Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee
1Samuel 17:45-46a
King Saul is going through a difficult time, an uneasiness of soul due to a severe disturbance caused by an “evil spirit” (1 Samuel 16) depriving him of sleep. One of his servants then proposed to him as a remedy the melodies of a shepherd boy: David, one of the sons of Isai, a good player, but also a strong, valiant, good-looking young man of good oratory, and above all the LORD was with him (v. 18). The young man is chosen without applying or participating in a selection, simply because he is preceded by his own testimony. Beyond the speaking of others, I believe it is always the Spirit who proposes and disposes “as he wills.” Although he was a “strong and valiant” man, however, he was excluded from the battle against the Philistines (1 Samuel 17). He did not belong, at least for now. Israel's army is mocked for forty days by the threats of Goliath, who demanded a one-on-one confrontation. The number forty has a strongly representative value; it is mentioned in various situations and in all of them it represents a difficulty to be faced and from which a change will result. It was after forty days and forty nights that Isai sent David to the battle site to bring provisions to his brothers. There he heard the threatening words of the Philistine and was so deeply shaken by them that he offered himself for the fight. After forty days the Spirit aroused someone so that they would change the events.
Eliab, David's older brother, was not enthusiastic about his descent into the field, to the point of insulting him by accusing him of pride and malice (v. 28). While those who are driven by the hand of God no one can stop, they will always have to deal with resistance and opposition even from within (family). Saul, learning that there was one willing to fight against Goliath, called him and asked for an explanation (v. 32). To see God's kingdom advance, we must offer ourselves and not hide. Like a father, Saul sought to protect the boy's life by offering him his armor, just as any good servant would do today toward the ranks of those prepared to serve the LORD. Indeed, he stripped off his armor and gave it to him (v. 38). This, however, proved too great: we cannot put on the clothes or name of others, but must be ourselves, for otherwise we run the risk of appearing what we are not. Instead, the boy took it off, laid down his sword, and taking his staff went to the nearby river where he picked up five stones. The stones picked up represent ability, possibility and potential in serving. They are not useful to us all at the same time, but we will use them throughout our lives alternately, depending on circumstances.
Once in the field, he was scorned by Goliat (v. 42) “because he was a boy, tawny of hair and good-looking.” When we are full of desire, resources and strength, the adversary (and whoever for him) seeks through contempt to annihilate what God wants to use. David had the peculiarity of his reddish hair; this made him different from others. While the enemy uses our differences to make us feel inferior, the Lord values them as an element of distinction from others and a peculiar strength of ours. He takes what others despise to show His wisdom and power. David did not react to the scorn, but responded with the words of the opening verses of the devotional. He who has it in his heart to serve God seeks neither praise nor material riches, but animates him in his heart such a passion that is seen in his eyes. And Goliat will know it fully. After the battle, Saul asks David for the family details, as if he did not know who he was. It is unfortunate when this happens in God's work, where some responsible person does not fully know those who serve. Nevertheless, our choice remains to serve the Lord and attend to the advancement of His kingdom; this must be our one and only interest. Have a good fight.
Weekly Bible Reading Plan No. 45
November 04, Jeremiah 34-36; Hebrews 2
November 05, Jeremiah 37-39; Hebrews 3
November 06, Jeremiah 40-42; Hebrews 4
November 07, Jeremiah 43-45; Hebrews 5
November 08, Jeremiah 46-47; Hebrews 6
November 09, Jeremiah 48-49; Hebrews 7
November 10, Jeremiah 50; Hebrews 8
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