Fear shakes the hands and hearts of the Israelites as they learn about Goliath, the great giant of their Philistine enemy.  When he stood before the Israelites, it was like an eclipse of the sun, as they stood covered by the great shadow cast by him.  However, David is not afraid of Goliath, because God is much more powerful than this awesome enemy.   David stalks closer to Goliath.  A tiny stone hurled from David’s sling shot is enough to make the giant drop.

If fear overwhelms God’s people, another destructive emotion, once small, now a “giant,” burns away in the heart of King Saul—jealousy.  Goliath is an easy match for David; however, now he spends much of his time hiding from Saul as this wicked King pursues God’s anointed, instead of God’s enemies.

Think about the many lessons that today’s reading can teach you.

1 Samuel 17⎯19

Check out Study Tools in BibleGateway.
I especially recommend the free resource
in Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”

 

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