1 Samuel 17:41-54
Once again the Philistine comes out from the ranks with his challenge. But who is this going out to meet him? Is this the champion Israel is setting against him – a very young man with ridiculous weapons: a staff and a shepherd’s sling? Is this a joke? He eyes this miserable adversary from head to foot, not worthy of measuring himself against him and insults him contemptuously! But David is unmoved; he is to write later: "The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalms 27:1). The stone is thrown with a sure hand; it penetrates the giant’s forehead and he collapses. David runs over immediately and cuts off Goliath’s head with his own sword. Then what cries of victory issue from the camp of Israel and what confusion and rout there is in the Philistine camp. It is a memorable scene, illustrating the power of faith, this faith which enables the believer to obtain similar victories on his knees. But we know that it has an infinitely greater meaning. David, a type of Christ, has triumphed over Goliath, a figure of Satan. Through death, Jesus destroyed him that had the power of death, that is the devil. It is the victory of the cross, the greatest and inexhaustible subject of eternal praise.