'The Battle is the Lord's'

Walter J. Chantry

'David's comments to his brothers and their fellow-soldiers of Israel and then to Saul in 1 Samuel 17 were not rehearsed speeches. There was no composition of what ought to be said, no contemplation of what others would think of him. His words were an authentic expression of a genuine consciousness of the Almighty. They flowed from impressions of the unique grandeur of God which he had observed in creation. Their depth was taken from David's awareness of the nearness of his God in providence.

As David approached Goliath, making it plain that he had accepted the giant's challenge (1 Sam. 17:40), the young man's faith continued to perceive the reality and immanence of the Most High. The youth strode forward with unfaltering step, his mind poised with the assurance that he was on the Lord's side, and the Lord was by his side.

The giant moved toward David, agitated that a mere boy was sent to fight him. He had looked for a seasoned and decorated warrior in full garb of combat. Instead, a shepherd came to him with sticks, as if to chase away a dog. No words were too contemptuous for Goliath's use. He cursed David by his gods and threatened his swift demise.

In the Battle, God Gave David Fearlessness

At the lion-like roar of his foe, the son of Jesse was unshaken. He returned threat for threat. From David there was a difference. With no insult to his enemy's prowess, the youth cried, 'The LORD will hand you over to me . . . Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to birds and beasts . . . and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel . . . will know . . . that the battle is the LORD's'.

This said, the new champion of Israel went about the business-like slaying of a giant! A stone was hurled into the small, unprotected forehead; the foe's sword was seized for cutting off his head ˆ that everyone may know that the monster of Gath would never again harm anyone.

Many years later Jeremiah would warn, 'Let not . . . the strong man boast of his strength' (as did Goliath), 'but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD' (as did David). However, such boasting must not be in the form of words only, but also from heart-acquaintance.
Courage from the Lord cannot be sustained by bravado. It arises only with faith which is exercised in communion with the Maker of heaven and earth. A steady hand in the fight is the result of a steady gaze of faith.

In the Battle, God Gave David Trophies

Battlefields are not immaculate and antiseptic. David decapitated Goliath by Goliath's huge sword. As he held the bloody severed head aloft in triumph, the army of Philistia arose as one man in panicked retreat. The same gruesome prize of battle roused the army of Israel to chase the foe. Abner, the captain of the host under Saul, ushered David into the king's presence. As he returned to his king, the lad carried his souvenirs of combat, Goliath's head and Goliath's armour and sword.
For some reason David deposited the head at Jerusalem. The Philistine's equipment of war he took to his home. With these trophies he savoured his victory, but his triumph was in the Lord and from the Lord.

We live in a day in which multitudes believe that God's only interest in violent warfare is to express disapproval of it. Many suggest that the God of the Old Testament is discredited and that he has been replaced by a God of only love and peace in the New Testament. Such a view ignores the positive teaching of Romans 13:1ˆ7. There we are told that rulers, bearing the sword in just causes and in defence of the good, are God's agents of justice.

Many of those who are pacifists refuse to recognize the depths of evil in the hearts of those rogues who rule aggressive and oppressive states. Others, with the same devotion to non-aggression, are relativists who are angered to hear anyone label one cause 'evil' and another 'good'. The hand of divine providence is not withheld from any war. At times the design of neither combatant is accomplished, but a third design (in the secret will of God), is established. All warriors may be left with 'unintended consequences', to their way of thinking.
Warriors and those they protect should rejoice when the Lord grants victory in their just cause. It is consistent with humble dependence on God to celebrate battlefield triumphs.

David's momentary encounter with Goliath in the theatre of war became the beginning of a new period in his life. For this segment of his history, God gave David three gifts, which arrived in connection with the battle and continued until he rose to the throne in Israel.

In the Battle, God Gave David Friendship

One who was watching David's conquest that day was Jonathan. Only a short while before (1 Sam. 14), at Michmash, Jonathan had single-handedly routed the Philistine army. In that conflict he had fought with faith in the God of Israel, with zeal for his Name, yes, and with extraordinary courage, and he prevailed. At once, Jonathan recognized in the Bethlehemite the traits which he shared and which he so admired. That day the Lord knit the hearts of David and Jonathan together in a lifelong, godly, and manly love. Jonathan took the initiative to forge this friendship. He rejoiced in David's victory, though it captured the limelight which he had once held. David won the attention and affection of the people, which moved Jonathan to second place. Nevertheless, the displaced one took steps to make the man of higher reputation his friend. Romans 12:10 advises, 'Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.' If you would have friends, you must show yourself friendly (Prov. 18:24).

