family disappointed him at times. But David was
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  Speaker 2: resolved in his own identity before God. He did not
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  Speaker 2: strive to be someone he wasn't. Rather, with every step,
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  Speaker 2: he sought to honor the Lord in the best way
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  Speaker 2: he could. If that meant delivering supplies to his haughty
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  Speaker 2: older brothers, then so be it. David cared not how
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  Speaker 2: he was used by God to serve. He only cared
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  Speaker 2: that what he did pleased the heart of his Lord.
• 13:45
  Speaker 2: As David entered camp, he could hear the shouts of
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  Speaker 2: war rumbling near the valley. Giddy with excitement, David tied
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  Speaker 2: up the donkey and ran towards the hill overlooking the battlefield.
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  Speaker 2: He was surprised to see no battle at all. Rather,
• 13:59
  Speaker 2: the armies of the Israelites and Philistines posturing at one
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  Speaker 2: another from either side of the valley. Each army clamored
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  Speaker 2: at the other, banging their swords on their shields and
• 14:09
  Speaker 2: hurling insults. It was a confusing sight to David. The
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  Speaker 2: shepherd boy waded through the crowds in search of his brothers.
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  Speaker 6: The little lamb is here, a.
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  Speaker 2: Voice chided from the distance. David paused and looked down
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  Speaker 2: at his feet. He closed his eyes and sighed in irritation.
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  Speaker 2: Out of all the shouting and clamoring of soldiers, Shammah's
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  Speaker 2: mocking voice was loud and clear. David turned around to
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  Speaker 2: see Shammah and Abinadab walking over. They wore their thick
• 14:38
  Speaker 2: armor with bronze buckles to hold the straps. However, they
• 14:42
  Speaker 2: hung loosely on their chests. The shaft of their spears
• 14:45
  Speaker 2: were made of wood with iron tips at the end,
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  Speaker 2: and David noticed how peculiarly dull the tips of their
• 14:51
  Speaker 2: spears were. It was almost as if they had not
• 14:54
  Speaker 2: sharpened them in days. Aren't they about to march into battle?
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  Speaker 2: David thought to himself.
• 15:00
  Speaker 6: Why not sharpen your spears and tighten your armor?
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  Speaker 2: Shammah took David's head under his arm and ruffled his
• 15:06
  Speaker 2: light curly hair.
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  Speaker 5: The runt of the litter is here to watch.
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  Speaker 2: He teased. Shammah and Abinadab laughed at David's expense. Their
• 15:14
  Speaker 2: teasing was a regular part of David's childhood. He expected
• 15:17
  Speaker 2: nothing less from them. Clearly, they hadn't been to battle
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  Speaker 2: even once since marching up to Sukkah with Saul. David
• 15:25
  Speaker 2: was curious as to why that was. He released himself
• 15:29
  Speaker 2: from his brother's grip and walked towards the front of
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  Speaker 2: the crowd. His brothers were irked by his indifference towards
• 15:34
  Speaker 2: their presence.
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  Speaker 6: Where are you off to? Don't bother the other soldiers, runt.
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  Speaker 2: They yelled. David ignored them as he made his way
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  Speaker 2: to the front. He found a high vantage point on
• 15:45
  Speaker 2: a stone overlooking the battlefield. David peered forward, looking upon
• 15:49
  Speaker 2: the Philistine horde chanting opposite them. They banged their drums
• 15:54
  Speaker 2: and swayed back and forth. Their laughs were like the
• 15:57
  Speaker 2: hissing of a brood of vipers. The evil in their
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  Speaker 2: eyes sent chills down David's spine.
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  Speaker 6: What are they chanting for?
• 16:05
  Speaker 2: David thought. He scanned the entire Philistine side. As the
• 16:09
  Speaker 2: Philistines had every day since meeting the Israelites, the army
• 16:13
  Speaker 2: parted in two to make way for their champion. The
• 16:16
  Speaker 2: beast-like man covered in bronze mail marched forward, making the
• 16:21
  Speaker 2: ground quake beneath him. The sword strapped to the side
• 16:25
  Speaker 2: of his belt was as long as David's torso. Every
• 16:28
  Speaker 2: step seemed to hold the weight of a mountain as
• 16:31
  Speaker 2: he marched forward to the edge of the canyon. The
• 16:34
  Speaker 2: giant raised his spear high above his head, then slammed
• 16:37
  Speaker 2: the end of it into the ground in front of him.
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  Speaker 2: Rocks cracked on the edge and fell into the valley below.
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  Speaker 2: The giant laughed and leaned forward towards the Israelite army.
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  Speaker 2: He cried. David's heart reverberated in his chest at the
• 16:52
  Speaker 2: giant's roar.
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  Speaker 5: Who among you dogs will come and fight me?
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  Speaker 2: Goliath yelled.
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  Speaker 4: I've waited and you cowards have yet to send a challenger.
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  Speaker 2: He pointed to Spirit Song, just as he did every day.
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  Speaker 4: Is your God as weak as your spine, King Saul?
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  Speaker 4: Aren't you the brave Israelites that conquered Pharaoh? I spit
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  Speaker 4: at your ancestors and your God.
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  Speaker 5: Workless cowards.
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  Speaker 2: David's muscles tightened and his brow furrowed. He felt the
• 17:26
  Speaker 2: same fire in his bones from the night he saw
• 17:29
  Speaker 2: the lion take his lamb. David looked to his left.
• 17:33
  Speaker 2: King Saul was standing in front of the soldiers. He
• 17:36
  Speaker 2: was a sight to behold. His broad chest puffed out
• 17:39
  Speaker 2: towards the Philistines as he stood atop his horse. The
• 17:43
  Speaker 2: light beamed off his golden armor. The hilt of his
• 17:46
  Speaker 2: sword was engraved with Hebrew battle poetry. However, the king
• 17:50
  Speaker 2: was motionless, speechless. He had nothing to say to the Philistine.
