The force that Israel had to constantly contend within the book of Samuel was the
Philistines. They first appeared in 1 Samuel 4 wherein Aphek, the Philistines
came up against Israel. Remember how Israel lost that battle where Hophni and
Phinehas the two sons of Eli died, the ark of the covenant captured, and the
glory of Israel departed. Then throughout the book, we saw how they came against
Israel and how the Lord dramatically delivered them. In 1 Samuel 17:1, we
see the Philistines again. This painfully indicates that Saul had not
successfully dealt with them. This time they were gathered to fight Israel. The
opening verse of this chapter shows us that they had encroached in the
territory of Judah. Hence, they were still a threat to Israel and a force they
had to reckon with. In this battle against the Philistines, Saul and his men
were gathered in the Valley of Elah in battle array. The Philistines were on
one mountain and the Israelites on the other. They were facing each other with
the valley separating them.
In
verses 4-10 we are introduced to Goliath. He was a formidable enemy who hailed
from Gath, one of the five key cities of the Philistines. This Goliath was a
hunk of a man, “six cubits and a span.” This meant that he was approximately
nine feet and nine inches tall, a huge figure that could not be
missed. Verses 5-6 describe how he was armed. He was said to have “…a bronze helmet on his head, and
he was clothed with scale-armour which weighed five thousand shekels of
bronze. He also had bronze greaves on his legs and a bronze
javelin slung between his shoulders.” On top of that, he also carried a huge and heavy
spear. Besides, he had a shield that was so big that he needed a
shield-bearer to carry it for him. Goliath was a colossal, massive, menacing one-man
machine! Whoever was selected by the Israelites to challenge him would
have to face him. As if this was not frightening enough, he also had a
booming voice which he kept bellowing out a threat to Israel, daring someone to
come and face him. It was a crisis moment for Israel in the Valley of Elah.
Today,
some of us may also be facing our valley
of Elah’s moment? Are there threats in our lives that look so insurmountable, much
like Goliath? Peter tells us that our enemy like a roaring lion prowls around constantly
seeking to devour us. This menacing enemy can also cause dismay and distress
and great fear like what Saul and the people of Israel experienced. Hebrews
2:14-15 tell us a piece of good news. These two verses tell us that our Lord Jesus
became man so that “…through death He might render powerless him who had
the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who
through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.” There
is no “Goliath” too big that God cannot help us to deal with, the fear that it
is bringing to us. Take courage! In Christ, we can live a fear-free life!
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