understanding the covenant
“David asked the men standing around him, ‘…Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, who will defy the army of the living God?'” -1 Samuel 17:26
Most of us are probably familiar with the incredible story of David and Goliath. But, we may not be familiar with why David could be so bold in daring to defeat the giant Philistine Goliath.
David was the youngest of 8 sons, and was probably about 17 years old when the Israelites were fighting the Philistines. From time to time he went back and forth to bring food for his brothers who were part of the Israelite army. Once, David heard the giant Goliath from the Philistine camp shouting at the Israelites and challenging them. He was doing this for 40 days. All the people of Israel were afraid of him because he was so big. So far no one had the courage to challenge him, and when the Israelites saw him, “they all fled in great fear.” (1 Samuel 17:24)
But David had a different perspective. Presumably he had run out of options by this time, King Saul gave David a chance at Goliath.
“David said to the Philistine, ‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will kill you and cut off your head. This day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and wild animals, and all the world will know that there is a God. Israel” (v.45-46). And so, David used a stone in a slingshot and killed him.
The story of David and Goliath is often taught in the context of having courage in God. But, it was because David understood God’s covenant with the Israelites that he knew he could defeat them. A covenant is a promise that can only be broken by death. In David’s time, covenants were a very serious matter. No one breaks the contract, even if the other party did not meet their bargaining goal. So David knew he could trust his God!
Have you recognized the power in God’s covenant with His sons and daughters? May it be a reminder and encouragement that we can overcome anything that comes our way, because we are sons and daughters of the living God.