• 17:57
  Speaker 2: For weeks, Saul had tried to strategize a way to
• 18:00
  Speaker 2: gain an edge over the enemy. However, they outnumbered them greatly.
• 18:04
  Speaker 2: and the best way to defeat them was to accept
• 18:06
  Speaker 2: Goliath's offer. However, no one moved. The king who was
• 18:12
  Speaker 2: once lauded for his bravery was paralyzed by fear and inaction.
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  Speaker 2: The men began to disperse back to their tents. Once again,
• 18:21
  Speaker 2: their posturing was fruitless. No amount of battle cries were
• 18:25
  Speaker 2: going to make the Philistines flinch. They knew it was
• 18:28
  Speaker 2: only a matter of time before Israel lost all hope.
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  Speaker 2: That is when they would strike. There is no weapon
• 18:36
  Speaker 2: greater than fear, and the Philistines wielded it like no
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  Speaker 2: one else. David slid down the stone and stopped a
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  Speaker 2: few of the men marching back.
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  Speaker 6: Can somebody please tell me what is going on?
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  Speaker 2: He asked.
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  Speaker 3: You haven't heard?
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  Speaker 2: One of the soldiers asked.
• 18:51
  Speaker 3: This giant has come to defy Israel. The king has
• 18:54
  Speaker 3: promised riches and his daughter's hand in marriage to whoever
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  Speaker 3: defeats him. And no one has come up against him?
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  Speaker 2: David asked. Not one.
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  Speaker 3: You've seen the size of his hands. They could grip
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  Speaker 3: a man's skull like a loaf of bread. I will
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  Speaker 3: not pursue him, and I can attest that no one
• 19:13
  Speaker 3: here will either. Not even the king.
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  Speaker 2: David's fist tightened and his jaw clenched. He has mocked
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  Speaker 2: our god, he said under his breath. The soldiers nodded.
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  Speaker 6: He has.
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  Speaker 3: However, none of us wish to make a greater mockery
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  Speaker 3: of him by jeopardizing our army.
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  Speaker 6: Under the rules of the challenge, if he prevails, the
• 19:37
  Speaker 6: entire nation will be made Philistine slaves. Who among us
• 19:42
  Speaker 6: wants to be responsible for dying at the hands of
• 19:45
  Speaker 6: Goliath and allowing him to enslave all our people?
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  Speaker 2: The man made a valid point. David pondered the question.
• 19:53
  Speaker 2: Bravery was not enough to march against Goliath. If someone
• 19:57
  Speaker 2: went to fight him and they died, the Philistines by
• 20:00
  Speaker 2: right would be able to enslave the survivors. Whoever marched
• 20:04
  Speaker 2: up against the giant didn't just need a warrior's heart.
• 20:07
  Speaker 2: He needed to be sure he would win. David was
• 20:11
  Speaker 2: lost in thought for a moment. Then a firm grip
• 20:14
  Speaker 2: grabbed him by the shoulder and turned him around. It
• 20:17
  Speaker 2: was Eliab, his oldest brother. He grabbed David and shook him.
• 20:21
  Speaker 5: What are you doing here?
• 20:23
  Speaker 2: He scolded.
• 20:24
  Speaker 7: Have you left the sheep to wander around and die
• 20:26
  Speaker 7: in the wilderness? Go home!
• 20:28
  Speaker 2: Eliab shoved David to the ground. David got back up
• 20:31
  Speaker 2: immediately and lunged at his brother, shoving him back. Eliab
• 20:35
  Speaker 2: caught him by the arm and threw him to the
• 20:36
  Speaker 2: ground again. David got back up. But Aaliyah braced a
• 20:41
  Speaker 2: finger and yelled.
• 20:43
  Speaker 7: I know why you're here, baby brother. You have come
• 20:46
  Speaker 7: here to see the battle. You just couldn't help yourself,
• 20:49
  Speaker 7: could you? We're all here, ready to die, and you
• 20:51
  Speaker 7: seek to watch the battle like a sport.
• 20:54
  Speaker 5: Go home. There is no place for you here.
• 20:58
  Speaker 2: David paused and looked at his older brother. He had
• 21:01
  Speaker 2: all the looks of a hero, but on the inside,
• 21:05
  Speaker 2: he was no greater than the giant on the other
• 21:06
  Speaker 2: side of the valley. He used his size and power
• 21:10
  Speaker 2: to intimidate and taunt. David looked back towards the Philistine
• 21:14
  Speaker 2: army and clenched his fist. His brother continued to chide him,
• 21:18
  Speaker 2: but he did not listen. With his back turned to Eliab,
• 21:22
  Speaker 2: he sighed and said.
• 21:25
  Speaker 6: You and I both know I have done nothing.
• 21:29
  Speaker 2: David turned his head. His eyes burned with holy fire.
• 21:33
  Speaker 2: Eliab stepped back, unable to discern what David would do next.
• 21:38
  Speaker 2: The shepherd left his brother and marched towards Saul's tent.
• 21:44
  Speaker 2: Saul paced back and forth in his tent. The king's
• 21:47
  Speaker 2: tent was wide and tall enough to host his generals
• 21:50
  Speaker 2: and the battalion commanders. Jonathan was also in attendance standing
• 21:54
  Speaker 2: beside his father. They could all sense a weariness from
• 21:57
  Speaker 2: the king. His eyes were heavy and deep in anxious thought.
• 22:01
  Speaker 2: He leaned over the side of his throne and sighed.
