What is the greatest story in the bible excluding the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ? Many would agree that one of the greatest and most meaningful events in the bible was the day a mere shepherd boy defeated a giant in the Valley of Elah. Unfortunately, many never understand the true significance of that event as well as who the participants in that battle actually represent. Let’s look at the story again in a different light.
I think everyone agrees that Goliath of Gath represents the evil one, Satan. The mistake we make is thinking that we are David in the story as we’re told to go out and face our giants. This giant came out daily to defy the king and soldiers of Israel, and thus defying the God of Israel. This giant was a big enemy that had the army of Israel literally shaking in their boots. It’s important to remember that the challenge was a one-on-one battle as Goliath cried out to Israel to send out a man to fight him. The winner of this death match won a victory for his nation and loser’s side would be slaves of the victor!
For forty days, he came out twice each day to roar his ridicule and threats. Forty of course is the number which represents trials. Twice daily, the king and every soldier cowered down unwilling to go out and face the challenge of this evil giant. Then one day, a mere shepherd boy, on a mission from his father, appeared on the scene. His reaction to hearing the taunts of this giant astonished soldiers and angered his brothers, as he declared that he would go out to face this giant. He looked around at the weak-kneed soldiers and asked, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine who defies the armies of the living God?” In other words, who dares challenge our God?
David walked onto the battlefield, refusing to be clothed in another’s armor. He chose only the weapons the Lord had taught him to use in defeating a bear and a lion as he roamed the hillsides protecting his father’s sheep. Goliath roared his disdain for this unimpressive shepherd boy by declaring that he would feed him to the birds. David heard these boisterous threats and made an immortal declaration by saying, “You come to me with a spear and sword, but I come to you in the name of the Lord! Today, all will know there is a God in Israel!”
History was made that day as the stone found its mark on the head of Goliath and the giant fell to the ground. As the giant fell, fear filled the soldiers of the Philistines while the army of Israel erupted in victorious shouts as they chased and overcame their enemy. You see my friends, David doesn’t represent us, he represents Jesus! The only one who could face and defeat the evil giant. The glorious lesson here is that Jesus won the battle for us! As our representative, he crushed the skull of the evil giant. After all, the place where the cross of Christ was planted is called Golgotha- “the place of the skull”. The battleground where our David defeated the giant, Satan, for all of us.
