GRACE & TRUTH

The Life of David
Keith Underhill
2. DAVID’S RISE TO FAME (1 Samuel 16:14-17:58)
(1) God’s providence in exalting David
Remember that Samuel had not anointed David in public before all Israel, but only
before his family (16:13). However, the Lord was soon at work to show all the people
that David was indeed the king after His own heart.
King Saul actually called him into his royal court to play soothing music when he
was tormented by an evil spirit from God (16:23). David needed this experience in
court where he was going to serve the Lord in the future.
It was David whom his father Jesse sent to the battle front, arriving at the very time
when Goliath appeared with his taunts against Israel (17:23).
Even though he had been anointed, he never sought these things for himself, but was
always walking in the path of humble duty. He went to Saul by Saul’s request and his
father’s permission, and returned from court when he was not required. He obediently
carried out his father’s commands to care for the welfare of his older three brothers.
God fulfilled His plans for David in these seemingly ordinary ways. Yet remember
how important is David’s position in God’s plan of redemption in Christ, for Christ
would be his descendent and sit upon his throne! Here is one great principle to know
the guidance of God in your life. Always carefully continue in the path of duty,
however insignificant that duty may seem to be, for God is able to open and close
doors as He sees fit. Conversely, do not try to take advantage of opportunities that
make you forget your duty. For example, things that come up on the Lord’s Day as a
test of your obedience to the 4 th . commandment.
(2) The enemy that needed to be defeated
Perhaps the Philistines had heard that Samuel and Saul had parted ways, and that an
evil spirit from the Lord made Saul basically unfit to rule. They would hope that now
was the opportunity to go into battle again after the defeat at Michmash (ch. 14), and
this time they were going to do it by a representative man, Goliath.
Goliath’s person (17:4-7). What a formidable foe! His height, his armour, and his
obvious strength. No wonder that Israel feared (17:11). Even the formerly
courageous Saul, but now without God’s Spirit, and Jonathan his son cowered.
Goliath’s challenge (17:8-10). Let the battle only be decided by a duel between 2
men. They think the army of Israel will not be able to produce one strong enough.
Goliath was a man who trusted in himself and his own gods (17:43-44).
There were none in Israel who could overcome Goliath by their own native strength.
The situation looked hopeless, as if the nation of God would now be subjugated by the
Philistines.
(3) How David defeated Goliath
First, by his jealousy for the honour of the Lord. It was this that provoked him to
action (17:26). He could not stand idly by when the name of the Lord of hosts was
being blasphemed (17:45). God’s great and holy name had to be vindicated against
Goliath’s, an uncircumcised man, defiance. David shows that he really is the man
after God’s own heart, who is ‘out and out’ for God, putting God’s honour and glory
before all other considerations. He takes his place with Phinehas (Numbers 25:6-13),
Elijah on Horeb (1 Kings 19:10), Ezra (9:3), and of course our Lord (John 2:14-17).
No personal cost is too great where God’s glory has suffered loss in the earth (17:46).
We desire all the earth to know who God is, and that God’s people be strengthened in
the faith. If you rightly have jealousy over your marriage partner, what about your
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