The Shepherd and the Philistine – July 10
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 20, 21:1-7(8-14); PM Psalm 110:1-5(6-7), 116, 117; 1 Samuel 17:31-49; Acts 11:1-18; Mark 1:14-28
I can still remember being eight or nine years old and sitting on my bed with my mom, as she read stories to me from this large burgundy book, Hurlbut’s Story of the Bible. It was hers when she was young, and she shared it with me. One of the tales that fascinated me was the epic fight between David the shepherd and Goliath the Philistine giant. I can see in my mind’s eye the picture of little boy David and enormous warrior Goliath, a mismatched pair for battle. And today, we get to read a portion of the story through the scripture appointed from 1 Samuel.
Reading the story today, two things stick out. First, David speaks of himself to Saul as “your servant” - in third person, which is both amusing and odd. Second, this shepherd is not just a meek and mild pretty face. David is a badass:
“But David said to Saul, ‘Your servant used to keep sheep for his father; and whenever a lion or a bear came, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after it and struck it down, rescuing the lamb from its mouth; and if it turned against me, I would catch it by the jaw, strike it down, and kill it. Your servant has killed both lions and bears; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, since he has defied the armies of the living God.’” (1 Samuel 17:34-36)
Yes, you read that correctly. This shepherd fought lions and bears with his bare hands, and it sounds like he did it singlehandedly. He would grab their jaws – which sounds nearly impossible while evading the powerful paws and claws of these predators. He would wrench the prey from their mouths. He would then kill the offending beast. I imagine the animal as immense as a grizzly bear, with Werner Herzog narrating the documentary, but even if the powerful predators were the size of a puma or bobcat, what David describes is harrowing and bold. He a fierce protector of his flock.
In verse 37, the shepherd credits Yahweh (the Lord) with keeping him safe, saving him from the paws and jaws of bears and lions. If God protects David from predators, then surely he will be safe from the hands of the offending Philistine. Perhaps it is not surprising, then, that though it was offered to him by Saul, the beautiful shepherd boy wears no external armor to shield his body or head when he goes into battle. David trusts the Lord to be with him as he wields his sling – slight in presentation yet dangerous as a weapon of ancient warfare.
When the Philistine (referred to only once as Goliath of Gath in 1 Samuel 17:4) meets his opponent on the field of battle, he says, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the wild animals of the field.” David retorts with a great speech:
“You come to me with sword and spear and javelin; but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This very day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head; and I will give the dead bodies of the Philistine army this very day to the birds of the air and to the wild animals of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not save by sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and he will give you into our hand.” (v. 45-47)
David, speaking eloquently, brings a strong resolve that is unparalleled. To him, it is not a singular match between two people. Rather, David is representing all of Israel and is backed by God, facing the defiance of the Philistines who have affronted the Lord. David far from a meek and mild pretty face, the baby of the family. He is on fire for God. It is God’s righteousness that propels him forward into battle. And David prevailed.
While I have always seen David as an underdog in this epic battle, perhaps I was looking through the lens of the Philistine, Goliath of Gath. This morning I see the story differently. The story that Israel retold to their daughters and sons showed what we see in holy scripture: a fierce shepherd trusted fully in God, while tending sheep and facing adversaries.
The hand of the living God is here to save David, and that hand is here to save you, too. Whatever struggle is plaguing you or those you love, I pray that you see the loving, strong hand of the Lord guiding you in pleasure and in hardship. May you be strengthened by God this day.
-- Katherine+
Questions for Reflection
When was a time you were underestimated? Who have you gauged incorrectly before, who appeared stronger or more resilient than you expected? What happened next?
Daily Challenge
David was prepared for battle because he was grounded in God's love for him -- not in his own drive for success. Spend two minutes in quiet prayer about how the Lord is equipping you in love and life - for what battles are behind and ahead for you. Then, take five minutes to journal about what comes up for you in the witness of David the shepherd.