• 22:06
  Speaker 2: This giant is.
• 22:08
  Speaker 3: made a mockery of us, and yet there is nothing
• 22:12
  Speaker 3: we can do about it, Saul whispered. I have made
• 22:15
  Speaker 3: the reward for his head great, yet no one has
• 22:20
  Speaker 3: mustered up the courage to go out and fight him.
• 22:24
  Speaker 2: We have run out of time, my king, one of
• 22:27
  Speaker 2: his commanders said.
• 22:28
  Speaker 3: If we wait any longer to accept his challenge, they
• 22:31
  Speaker 3: will just march against us in the night.
• 22:34
  Speaker 2: We cannot.
• 22:34
  Speaker 3: I know what they are capable of.
• 22:37
  Speaker 2: Saul snapped, throwing his cup against the beams of the tent.
• 22:40
  Speaker 3: I have marched against these demons for years, and yet
• 22:44
  Speaker 3: they multiply like rodents in the city streets. What am
• 22:48
  Speaker 3: I to do?
• 22:49
  Speaker 6: Am I to send out men into battle with that
• 22:52
  Speaker 6: giant casting its shadow over them?
• 22:55
  Speaker 3: They will run in with weak knees and retreat at
• 22:58
  Speaker 3: the first sign of trouble.
• 23:00
  Speaker 2: Saul sat down and rubbed his head. He breathed in
• 23:03
  Speaker 2: deeply and composed himself. Saul lifted his hand apologetically. We
• 23:08
  Speaker 2: are at an impasse. Our men are without hope. They
• 23:13
  Speaker 2: are without something to inspire them to battle. The king
• 23:17
  Speaker 2: trailed off into thought. He stared at the fire burning
• 23:20
  Speaker 2: in the center of the tent. He recalled the faint
• 23:23
  Speaker 2: memory of simpler times when he sat by the fire
• 23:25
  Speaker 2: with Samuel and spoke about his new kingdom. He poked
• 23:29
  Speaker 2: the dying embers.
• 23:30
  Speaker 3: We need some sort of spark.
• 23:35
  Speaker 2: Saul whispered to himself. All of the men in the
• 23:38
  Speaker 2: tent were silent as they watched Saul brood over the fire.
• 23:42
  Speaker 2: Then abruptly breaking the silence, David burst through the tent.
• 23:46
  Speaker 2: Saul looked up and smiled. Ah, David, I am glad
• 23:50
  Speaker 2: you are here. We could all use some music to
• 23:54
  Speaker 2: calm our souls at the moment. David ignored Saul's request
• 23:59
  Speaker 2: and instead bowed to the floor. He beat his fist
• 24:02
  Speaker 2: against his chest and said.
• 24:04
  Speaker 3: My king!
• 24:05
  Speaker 6: Let no man's heart lose hope because of the giant
• 24:08
  Speaker 6: on the other side of the valley. I will go
• 24:12
  Speaker 6: and fight the Philistine.
• 24:14
  Speaker 2: Saul and the others in his tent held back chuckles.
• 24:17
  Speaker 2: The king leaned down and helped David up on his feet.
• 24:20
  Speaker 2: Brushing the dust off his clothes, Saul shook his head
• 24:23
  Speaker 2: and said.
• 24:25
  Speaker 3: Surely you are filled with fire, young David. But what
• 24:28
  Speaker 3: sort of king would I be to let a boy
• 24:31
  Speaker 3: go up against a giant? You are young. And that
• 24:35
  Speaker 3: giant has been killing warriors since he was your age.
• 24:39
  Speaker 2: David stepped back and bowed his head.
• 24:42
  Speaker 6: My king, are you familiar with the role of a shepherd?
• 24:46
  Speaker 2: He asked calmly. Saul scratched his head.
• 24:50
  Speaker 6: Of course.
• 24:51
  Speaker 3: My father had a few flocks of his own. You
• 24:54
  Speaker 3: tend to the sheep, leading them to the best grass
• 24:57
  Speaker 3: and water.
• 24:58
  Speaker 2: David shook his head.
• 24:59
  Speaker 6: That may be so, but the role of the shepherd...
• 25:03
  Speaker 6: was first and foremost to protect the sheep at all costs.
• 25:09
  Speaker 6: When there came a lion or a bear to take
• 25:12
  Speaker 6: one of my lambs, I did not hesitate to attack it.
• 25:18
  Speaker 6: I have run for miles and climbed mountains to pursue
• 25:21
  Speaker 6: the beasts that take my sheep. When a lion once
• 25:25
  Speaker 6: took my lamb, I pursued it and rescued the lamb
• 25:28
  Speaker 6: straight from its jaws. I struck it down because a
• 25:31
  Speaker 6: good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.
• 25:35
  Speaker 2: The rest of the men in the room were stirring uncomfortably.
• 25:39
  Speaker 2: The passion in David's voice was abrasive. They did not
• 25:43
  Speaker 2: like a young nobody like David having such a tone
• 25:46
  Speaker 2: in front of the king. He pointed back towards the valley.
• 25:50
  Speaker 2: He gave a slight grin. His eyes were gleaming with
• 25:53
  Speaker 2: intensity and hope.
• 25:55
  Speaker 6: This Philistine is no greater than that lion. He comes
• 25:58
  Speaker 6: in and threatens God's flock. He roars and bears his
• 26:02
  Speaker 6: teeth against us. He has defied the armies of God
• 26:06
  Speaker 6: and made a mockery of him. I will strike down
• 26:10
  Speaker 6: this giant with the same power by which I struck
• 26:13
  Speaker 6: down the lion by the might of God himself. The
• 26:18
  Speaker 6: Lord who delivered me from the paw of the predator
• 26:21
  Speaker 6: will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.
