#David&saulsarmor

David and Sauls Armor

You can read the full story in 1 Samuel 17. Below is the scripture in a more “story like” telling. Notice the bolded section.

While Saul was king, God’s people faced many enemies. When the Philistines challenged, Saul gathered his own army to march out and meet them. The two armies camped on opposite hills across the valley of Elah. Each morning and evening, the Philistines sent out a tall, hulking man named Goliath to challenge the Israelites. 

“Hey, you pigs!” Goliath mocked. “I dare you to send a man to fight me!” The Israelites shook in fear at the sight of Goliath’s heavy spear. 

“If your man fights me and wins,” thundered Goliath, “we’ll be your slaves. But if I crush him like a cockroach, you’ll be our slaves.” 
The Israelites were scared to death—including three men from Bethlehem, Jesse’s eldest sons Eliab, Abinandab, and Shammah. 

“That monster isn’t even human. He’s a giant!” Eliab moaned. “No soldier could fight him,” Abinadab agreed.

“No army could fight him,” Shammah added. 

Meanwhile, their youngest brother, David, had stayed behind in Bethlehem to watch their father’s sheep. But after the brothers had been gone for more than a month, Jesse called for David.  
“Take bread and cheese and grain to your brothers in the camp,” Jesse told his youngest son. “See how they’re doing and come back to tell me.” 

“I’m on it, Dad!” David exclaimed. 

Early the next morning, David gathered up the food supplies and traveled quickly to the army camp. He arrived as the soldiers were taking battle positions on each side. He hurried along the Israelite line until he found his brothers. 

“Hey!” David called out. “Dad wants to know how it’s going. You guys done any fighting yet? Who’s winning?” 
The brothers glared at him. “Chill out, okay?” Eliab snapped.

Just then, Goliath stepped out as usual from the Philistine line and issued his twice-a-day challenge. “Hey, you pickled toads! I dare you to send a man to fight me!” 

David stared in amazement. “Who does this guy think he is, talking to God’s people like that?!” He turned for an answer, but all around, Israelite soldiers were fleeing in panic—including David’s brothers. 

David hurried to catch up with a few stragglers. “Goliath is putting God’s people to shame!” he shouted. “Who does he think he is? Someone’s got to stop this.” 

Eliab overheard David. “Why did you even come, you little pipsqueak?” he growled. “You just want to sit around and watch.” 

“What have I done now?” David asked. “Can’t I even say anything?”

King Saul heard about the things David was saying and sent for him. The king crossed his arms and studied the young shepherd. “So you think Goliath is putting us to shame?” he asked. “Don’t let anyone lose hope because of that Philistine,” David urged. “I’ll go out and fight him!” Saul couldn’t help laughing. “You?! You’re far too young.” 

“Watching sheep isn’t easy, Your Majesty,” David answered. “Sometimes a lion or bear tries to steal one away. I grab it by the hair and strike it down! God has helped me kill a lion and a bear—and with His help, I can take down this Philistine. God has saved me before, and He’ll save me again.”

King Saul was impressed. And frankly, he was just happy to have a volunteer. “Go,” he said at last. “And may the Lord be with you.” But after another look at David’s old tunic he added, “Here, take all my armor and weapons, too.” 

Saul tried to load David down with his own battle gear—heavy armor, a bronze helmet, and a sword like a weighty tree branch. David staggered around, trying to get used to the weight. “I can’t go out there like this!” he protested as he shrugged off the armor and dropped the sword. He picked up his own wooden staff, instead. Then, he hurried down to the stream and chose five smooth stones. 

David clutched his sling with sweaty hands and hurried out to the hillside where Goliath towered, mocking God’s people. The huge man laughed when he saw the young shepherd boy crossing the valley. “You think I’m only a dog?” he cackled. “Sticks and stones won’t break my bones! Come let me feed you to the wild animals!” 

As David drew closer, Goliath loomed taller, nearly blocking the sky. David took a deep breath and shouted out, “You are coming to fight against me with a sword, a spear and a javelin. But I’m coming against you in the name of the Lord who rules over all.... The Lord will give me victory over you. . . . Then the whole world will know there is a God in Israel. The battle belongs to the Lord!” 

Enraged, Goliath thundered down the hill to meet David—who sprinted forward. Reaching into his bag, David took out a stone and slipped it into his sling. Whipping the sling around, he fired off the stone. It hurled through the air, smacking right into Goliath’s forehead. 

The mighty hulk of a man staggered forward . . . swayed . . . and fell to the earth with a ground-shaking thud.  As soon as the Philistines saw their hero was dead, they turned and ran. Shouting, the Israelites raced forward. With renewed courage, they scattered the Philistines to utter defeat. 
​
David had helped God’s people win the battle—not with weapons or a huge army, but with God’s power and the unique gifts God had given him. ​

Journal Prompts

In your journal answer:
- Who is someone you admire?

​-What makes you want to be like them?

-What are the things that make you unique? 

Take time to write in your journal. Describe ways you find yourself trying to “fit in someone else’s armor”.

Comment below any thoughts or reflections