Why Did David Fight Goliath?

1 Samuel 17:12-58 takes us through the story of David and Goliath, and what an awesome story this is, and fight it turned out to be, not only because of the contrasts between sizes of the people and the sizes of faith, but also because there’s so much to this event! For instance, some important messages from David and Goliath include:
•    With God, all things are possible
•    Don’t look so much at the size of the trial, but focus instead on the victory after it. (:46)
•    The Voice of Truth will encourage you to victory
•    David’s faith in the Lord to even approach Goliath with only 5 stones (supposedly for Goliath and his 4 brothers?), only a sling (it didn’t even mention his wooden staff), and no armor.

However, I think there’s one that’s often overlooked, which is: “Why did David fight the giant?” What fired him up? What was his focus/purpose?

Why Did David Fight Goliath?

I believe that what drove him was the passion and desire to glorify the Lord Almighty, for in verse 46, David said “The whole world will know that there’s a God in Israel”, and in 47: “All those gathered here today will know that it’s not by sword or spear that the Lord saves, the battle is the Lord’s.” However, I also think that David was surprised at how nobody had stepped up already.

Goliath stood way over on the other hill (not 20-50 feet away, like the Bible series portrayed). For 40 days, Goliath would advance and defy the Lord and His army. What did God’s people do in response? Nothing! Instead, they actually let this giant continue in his blasphemy. Nobody even dared rebuke him for it. We know this because it was so huge when David said something (his older brothers even tried to shut him up). But if you don’t stand up, then you’re just as well supporting the blasphemer.

Sure, this happened a long time ago, but unfortunately, even today, we live in cultures and lands that continue to mock God, use His Name in vain, spread lies about Jesus, promote sinful behavior, openly sin and even celebrate that sin, push God out, fight Christians and our freedom of worshiping God, and mix Christ in with other religions so as to water down His authority and deity. It’s not anything new, but has actually been going on for some time. And sure, according to the book of Revelation, it’s something that will happen and has to happen, but it’s still disappointing that it’s happening. Because just like in David’s time, God’s people have cowered in their (our) comfort zones behind enemy lines, as if to be waiting for somebody with no chance in the world to come forward and challenge our modern-day Goliath for us.

This Huge 9 Foot Tall Giant

So why, of all people, did little David  step forward against this huge 9 foot tall giant? Though he had no chance in the world, he did have the one God not of this world, and out of David’s love and reverence for God, his main focus was on defeating this enemy who dares blaspheme God and God’s people. And he had confidence in himself because he had killed both lions and bears, but he knew that it was the Lord who rescued him from them, and who actually conquered such beasts, so David knew that God would just do the same with this giant as He had done with them…he had no doubt.

Let me ask you something. If somebody calls your girlfriend or wife a whore, would you stand up and defend her honor (I’m guessing you would). So then why would you not defend God when somebody slanders or mocks Him? Isn’t He more important to you? But you’re not worried about their feelings when you defend your spouse/girlfriend, are you? You’re not worried about offending somebody when defending your favorite sports team, right? So then why are Christians often so afraid to confront and/or correct somebody when they insult God?

Quickly Run Toward the Battle Line To Meet (Goliath)

Verse 48 says that David “quickly ran toward the battle line to meet (Goliath).”

When were we ever taught that confrontation for the sake of correction or rebuke is wrong? Was it taught in church? Did we learn it at school? At home? Maybe you were once told that it’s not the Christian thing to do. But do you not realize that Jesus confronted and rebuked the Pharisees, Saducees, Teachers of the Law, the High Priest, Pilate, people, His disciples…when it was necessary? Did you also notice that nobody among God’s people even spoke out against Goliath for fear of confrontation?

Amazing, isn’t it? We’ll send our military to countries to defend rebels or governments that we have no right helping or getting involved with, but we won’t lift a finger to defend God.

Understand, I’m not suggesting that we take up arms and knock down people who blaspheme God, OK, that’s NOT what I’m saying. What I AM saying however is that we need to stop being like the Israelites who stood around and did nothing when a big threat opposed God. Every time we open our eyes, we are exposed to cultures that blaspheme the Lord God, and they do so not only because they can, but because nobody has stopped them from doing it (yet?). David stepped forward when nobody else did and put Goliath in his place for his words…he stopped the blasphemy.

I mean, sure, God is big enough to defend Himself, and Scripture says that God can’t be mocked, but look at what happened with the armies (of both sides) after David defeated Goliath (v.51-52): “When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron…”

What do you think would happen if we became as little David, instead of continued on being like the Israelites who did nothing? What’s keeping us from doing so? What will it take for you to stand up and defend God’s Name?

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