• 26:25
  Speaker 2: Saul's heart beat swiftly listening to David speak. In his voice,
• 26:30
  Speaker 2: was the very passion of God. It had been a
• 26:33
  Speaker 2: long time since Saul came in contact with the Spirit
• 26:36
  Speaker 2: of God. He had longed for his presence and his
• 26:39
  Speaker 2: anointing once again. Coming through the voice of this small
• 26:43
  Speaker 2: shepherd boy, the very courageous Spirit of God was bursting
• 26:47
  Speaker 2: forth like a mighty tempest. Saul stood up and smiled.
• 26:52
  Speaker 3: Very well.
• 26:54
  Speaker 2: Go.
• 26:54
  Speaker 3: May the Lord.
• 26:56
  Speaker 2: Be with you. The officers in the room gasped at
• 26:59
  Speaker 2: Saul's words. He had just commissioned a boy no older
• 27:03
  Speaker 2: than 16 to march against the greatest warrior the world
• 27:07
  Speaker 2: had ever seen. Saul held David by the shoulders and smiled.
• 27:13
  Speaker 3: I can feel your fire, David, but you will need
• 27:16
  Speaker 3: help if you're going to stand against a giant. You
• 27:20
  Speaker 3: will need the finest armor and weaponry Israel has to offer.
• 27:25
  Speaker 2: Saul took his armor that was resting on the side
• 27:27
  Speaker 2: of his throne and draped it over David's body. He
• 27:30
  Speaker 2: put a helmet of bronze on his head and draped
• 27:33
  Speaker 2: a coat of mail over him. He strapped his sword
• 27:36
  Speaker 2: over his shoulder and tightened his belt to keep the
• 27:38
  Speaker 2: armor together. The firelight bounced off of the golden armor.
• 27:42
  Speaker 2: David waddled in place. The armor was so heavy that
• 27:46
  Speaker 2: he was barely able to move. For all its splendor,
• 27:49
  Speaker 2: the armor was more of a hindrance than a defense.
• 27:53
  Speaker 2: Saul's sword was beautifully crafted and elegant, but it was
• 27:56
  Speaker 2: heavy with jewels and gold. It had the appearance of glory.
• 28:00
  Speaker 2: but ultimately it fell short of being truly effective. David
• 28:04
  Speaker 2: took the helmet off and slipped out of the armor.
• 28:07
  Speaker 2: Placing the sword in Saul's hand, David bowed his head
• 28:10
  Speaker 2: and said.
• 28:11
  Speaker 6: My king, your armor is splendid. However, I have not
• 28:16
  Speaker 6: tested it, nor do I see it helping me. For
• 28:20
  Speaker 6: all its beauty, I fear it is more of a
• 28:23
  Speaker 6: hindrance than a defense.
• 28:25
  Speaker 3: Do not be foolish, boy. You need a real weapon.
• 28:28
  Speaker 3: You need real armor.
• 28:30
  Speaker 2: Saul scolded. David gripped his staff and secured his sling
• 28:35
  Speaker 2: tightly to his belt.
• 28:37
  Speaker 6: These will be my weapons, he said. God has done
• 28:40
  Speaker 6: far more with far less.
• 28:44
  Speaker 2: The shepherd boy smiled and left the tent without another word.
• 28:47
  Speaker 2: Saul was speechless. He ran his fingers through the bright
• 28:52
  Speaker 2: golden armor. For all the king's glamour and appearance of strength,
• 28:57
  Speaker 2: it seems that he had just been taught a lesson
• 28:58
  Speaker 2: from a child. David quietly descended down the side of
• 29:02
  Speaker 2: the canyon towards the trees. The forest was silent and serene,
• 29:07
  Speaker 2: hosting the songs of birds and a babbling brook. David
• 29:11
  Speaker 2: sat near the brook and breathed in deeply. He closed
• 29:14
  Speaker 2: his eyes, feeling the slight breeze caress his cheek. The
• 29:18
  Speaker 2: sun above was scattered from the leaves above. David dipped
• 29:22
  Speaker 2: his hands in the water and took a sip. He
• 29:25
  Speaker 2: ran the cold water over his neck and looked up.
• 29:27
  Speaker 2: You are my shepherd, he said to God.
• 29:30
  Speaker 6: Even though I walk into the valley of death, I
• 29:34
  Speaker 6: will fear no evil.
• 29:37
  Speaker 3: You are with me.
• 29:38
  Speaker 2: The wind rustled the leaves above. The humming sound of
• 29:41
  Speaker 2: swaying trees was a comforting response. David reached down into
• 29:45
  Speaker 2: the brook and retrieved five smooth stones the size of
• 29:48
  Speaker 2: his palm. He meticulously chose each of them and placed
• 29:52
  Speaker 2: them in his leather pouch. He stood to his feet
• 29:55
  Speaker 2: and stretched his arms with his shepherd's staff. Then, With
• 29:59
  Speaker 2: the silent courage of a warrior, David marched towards the
• 30:03
  Speaker 2: valley to meet Goliath. The Philistine descended into the valley
• 30:09
  Speaker 2: as he had done every day. He roared challenges to
• 30:12
  Speaker 2: the Israelite Zabal. He clanged his spear against his shield,
• 30:16
  Speaker 2: making it echo across the valley.
• 30:18
  Speaker 5: Who shall fight me?
• 30:20
  Speaker 2: He yelled.
• 30:21
  Speaker 5: Who shall come and slay me?