The crown prince of Israel made a covenant with the shepherd. He gave his clothing and weapons to David as symbols of his devoted comradeship. One day Jonathan would even express agreement with God's will that David should have the crown intended for him! It was a selfless, sacrificial, loyal love for David that would endure until death. Mutual fidelity was pledged that very day, and it proved to be a most satisfying fellowship to both men for a lifetime.

David's life experiences were about to be most trying for a lengthy period of time. As the trials began, God gave him the precious gift of a friend. A faithful friend is a strong defence in adversity, a soothing medicine when one is deeply wounded. Men need friends well-chosen from the number who love the Lord. It is clear that Jesus wants to see our love for him worked out in love for the brethren.

In the Battle, God Gave David Favour with Israel

As the men were returning home from the battle with the Philistines, women came out from all the towns of Israel, singing, playing instruments, and dancing. Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands!

This was their refrain.

David's heroics had captured the imagination and admiration of all Israel. His fame was instantaneously legendary. He was a celebrity! David declared, 'The battle is the LORD's.' He meant it. But the populace longed for a mortal man to trust. They were intoxicated with David and his exploits. He was the theme of their celebration.

King Saul could not ignore a figure so magnificently instrumental in the spectacular deliverance of his nation. He made David instantaneously an officer of high rank in his army. In every campaign to which he was assigned by Saul, David was wise and successful, because the Lord was with him. All his military missions pleased the populace so that his fame increased. He also pleased the officer corps. Ordinarily, these competitive officers had their jealousies. But God gave David favour with them all.

In the Battle, God Gave David the Malevolence of the King

Holding the hearts of the crown prince, the women and the army, David was being prepared to succeed Saul. The ruler of Israel knew that the Lord was with David and that the same Lord had left him. He was afraid of David for good reasons. His fear was agitated by the evil spirit from the Lord.

God's words and acts cannot be denied and opposed without dire consequences to those who hate what the Lord has established. Unbelievers rage against the Bible and against the order God has created on the earth. Those who know the truth of God but suppress that knowledge (Rom. 1:18ˆ20) will only injure themselves as they hurl themselves against the rock-firm realities which God has decreed and instituted.

Saul knew that God was angry with the ageing king and that God's favour was toward the young hero of Israel. However, his conscience could not endure admitting this. He turned all the power of his government against these truths of God, only to break his own bones, as he threw himself against God's truth. Time and again he was forced to admit what his conscience could not endure. This alternate admission and denial is the essence of mad instability.

When Saul heard the women sing of David's prowess being greater than his own, he remarked, 'There is only the kingdom more for him.' The greater the applause for David, the more Saul looked askance at him.

At the same instant that God raised David to eminence, the Almighty assigned a gnawing worm to eat at the inner life of David. He humbly and faithfully served king and nation. God's choice for the throne would not rise to that position of power as quickly as Israel's choice had done. Saul had risen like a rocket, but had also fallen as one.

In such a way, many years later, the Son of God would learn obedience through the things which he suffered before reigning at God's right hand. For David, sharp adversity would heighten trust in God, self-control, and prayerfulness. No sooner would he taste the sweetness of victory over the man from Gath than bitter herbs would reach his lips. The promise of the hand of the king's daughter would be withdrawn. There would come false accusation, separation from home and family as he was driven into the wilderness, and there was the treachery of threatened assassination.

Humiliation was David's path to the throne. What would the world's highest prominence and power do to a youth? Had he not discovered the remaining sin deep within the recesses of his heart before being crowned, would he too have made shipwreck of the faith? Does not humiliation sanctify us all? None of us welcomes humiliation. If it is God's instrument to preserve us and to mortify sin, we will one day thank him for even this gift. There will be, however, no excuse for Saul in having brought about the humiliation. The king clearly had no kind motive in his assaults on David.

Just before running toward Goliath, David announced that the battle was the Lord's. We see that demonstrated in the instantaneous death of a mighty warrior at the hands of an untrained youth. We see it in the rout of the Philistine army in one day. We see it in the sudden burst of exultation throughout Israel. It is so obvious that the Lord gave an unlikely victory in this battle.

For David, a much longer conflict began at once. This second was to be a series of confrontations attended by murky intrigue. For years it appeared that the battle was going against him. This time his enemy would not fall by David's courageous acts. The enemy would not even fall by David's hand. At its conclusion in David's favour, there would be tears, not celebration. Nevertheless, this battle too was the Lord's.
Some battles are sustained until those who fight them are weary unto death. Battles may bring to the victor many a wound with life-long consequences. Divine Providence supervised each phase of David's new conflict and ordained every injustice suffered. Warriors who do not feel any thrill in victory must humbly acknowledge, 'Whate'er my God ordains is right'. Still, the battle is the Lord's.

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