David & Goliath - 1 Samuel 17

So too the church has had victories but now is facing the full brunt of the religious spirit’s force. Unfortunately Saul was totally intimidated when confronted by this champion of Philistia, and following suit so was the whole of Israel’s army. Saul was actually a champion of a man himself, tall and strong, yet he was no match for the giant Goliath – just as those ministries that God has raised up, no matter how powerful they have been in the past, within themselves are no match for the religious spirit.

The name Goliath means splendour and he was certainly a splendid specimen of a man, impressive in appearance and form. He was from Gath, which means winepress. The religious spirit can appear very impressive and give quite a splendid performance, so much so that people would prefer this champion and his wine, but it is a false strength and a counterfeit wine.

Goliath’s armour and weaponry were equally impressive. His armour was made of bronze, which speaks of a worldly strength. He had a coat of bronze mail that alone weighed 57 kg. He had a bronze javelin – a long spear that could be thrown from a great distance. His influence and strength are far reaching. The iron tip alone weighed 6 kg. At this time in history iron was a valued technology, which was the domain of the Philistines and very closely guarded. Israel was therefore at a distinct disadvantage because of this Philistine monopoly on iron. (1Sam 13:19-22) The religious spirit offers the newest weaponry – technology; light shows, sound systems, but this is at the expense of the true anointing.

Goliath’s armour bearer carried his huge shield and likewise the religious spirit will boast a faith that is far greater than any others. His sword (1Sam 21:8-9) was also excellent, there was none like it. This is the true Word of God. It remains true, no matter in whose hand it is wielded. Even satan used the Word against Christ, but without the Spirit it is powerless and only empty words.

THE STAND OFF

We find Goliath standing on the opposite hill to Saul and the Israelite army. The valley of Elah is the scene of the confrontation; Elah meaning oak. There is a confrontation going on in the valley of the oaks; the oaks of righteousness, planted by the brook. The church is in this valley of decision. The same battle that the Israelite army faced in Saul and David’s time, and also in Jehoshaphat’s time (Joel 3), is being faced by the church of today.

The religious spirit is shouting his intimidations across the valley to the Israelite army, defying the armies of God and the church is powerless to respond. Why? Because Saul, the leaders of the church, are wearing the same armour as Goliath! Saul has taken on the very thing which is seeking to destroy him. First we have to bind the strong man in our own hearts, lives and churches before we can even consider entering the strong man’s house.

Saul wore a bronze helmet and a coat of mail, the armour of his time. He was going in the strength of the world and the religious system, thereby disempowering himself and the Israelite army. (1Sam 17:38) The church today is trying to defeat the religious spirit while enjoying the very things it offers – false wine, technology and carnal strength. So no matter how it appears in the eyes of man, most of the church is weak and fearful, living under the shadow of the religious spirit.

But now on the scene appears David; young, inexperienced in battle, forthright. He has been serving Saul but very much in the background. Saul didn’t even know from where David came from (17:55). And it is now, after 40 days of abuse and intimidation that David comes to visit his big brothers. 40 appears repeatedly throughout the scriptures and it is a time to refocus, re-evaluate and also to receive the how, why and what are the true purposes and ways of God.

David is indignant at the taunts of this uncircumcised giant. God demands circumcision. (Ex 4:24-26) But when we allow the flesh to operate and dominate, when we allow the religious spirit to influence and control, we are by definition uncircumcised.

David discovers that Saul has promised his daughter Merab, whose name means increase, to the victor, along with lifelong exemption from paying taxes for his entire family. Those that operate under the influence of the religious spirit promise great recognition and increase to those who will further the cause of their church. But too often when the David’s are used of God powerfully that offer is withdrawn and they are vilified.

David speaks to his brother Eliab about the truth of such an offer. But what does he get for his trouble? Abuse and accusation from his own brothers, who were themselves fearful of the future, intimidated by the threats of this Philistine giant and primarily concerned for their own safety and success. But David is not to be deterred even by his own family. His confidence is not in himself but in the God he serves. He enquires further and David is brought before the king. He is only a young man but he has seen God move powerfully through him while he has been out in the fields alone. Not his family, not the army of Israel, not even the king himself could deter him. That same conviction, single mindedness and solid faith is what is needed in the church today.

Saul decides to send David out to face Goliath and offers him his own armour and sword but David wisely rejects these cumbersome and unfamiliar items. Unlike Saul, David refuses to wear an outward appearance of strength and protection, this would have been his undoing.

DAVID’S ARSENAL

What does David take into battle with him? Only those things necessary to bring about victory – the tools of a true shepherd, a shepherd who is now a deliverer.

The first thing he does is pick up five smooth stones from the brook. Stones that have been smoothed by the constant motion of stone against stone in water. In this instance the stones depict the five fold ministry which has been refined and purified. David here is a type of the apostolic/prophetic moving ahead of the armies of Israel to confront Goliath, bringing the nation of Israel into deliverance and freedom.

David puts the stones in his shepherd’s bag, a container for the outworkings of the Holy Spirit. He also took his shepherd’s staff – bestowed authority. Moses also had this bestowed authority and who was also used to demonstrate God’s power and dominion.

David also took his sling, which represents praise and worship. It is when ministries that have been in the brook of preparation release their praise, worship and faith that God can and does bring about great victories and deliverance through them.

So David is more than prepared and he walks out in his bestowed authority, takes his stand and prophecies (17:45-47). He then runs quickly to the attack and so must we. Knowing who our God is we worship and lift our praise, fully confident that our God has already won the victory!

THE VICTORY

David takes a stone and slings it accurately and powerfully and consequently Goliath is knocked to the ground. Our worship and faith in the midst of battle confuses the religious spirit. There is no debate, no argument, no ceremony – only the prophetic word of God delivered powerfully along with faith filled worship, then all will know that the victory is the Lord’s alone, it was not man’s strength or ability.

David takes Goliath’s sword, decapitating him. The Word of God used correctly will render the religious spirit ineffective – it will be blind, deaf and dumb and unable to operate in that instance. The death of Goliath opened the way for the army of Israel to pursue and defeat the Philistine army. They were no longer held in bondage by the religious spirit – manifested in their own lives by fear and intimidation. They were set free, David had broken through on their behalf.

FEAR

Under the control of Goliath, the Israelite army no longer feared God, they feared man and were therefore rendered defenceless and powerless. One of the outworkings of the religious spirit being in control is that the necessary and healthy fear of God is removed, making way for the fear of man and satan. This will manifest itself in a lack of wisdom, for the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.

Saul was a leader who continually manifested a lack of wisdom. (1Sam 13:8-12, 1 Sam 14:24-30, 1 Sam 15:7-9, 1 Sam 28:5-8) Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us that God’s thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are higher than ours. So when we live in the fear of God and not the fear of man we become conduits for the wisdom, power and authority of God to be revealed. The church today is needing Davidic deliverers who are unconventional, forthright and move in the wisdom and power of God, to break through the enemy lines and release the freedom, liberty and authority of the Spirit of God. No matter how they appear to leadership, congregations, family members, they will passionately pursue their God. Worshippers of Jesus Christ alone, they will scorn the entrapments offered by the religious spirit and refuse to operate in the fleshly ways of the Saul leadership. They will fight the Lord’s battles and the Lord Himself will bring the victory!