• 30:23
  Speaker 2: He taunted. The giant had grown angry that so much
• 30:27
  Speaker 2: time had passed since he first made the challenge. He
• 30:30
  Speaker 2: was vexed by their cowardice. He was angry. He was
• 30:33
  Speaker 2: thirsty for blood. Saul stood over the cliffs with the
• 30:37
  Speaker 2: other men, watching the giant march into the center of
• 30:40
  Speaker 2: the valley. He stretched out his arms and raised his
• 30:43
  Speaker 2: voice to Saul.
• 30:44
  Speaker 4: This is the final chance to send a champion, Saul!
• 30:49
  Speaker 4: Let the dogs of Israel send a man to fight me,
• 30:52
  Speaker 4: or we will lay waste to your camps and your cities.
• 30:57
  Speaker 2: The men of Israel stirred and murmured. They all looked
• 31:00
  Speaker 2: to their king to see if he would step forward. However,
• 31:03
  Speaker 2: Saul remained still and silent, looking at the battleground below.
• 31:07
  Speaker 2: The giant smiled and banged his spear against his shield again.
• 31:11
  Speaker 5: Cowards! All of you are cowards!
• 31:15
  Speaker 4: You have shamed your ancestors this day, to survive the
• 31:19
  Speaker 4: slavery of Egypt, all to crumble by our hand.
• 31:24
  Speaker 5: Pathetic worms!
• 31:27
  Speaker 2: As Goliath was taunting the Israelites, he heard them all
• 31:31
  Speaker 2: gasp and turn to the left of the canyons. Out
• 31:33
  Speaker 2: from the stones to Goliath's right, the shepherd boy emerged.
• 31:38
  Speaker 2: His light curls were held back with a bandana revealing
• 31:41
  Speaker 2: his eyes. They were lit with the fiery passion of
• 31:44
  Speaker 2: God himself. He marched towards the giant with intentions, Every
• 31:49
  Speaker 2: step was purposeful and filled with confidence as he stepped
• 31:53
  Speaker 2: out of the shadows into the light of day. He
• 31:56
  Speaker 2: stopped twenty yards in front of Goliath and guided his
• 31:59
  Speaker 2: shepherd staff firmly into the ground. The giant had a challenger,
• 32:04
  Speaker 2: and Israel had its champion. Goliath's beastly grin turned into
• 32:08
  Speaker 2: a visceral snarl. He spat at David and roared at him.
• 32:12
  Speaker 4: Have I a dog that you come to me with twigs?
• 32:16
  Speaker 4: Of all the mighty men of Israel, they send you
• 32:20
  Speaker 4: to fight me?
• 32:22
  Speaker 5: I am insulted.
• 32:24
  Speaker 4: I can break this boy between my fingers.
• 32:28
  Speaker 2: The wind whistled through the valley. David was immovable and resolute.
• 32:34
  Speaker 2: His gaze was locked onto the giant. He opened not
• 32:37
  Speaker 2: his mouth. He simply looked forward at the foe ahead,
• 32:41
  Speaker 2: calculating his next move. Goliath was irked by David's silence.
• 32:46
  Speaker 2: He wailed curses into the air, banging his fists against
• 32:49
  Speaker 2: his chest like a silverback.
• 32:51
  Speaker 4: You and your god will crumble beneath my feet. Come
• 32:56
  Speaker 4: to me, boy. I will give your flesh to the
• 33:00
  Speaker 4: birds and beasts to feast on. There will be no
• 33:04
  Speaker 4: memory of you. I will make it so there is
• 33:08
  Speaker 4: no glory in your death.
• 33:12
  Speaker 2: David paid close attention to the wind shifting through the valley.
• 33:16
  Speaker 2: He shot out from the side of the canyon and
• 33:18
  Speaker 2: whistled from his left to his right. He had to
• 33:21
  Speaker 2: be sure about the wind. David threw his staff at
• 33:24
  Speaker 2: the giant's feet and stretched out his arms.
• 33:26
  Speaker 6: You come to me adorned with glimmering armor. Your sword
• 33:30
  Speaker 6: is large and your spear is heavy.
• 33:33
  Speaker 2: David's gaze was fearsome. He beckoned the giant and said.
• 33:38
  Speaker 6: I come to you in the name of the Lord
• 33:40
  Speaker 6: of Hosts. the God of the armies of Israel, the
• 33:43
  Speaker 6: liberator of slaves and creator of the stars. It is
• 33:47
  Speaker 6: he who is your challenger, giant, not I. So come,
• 33:53
  Speaker 6: come at me with all the strength in your bones,
• 33:56
  Speaker 6: for I declare this day that no man, no matter
• 34:00
  Speaker 6: how large, is any match for the creator of the
• 34:03
  Speaker 6: sun and stars. This day it will be your head.
• 34:07
  Speaker 6: that rolls off your shoulders to be eaten by the beasts.
• 34:11
  Speaker 3: And the birds.
• 34:13
  Speaker 6: All the world will know that there is a God
• 34:16
  Speaker 6: in Israel. All will know that he needs no sword
• 34:20
  Speaker 6: or spear. The battle is his. The outcome is final.
• 34:25
  Speaker 6: So come, come to me, giant. Do your worst and
• 34:30
  Speaker 6: I shall do mine.
• 34:34
  Speaker 2: Goliath's anger was kindling towards life he raged and lunged
• 34:39
  Speaker 2: towards the shepherd with all his might the earth quaked
• 34:42
  Speaker 2: beneath him david could feel the ground shift and shake
• 34:46
  Speaker 2: with every leap the giant was surprisingly quick goliath closed
• 34:52
  Speaker 2: the gap between him and his prey however david was
• 34:56
  Speaker 2: prepared as the giant began his pursuits David took a
• 35:00
  Speaker 2: single step back and retrieved the sling and a single
• 35:03
  Speaker 2: stone from his pouch. He placed the stone in the
• 35:05
  Speaker 2: sling and began to swing it behind him. He bent
• 35:08
  Speaker 2: his knees and drew a deep breath. For a single moment,
• 35:13
  Speaker 2: time itself stood still. The wind ceased its blowing, and
• 35:18
  Speaker 2: all David could hear was his own breathing. He watched
• 35:22
  Speaker 2: the giant run at the same pace of his own heart.
