'David and Saul'

Walter J. Chantry

Walter J. Chantry
'We meet the phrase throughout Western literature-'David and Goliath'! It looks backward to the battlefield of two ancient combatants. So the phrase attaches itself to any conflict in which the little fellow beats the foe of enormous strength. Yet in Scripture the historic event might well be called 'David and Saul'. 1 Samuel 16:13,14 has told us, 'The Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward... but the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul.' In the Valley of Elah, the significance of the Holy Spirit shines brightly through the contrast between David and Saul.

Neither man came to the Valley of Elah by a personal decision, or in following a subjective impulse given by God's Spirit. Philistines, warlike inhabitants of Palestine's seacoast, marched a great army into Judah. There were perpetual invasions by them. Saul, with all his dark moods of irrational rage and depressions of regret, must summon his troops and face the irritating challenge. He was responsible for leading his army in defense of Israel. Will the Philistines never cease their hostilities? David, with three brothers enlisted among Saul's conscripts, was sent by his father to bear gifts to his soldier-sons and to bring back word of their well-being. Fathers of every era are anxious about their sons at war. A family messenger was preferred above a letter.

David had ministered to demon-troubled Saul with music, but a bitter enmity toward David was now in the heart of Saul. Therefore, David had returned to shepherd duties in Jesse's household at Bethlehem. Now the two were to meet again. Saul approached the scene with reluctant necessity. David arrived in obedience to his father's will. Above them both was a divine providence placing David and Saul in counterpose. God is showing us a man filled with the Spirit in bold relief against a man absent the Spirit. Especially evident are the consequences for leadership in each case.

As David gave his brothers messages and gifts from home, and as he took information to be carried back to the homestead, the voice of a bellicose Philistine soldier pierced the air. A gigantic warrior, more than nine feet tall, a mountain of a man, carrying huge sword and spear, was challenging any Israeli soldier to a personal duel, to one-on-one combat. Each would represent his entire army. The fate of the two armies would rest on this fight.

In the giant's speech was a tone of self-confident boasting, a note of mocking his foes, and a defiant blasphemy of their God. Philistia had a champion! A scornful ultimatum rang through the camp of Israel. Who will dare to face this Hercules?
David noted the demoralized response of Saul's army. 'They were all dismayed and greatly afraid'. 'All the men of Israel fled from him and were dreadfully afraid'. For forty days Goliath cried out with insolence, with contempt for the Jewish army.
Meanwhile, the warrior-king of Israel stayed in his tent. He had no stomach for the battle. He made fainthearted attempts to bribe someone in his ranks to accept the challenge. At first there was the offer of silver and gold. To this was added his daughter's hand in marriage. Then perpetual exemption from taxation was promised. The man, whom the Spirit of God had left, hoped to find a way of escape without personal commitment or risk of blood. His timidity insinuated itself through all the forces under his command.

1. God's Spirit Incites Zeal

David began to be agitated with the rising heat of zeal in his breast as he listened to the repeated insults of Goliath. Of his brothers and their fellow legionnaires the youngest son of Jesse began to ask, 'Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?' He was stirred to the depths with concern for the glory of God. A mere creature defies the living God, while those who claim to fight in the cause of the Almighty are craven with fear! The honor of the Lord of

Hosts must be vindicated! The hot lava of zeal is erupting in his soul.
The man upon whom the Spirit has come is younger than everyone else at the Valley of Elah. Age and experience are not the issue. Clear vision of the unassailable grandeur of the Lord, brought into focus by the operations of the Holy Spirit, is the crux of the matter. Does it not rouse you likewise, in our age, to hear blasphemies from fellow-workers and in college dormitories? Does no heat rise within you as you listen to atheistic professors defying the living God? Attacks on truth and righteousness, yes, more than that, on the Lord, are all around you! Young men, will you not take up the sword of the Spirit against God's enemies? Others, with miserable cowardice, hide in the bushes. Old men, grown cautious, hold back. Surely the Spirit will compel someone to volunteer, 'Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine'! 'It is good to be zealous in a good thing' (Gal. 4:18). Many a man has his finest hour in his youth.

Saul had been drained of all enthusiasm to fight the Lord's battles. He has disobeyed the Lord repeatedly. There remains for him no assurance that the Lord goes with him. In Saul and David is fulfilled the proverb, 'The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion' (Prov. 28:1). Sin makes men into cowards. Obedience builds courage.

