Joel M Bradshaw

Here are ten things I am thankful for in the world-famous Goliath story. They will flow from the order of the text of 1 Samuel 17.

1. I am thankful for the either/or nature of the situation. It’s either going to end one way or another. Same with our prayers to God.

3And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them.

4And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. 5He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. 6And he had bronze armor on his legs, and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders. 7The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron. And his shield-bearer went before him.

2. I am thankful for how impossible this situation seemed. Watch that cave troll battle in the Lord of the Rings movie. This would have been even more daunting.

10And the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man, that we may fight together.” 11When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.

3. I am thankful that the Israelites were emotionally reacting to their situation. It makes this story so relatable.

26And David said to the men who stood by him, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

4. I am thankful that right away David analyzed the situation not just politically, but theologically. It’s as if David knew the true stakes.

28Now Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men.

5. I am thankful it was Eliab that talked trash to David. Eliab was the physically-impressive brother that Samuel thought God would anoint. This battle wasn’t going to be about physical things.

37And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

6. I am thankful that David looked at his troubles in view of God’s historical faithfulness. What an example he is to us!

38Then Saul clothed David with his armor.

7. I am thankful that Saul hid in his tent. Saul, remember, was the tallest Israelite. This would be like a professional basketball team sending out fifth graders to play. Tall Saul should have faced tall Goliath!

43And the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

8. I am thankful that Goliath also made the matter a theological one. He also saw the fight between both mortal and divine.

46This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 47and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hand.”

9. I am thankful that David saw God once again at work. The goal of the fight was that all may theologically know. Both Israelite and Philistine.

57And as soon as David returned from the striking down of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand.

10. I am thankful that David carried around Goliath’s head. What a reminder of God’s faithfulness in that situation. What a reminder of Saul’s trembling fear.

Look at your impossible situation through the lens of God’s faithfulness. He handles his business. He is both God and good. Pharaoh and Egypt once learned the same theological reality that Goliath and the Philistines did. There is no God like Yahweh. He alone provides and saves like he does. You either are responding trust or you are not. He gives us much to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!–JMB