• 35:26
  Speaker 2: He had one shot at the giant. Only one. He
• 35:31
  Speaker 2: pivoted his foot back, bent his front knee, and prepared
• 35:34
  Speaker 2: for the first strike. If the giant attacked first, it
• 35:38
  Speaker 2: was over. He must be the first one to act.
• 35:42
  Speaker 2: The boy burst forward with the sling still swinging behind him.
• 35:45
  Speaker 2: Wyeth took the bait and pounced forward with his sword
• 35:48
  Speaker 2: high in the air. The shepherd released the sling, sending
• 35:52
  Speaker 2: the stone whistling through the air. The stone landed directly
• 35:56
  Speaker 2: into the beast's head, cracking it instantly. The giant's momentum
• 36:01
  Speaker 2: was halted as it crumbled to the ground. The entire
• 36:05
  Speaker 2: earth shook beneath him. The boy took action immediately. Pouncing
• 36:09
  Speaker 2: on the giant fearlessly, he took the giant's sword in
• 36:12
  Speaker 2: his hands and raised it high in the air. The
• 36:15
  Speaker 2: giant laid there with his back on the ground, looking
• 36:17
  Speaker 2: up at the shepherd boy. The final thing his eyes
• 36:20
  Speaker 2: beheld on earth was the swing of God's mighty hero.
• 36:25
  Speaker 2: The young shepherd roared as he swung the sword down,
• 36:29
  Speaker 2: beheading the giant. David's roars echoed through the valley. His
• 36:36
  Speaker 2: cries of victory were not like any other warriors. It
• 36:39
  Speaker 2: was a passionate and victorious song given unto the Lord.
• 36:44
  Speaker 2: Its sound was powerful and straight from the heart of God.
• 36:49
  Speaker 2: The men of Israel were in shock as they watched
• 36:51
  Speaker 2: the boy lift Goliath's head into the air. God's chosen
• 36:55
  Speaker 2: hero had vanquished the enemy. The very embodiment of fear
• 37:00
  Speaker 2: and death had been conquered by the loving yet powerful
• 37:04
  Speaker 2: passion of a shepherd. The Israelite army cried out in
• 37:10
  Speaker 2: victory and descended down the canyon towards the Philistines. Emboldened
• 37:15
  Speaker 2: by David, they ran towards the enemy. The Philistines ran
• 37:19
  Speaker 2: as the children of Israel stormed their camp. David picked
• 37:22
  Speaker 2: up another sword and began to fight alongside them. Saul
• 37:26
  Speaker 2: also entered the battlefield with renewed fire in his bones.
• 37:29
  Speaker 2: He rode into the enemy lines atop his horse. The
• 37:33
  Speaker 2: king swung his sword with fury and confidence. The entire
• 37:37
  Speaker 2: army of Israel did not consider for a moment that
• 37:40
  Speaker 2: they were outnumbered. They had just beheld a small shepherd
• 37:43
  Speaker 2: boy demonstrating the power of God against a fierce warrior.
• 37:48
  Speaker 2: Nothing was impossible for them. because nothing was impossible for God. Eliab, Abinadab,
• 37:56
  Speaker 2: and Shammah ran and battled with passion as well. They
• 37:59
  Speaker 2: struck together, gaining an advantage over several Philistine soldiers. When
• 38:04
  Speaker 2: they began to feel outmatched, David joined them. The brothers
• 38:09
  Speaker 2: watched as the runt of the litter wielded a blade
• 38:11
  Speaker 2: with grace and power. He was like a musician, using
• 38:15
  Speaker 2: rhythm and cadence with each swing and parry. He was
• 38:18
  Speaker 2: a sight to behold. and he restored hope to every soldier.
• 38:23
  Speaker 2: Saul watched David from a distance. It was unlike anything
• 38:27
  Speaker 2: he had ever seen.
• 38:28
  Speaker 3: Who is that warrior?
• 38:30
  Speaker 2: The king thought to himself.
• 38:31
  Speaker 3: It cannot be the boy who played the harp in
• 38:34
  Speaker 3: my halls.
• 38:36
  Speaker 2: It was. The forgotten son of Jesse the Bethlehemite was
• 38:40
  Speaker 2: the hero of Israel. God's chosen shepherd had protected the
• 38:45
  Speaker 2: flock and saved them from the jaws of the lions.
• 38:52
  Speaker 1: God's chosen hero has vanquished the enemy. The fear and
• 38:55
  Speaker 1: death has been conquered by the loving yet powerful passion
• 38:58
  Speaker 1: of the good shepherd. This was the final line in
• 39:02
  Speaker 1: the prelude to this episode. It can be used to
• 39:05
  Speaker 1: describe David's victory against Goliath. But we know by now
• 39:10
  Speaker 1: there was something even greater that was accomplished on the
• 39:12
  Speaker 1: cross by Jesus. We are supposed to look at the
• 39:15
  Speaker 1: fight of David and Goliath as a picture of Christ's
• 39:19
  Speaker 1: triumph over sin and death. Jesus is David, born in
• 39:22
  Speaker 1: Bethlehem and ridiculed by his own brothers. Goliath is sin,
• 39:27
  Speaker 1: paralyzing even the strongest men. Looking at it this way
• 39:31
  Speaker 1: puts the whole story in a different perspective. This doesn't
• 39:34
  Speaker 1: mean we can't relate to David. As we follow his
• 39:37
  Speaker 1: life even more, we will find that we have much
• 39:40
  Speaker 1: in common with him. But this story in particular stands
• 39:43
  Speaker 1: above the rest. It is meant to give us a
• 39:46
  Speaker 1: glimpse into the heart of heaven itself. The entire Bible,
• 39:50
  Speaker 1: leading up to this point has been pointing to the cross,
• 39:53
  Speaker 1: but it hadn't yet had a powerful image like David
• 39:56
  Speaker 1: versus Goliath. The young shepherd's bravery, trust, and passion expresses
• 40:00
  Speaker 1: the heart Jesus had when he marched up the mountain
• 40:03
  Speaker 1: for you and I. This episode began with Saul's craving
• 40:07
  Speaker 1: for conquest. The way he thinks about his own glory
• 40:10
  Speaker 1: is similar to how an addict thinks about their next fix.