2. God's Spirit Incites Faith

For such a long time, Saul had been looking for someone to be the defender of Israel's cause against the giant. Therefore, David's words of indignation at the insults of the monster from Gath were reported to the king. As David repeated to Saul his offer to fight Goliath, the dispirited ruler expressed his doubts: 'You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth'

David had no resumé of experience to recommend him. He did not look the part of a warrior. The Philistine was every inch a man of war in appearance and in record of past victories. Saul's personal fears attached themselves to the young shepherd offering himself to fight. All was based on human logic and measurements of size and of history in past military encounters.

The young man filled with the Spirit had his confidence not in personal prowess but in what the Almighty would do to aid him. He did have a resumé of experience in receiving help from Heaven. As a shepherd he had faced a lion. The beast of prey had seized a lamb of his father's flock for whose safety he was responsible. By faith in his God, he had seized the lion by its beard and clubbed it to death. On another occasion his victorious combat with a bear had been similar. 'The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.' His undoubting reliance was upon a proven Lord. It was the unanswerable syllogism of faith.

3. God's Spirit Incites Wisdom

Far from being unbridled passion or unreasonable emotion, David's zealous faith was marked by admirable self-control. When David first openly expressed his annoyance at the gall of a heathen to insult the God of Israel, Eliab, his eldest brother, angrily berated him. No doubt Eliab felt the sting of David's courage as a contrast to his own cowardice in the situation.

David would not be drawn into conflict with his brother, even though his character and motives had been assaulted. His indignation was against the enemy of God's people, not against a brother, however mistaken. Absorbing the insults, he modestly responded, 'What have I done, then? It was only a word'. How often do our hearts enter upon a mission for God against his enemies, only to expend our emotional capital against carping brothers and sisters. The Spirit of wisdom restrained David from this error.

As David spoke with Saul, it must have been evident by facial expression and tone of voice that the general of the Lord's host was cringing as much as were his untested recruits. Yet, David speaks humbly of himself as Saul's servant. He addresses his king in reassuring terms.

Here is insight into David's wisdom which came from above. He had observed Saul under the dominion of an evil spirit as much as anyone had. Now he observed his deteriorating character which made him unable to take the initiative demanded by his office. Young men are apt, because of fallen human nature, to mock authorities with such obvious flaws. God's wisdom advises, 'My son, fear the Lord and the king'. (Prov. 24:21) David honors his king.

How often Saul had relied on human strategies in disregard of the commands of the Lord! Again the sovereign of Israel thinks only of providing David with the armaments of great warriors. In submission the lad attempts to wear the armor provided by his acknowledged leader. But the youth recognizes what the aging king does not see. It is unavailing to wear what he finds restrictive or to fight with weapons he does not know how to wield.

The volunteer for the duel with Goliath prefers the staff, the sling and the shepherd's pouch. His wisdom far surpasses that of the experienced soldier. Proven weapons and commonplace tactics in facing enemies are to be preferred to cumbersome defenses and unfamiliar ways. The simplicity of wisdom from the Spirit of God is refreshing. In David it is humbly expressed. How is it that some tell us the saints did not possess the Spirit in the Old Testament era? It is true that they did not possess the fullness of His revelation objectively given, nor did they have the fullness of the Spirit's inward operations upon the least in the kingdom of God, as would be given in the New Covenant. Yet, as we observe David's zeal for the glory of the living God, his stellar faith in the Almighty, and his wisdom beyond human years, who would not stand amazed at the heights to which the Holy Spirit carried him? And, as we read and ponder the psalms, which of us do not yearn to draw near to David's inward levels of spiritual exercise?

The same Holy Spirit who was operative at the creation is operative in the work of new creation before Christ came. Exploits of the saints before our Lord's coming can be explained in no other way than, 'The Spirit of the Lord came upon' them. Let us not make a folk-hero or a super-human figure of David. He is another of the saints of Hebrews 11. The Spirit of the Lord was with them all.

As David left Saul's tent, the youth, soon to be the new hero of Israel, had his eye confidently fixed upon his God. The once popular leader of God's people had lost God's Spirit, God's favor, God's prophet, and God's word for his guidance. With these losses came the loss of courage, joy, peace, and sound mind. It is a stunning contrast.

Rather, let us crave in our lives the presence of the Holy Spirit, producing the same qualities to be found in David. Let us ask the Father for the Holy Spirit daily. Let us beware of quenching the Spirit, of grieving away the Spirit, of sinning against the Holy Spirit. Saul stands as a monument of warning. Jesus once said with eloquent brevity, 'Remember Lot's wife'! It would be well to say, 'Remember Saul'! The Spirit of the Lord departed from him. That too is a reality. Others since his day have shared his experience. Sensitively welcome the Spirit as the holy Guest he is. Fall in step with the Spirit.

Back to Top