000 Allen FMT (i-xxii) - The Presbyterian Leader

Proper 7 [12]/Year B 157
the Philistines were camped on either side of a valley near Socoh, about
fourteen miles west of Bethlehem. As their champion the Philistines put
forward Goliath, about ten feet tall, covered in armor with only his forehead
exposed, and holding a massive weapon (1 Sam. 17:1–11).
The Israelites feared Goliath and no one came forward to fight him.
The young David was initially not even on the battlefield but was summoned
(17:12–23). David asks a question, “Who is this uncircumcised
Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” With this,
David surpasses the theological understanding of all others on the battlefield
(17:24–30). After hearing David’s record in killing lions and bears,
Saul consents to David confronting Goliath (17:31–37). David takes only
a staff, a sling, and five smooth stones to confront Goliath. He dispatches
Goliath with one stone and the Philistines flee, leaving Israel to plunder
their camp (1 Sam. 17:38–58).
Preachers often apply this text to personal life circumstances by pointing
out that in partnership with God, individuals can overcome the repressive
giants that confront them. The same is true for communities, a point
that may be especially pertinent for struggling congregations. The church
itself is increasingly a David-like presence for God’s values in a Goliathlike
culture of idolatry, exploitation, and violence.
Saul spoke with David, after which “the soul of Jonathan [Saul’s heir]
was bound to the soul of David” (1 Sam. 18:1). Although some interpreters
think this expression refers to a same-gender sexual relationship,
we are not persuaded by that argument and think instead that it refers
more generally to a deep sense of commitment to one another. Today’s
culture might call them soul mates. They made a covenant, and Jonathan
gave David a robe and weaponry. Some scholars conclude that with this
gesture, Jonathan surrendered the throne of Saul to the former shepherd
(18:2–4). While this incident is not so important in its own right, the narrators
use it to establish the relationship between David and Jonathan that
is later significant because of the shifting loyalties among Jonathan, Saul,
and David. A preacher might develop a sermon that traces the relationship
of David and Jonathan through the books of Samuel (e.g., 20:1–42;
23:16–18; 31:2; 2 Sam. 1:1–27; 4:4; 9:1–13; 16:1–4; 19:24–30; 21:7–14).
Saul initially approves David’s success in battle (1 Sam. 18:5), but he
grows angry when some Israelite women declare that Saul has killed thousands
but David tens of thousands (18:6–9). The next day, under the influence
of an evil spirit, Saul tried to kill David with a spear, but David got
away. Saul, afraid and wanting to be rid of David, gave the younger person
a commission in the army, but God was with David so that David