• 40:14
  Speaker 1: With the absence of God and Samuel guiding his conscience,
• 40:18
  Speaker 1: He has descended even further down the dark pit of pride. However,
• 40:22
  Speaker 1: his delusion of grandeur are brought to a halt when
• 40:25
  Speaker 1: he sees Goliath. Saul, who is used to being the
• 40:29
  Speaker 1: largest person in battle, comes face to face with the
• 40:32
  Speaker 1: monstrosity of a man. His hawking frame and beast-like features
• 40:36
  Speaker 1: make Saul a scared child. There are some enemies even
• 40:40
  Speaker 1: the strongest among us can't defeat. Goliath delivers a challenge
• 40:44
  Speaker 1: to the people of Israel. They must send one man
• 40:47
  Speaker 1: to fight him. and if that man prevails, then the
• 40:50
  Speaker 1: Philistines have lost. The structure of this challenge is very important.
• 40:55
  Speaker 1: Whoever faces Goliath will represent all of Israel. If he wins,
• 40:59
  Speaker 1: he will be solely responsible for their deliverance. Every man
• 41:03
  Speaker 1: under the command of Saul must think about how they
• 41:05
  Speaker 1: measure up to this giant and make a conscious decision
• 41:08
  Speaker 1: to fight or flee. No man, even the king himself,
• 41:13
  Speaker 1: feels strong enough to face such a menacing foe. The
• 41:17
  Speaker 1: truth is, We're all helpless to defeat sin on our own.
• 41:21
  Speaker 1: The enemy can only be defeated by a hero, but
• 41:24
  Speaker 1: we know deep down that we aren't that hero. Even
• 41:28
  Speaker 1: the strongest among us are helpless in the face of
• 41:30
  Speaker 1: sin and death. So who is strong enough? Who is
• 41:33
  Speaker 1: the deliverer brave and strong enough to fight Goliath? David
• 41:38
  Speaker 1: enters the camp of Israel, perplexed by their inaction. It
• 41:41
  Speaker 1: seems plain to David what should be done, and he
• 41:45
  Speaker 1: almost seems surprised that nobody has risen up yet. David,
• 41:49
  Speaker 1: from the outside, can appear naive in his confidence. Men
• 41:53
  Speaker 1: far more seasoned in battle wouldn't dare face Goliath, but
• 41:57
  Speaker 1: David seems to have no fear. Is David naive? Is
• 42:00
  Speaker 1: he delusional and perhaps too confident in his own skills?
• 42:04
  Speaker 4: No.
• 42:05
  Speaker 1: Actually, it's the exact opposite. David doesn't consider his skills
• 42:09
  Speaker 1: too much at all. He knows that God is at
• 42:12
  Speaker 1: the front of this battle and all he needs to
• 42:14
  Speaker 1: do is step out and obey. The Lord has proven
• 42:17
  Speaker 1: time and time again that he doesn't need skilled warriors.
• 42:21
  Speaker 1: He needs willing hearts. David is willing. After enduring the
• 42:25
  Speaker 1: mockery of his brothers, David steps forward into Saul's tent
• 42:29
  Speaker 1: and volunteers himself to face the giant. He is met
• 42:33
  Speaker 1: with chuckles and grins, which makes sense since he is
• 42:36
  Speaker 1: just a shepherd boy. David, up to this point, has
• 42:40
  Speaker 1: only been known as Saul's personal musician. Of course, he
• 42:44
  Speaker 1: would not be taken seriously. However, David's words compel Saul
• 42:48
  Speaker 1: and his men. David tells Saul about his encounter with
• 42:52
  Speaker 1: the lion, then says, he defied the armies of God
• 42:56
  Speaker 1: and made a mockery of him. I will strike down
• 42:59
  Speaker 1: this giant with the same power by which I struck
• 43:01
  Speaker 1: down the lion, by the might of God himself. The
• 43:06
  Speaker 1: Lord who delivered me from the paw of the predator
• 43:08
  Speaker 1: will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine. Saul
• 43:12
  Speaker 1: is moved and feels that David may be the spark
• 43:15
  Speaker 1: Israel needs. Saul gives David his blessing, then proceeds to
• 43:20
  Speaker 1: give David his golden-scaled armor, sword, and shield. Naturally, it
• 43:25
  Speaker 1: doesn't fit David. He politely rejects Saul's gesture and takes
• 43:29
  Speaker 1: the armor off. What Saul perceives as necessary, David perceives
• 43:34
  Speaker 1: as a hindrance. Saul saw it necessary to cover himself
• 43:37
  Speaker 1: head to toe in protection and splendor. but David saw
• 43:41
  Speaker 1: it as a danger. This is a grand metaphor. Saul's
• 43:45
  Speaker 1: armor is a representation of his own pride and self-reliance.
• 43:49
  Speaker 1: Saul used it to protect himself, but also to parade himself.
• 43:53
  Speaker 1: The armor was a symbol of the outward appearance of
• 43:56
  Speaker 1: strength Saul held so dear. David, having inner strength and
• 44:01
  Speaker 1: trust in God, did not need Saul's false protection. He
• 44:04
  Speaker 1: refused the armor and thus refused to take on Saul's persona.
• 44:09
  Speaker 1: The world is going to try its best to cover
• 44:12
  Speaker 1: you with armor you don't need, but there is no
• 44:14
  Speaker 1: substitute for the peace that comes from God. David goes
• 44:19
  Speaker 1: down to the brook near the battlefield and prays to God.
• 44:22
  Speaker 1: You are my shepherd, he said to God. Even though
• 44:24
  Speaker 1: I walk into the valley of death, I will fear
• 44:27
  Speaker 1: no evil. You are with me. This was taken from
• 44:30
  Speaker 1: Psalm 23, a famous song and prayer to God. It
• 44:34
  Speaker 1: is not a stretch to think that David prayed something
• 44:37
  Speaker 1: similar before facing Goliath. He knew he had nothing to fear,
• 44:41
  Speaker 1: for God was with him. Our new and budding hero
• 44:45
  Speaker 1: bravely entered the valley, standing opposite the giant ready for
• 44:49
  Speaker 1: the battle. Goliath was insulted by David's presence and cursed him.
• 44:55
  Speaker 1: David was small and young, clearly no match for a
• 44:59
  Speaker 1: warrior like Goliath. Here lies a common theme found in Scripture.
• 45:03
  Speaker 1: The small and powerless rise up to take on the
• 45:06
  Speaker 1: large and powerful. Think about Joseph rising up in the
• 45:10
  Speaker 1: hostile country of Egypt. Think about Moses and the Israelites
• 45:14
  Speaker 1: standing up to Pharaoh. Think about the liberated slaves of
• 45:18
  Speaker 1: Israel taking on the giant armies of the Canaanites. The
• 45:21
  Speaker 1: entirety of Scripture up until this point has told us
• 45:25
  Speaker 1: the story of David and Goliath before we even met them. David,
• 45:29
  Speaker 1: as small as he may be, has a giant of
• 45:33
  Speaker 1: a God beside him. The odds are not in Goliath's favor,
• 45:37
  Speaker 1: and David knows it. This is why he is able
• 45:41
  Speaker 1: to speak boldly to the giant yelling, you come to
• 45:45
  Speaker 1: me adorned with glimmering armor. Your sword is large and
• 45:50
  Speaker 1: your spear is heavy. I come to you in the
• 45:53
  Speaker 1: name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the
• 45:55
  Speaker 1: armies of Israel, the liberator of slaves and the creator
• 45:59
  Speaker 1: of the stars. It is he who is your challenger, giant,
• 46:03
  Speaker 1: not I. So come, come at me with all the
• 46:06
  Speaker 1: strength in your bones. For I declare this day that
• 46:10
  Speaker 1: no man, no matter how large, is any match for
• 46:13
  Speaker 1: the creator of the sun and the stars. This day,
• 46:17
  Speaker 1: it will be your head that rolls off your shoulders
• 46:19
  Speaker 1: to be eaten by the beast and the birds. All
• 46:23
  Speaker 1: the world will know that there is a God in Israel.
• 46:26
  Speaker 1: All will know that he needs no sword or spear.
• 46:29
  Speaker 1: The battle is his. The outcome is final. So come,
• 46:34
  Speaker 1: come to me, giant. Do your worst and I shall
• 46:37
  Speaker 1: do mine. These words send chills down my spine. David
• 46:41
  Speaker 1: spoke with such passion and confidence. I can only hope
• 46:44
  Speaker 1: to have this kind of faith. This episode reaches its
• 46:48
  Speaker 1: climax when Goliath leaps toward David, all to be met
• 46:52
  Speaker 1: with the stone lodged in his skull. David beheads his
• 46:56
  Speaker 1: enemy and lifts it up for all to see. What
• 46:59
  Speaker 1: happens next is a brilliant image. The entire army of
• 47:03
  Speaker 1: Israel is filled with passion after David's victory. They stormed
• 47:08
  Speaker 1: the valley and take on the Philistines. That carriage was
• 47:11
  Speaker 1: given to them by David. He is the one who
• 47:14
  Speaker 1: slew Goliath, but they are all beneficiaries of that triumph
• 47:18
  Speaker 1: and are emboldened by it. This is what Christ's victory
• 47:22
  Speaker 1: does to us. The victory Jesus has over death gives
• 47:25
  Speaker 1: us courage, strength, and passion. We are beneficiaries of Christ's triumph.
• 47:32
  Speaker 1: The people of Israel now know who David is. It
• 47:35
  Speaker 1: is impossible for him to remain anonymous. In our next episode,
• 47:40
  Speaker 1: we will see how fame affects David. Will he succumb
• 47:43
  Speaker 1: to the same temptation Saul did? How will Saul deal
• 47:46
  Speaker 1: with David's growing popularity? And what about Saul's promise to
• 47:50
  Speaker 1: give his daughter's hand in marriage? To find out, tune
• 47:53
  Speaker 1: in to our next episode, A Dowry of Blood. Thanks
• 47:57
  Speaker 1: again for listening. For more inspiring stories, daily prayers, and
• 48:02
  Speaker 1: wisdom to last a lifetime, go to Pray.com. Share this
• 48:06
  Speaker 1: podcast with a family member or friend and help us
• 48:09
  Speaker 1: spread God's word. God bless.