Battle Ready

                                                       1 Samuel 17

Introduction: There are at least 50 Bible where the word ‘battle’ & ‘lord’ are found.

I am going to use Goliath as a type of sort of our enemy, Satan or the devil.

Satan – ‘accuser’ or ‘adversary’ derived from a verb meaning primarily ‘to obstruct, oppose.’

Devil – diabolos = ‘slanderer’ ‘attacker’ literally ‘to throw across’

Lucifer – ‘shining one, light-bearer’

The many ways the bible calls or refers to the Devil:

Abaddon = destroyer; Accuser, Adversary, Angel of Light, Angel of the bottomless pit, Apollyon – Greek for destroyer, Beast, Beelzebub = ruler of demons, Belial, deceiver, devil, dragon, enemy, evil one, father of lies, kind of the bottomless pit, lawless one, leviathan, liar, murderer, ruler of this world, ruler of the darkness, serpent of old, son of perdition, fallen star, tempter, thief, wicked one.

What can we take from the David 7 & Goliath narrative about the battle and our opponent?

Transition: Let’s talk about our opponent first: You and I need to understand at least 3 things about our opponent;

David Faced a Significant Opponent

1. David Faced A Fixed Opponent

In other words, ‘our enemy is Always Present.

Comes to kill, steal, destroy

The Philistine was already fixed, as he had been daily for the last forty days.

2. Always Armed / (armored)

Well might he go with his armor, for he had sufficiently proved it. Only we are told (v. 41) that he came on and drew near a signal, it is likely, being given that his challenge was accepted, and, as if he distrusted his helmet and coat of mail, a man went before him, carrying his shield, for his own hands were full with his sword and spear, v. 45

Application: Our enemy, the devil, is always armed with something against us. Accusations, proofs of rebellion/disobedience, reminders of broken promises, etc.

Job 1:6, ‘One day the members of the heavenly court¹ came to present themselves before the LORD, and the Accuser, Satan,² came with them’. (NLT)

Rev. 12:10, ‘Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last — salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ.¹ For the accuser of our brothers and sisters² has been thrown down to earth — the one who accuses them before our God day and night.’ (NLT)

3. Always Threatening

There was a conference of sorts before the encounter: in which observe,

• How very proud Goliath was, (1.)
• With what scorn he looked upon his adversary, v. 42.

Of Interest/Significance:

• Goliath looked about, expecting to meet some tall strong man, but, when he saw what a mean figure he made with whom he was to engage, he disdained him, thought it below him to enter the lists with him, fearing that the contemptibleness of the champion he contended with would lessen the glory of his victory.

• He took notice of David’s person, that he was but a youth, not come to his strength, ruddy and of a fair countenance, fitter to accompany the virgins of Israel in their dances (if mixed dancing was then in use) than to lead on the men of Israel in their battles.

• He took notice of his array with great indignation (v. 43): “Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? Dost thou think to beat me as easily as thou dost thy shepherd’s dog?” (2.)

With what confidence he presumed upon his success. He cursed David by his gods, imprecating the impotent vengeance of his idols against him, thinking these fire-balls thrown about him would secure his success: and therefore,

in the confidence of that, he darts his grimaces, as if threatening words would kill (v. 44): “Come to me, and I will give thy flesh to the fowls of the air, it will be a tender and delicate feast for them.” Thus the security and presumption of fools destroy them.

Transition: So, we definitely have an Opponent, but I want you to remind you that we also have a proponent!

What David Knew – David Knew / Had a Greater Source

1. (David) Already Seasoned / Prepared

A proponent means someone who is in favor of something!

• The Lord our God is our proponent!
• He is in our favor!
• He proposes that we can & will make it!
• He will fight on our behalf!

But what arms and ammunition is David furnished with? Truly none but what he brought with him as a shepherd; no breastplate, nor corselet, but his plain shepherd’s coat; no spear, but his staff; no sword nor bow, but his sling; no quiver, but his scrip; nor any arrows, but, instead of them, five smooth stones picked up out of the brook, v. 40. By this it appeared that his confidence was purely in the power of God, and not in any sufficiency of his own, and that now at length he who put it into his heart to fight the Philistine put it into his head with what weapons to do it.

2. (David) Already Committed

How very committed / Invested David was. His speech savors nothing of ostentation, but God is all in all in it, v. 45-47.

• He derives his authority from God: “I come to thee by warrant and commission from heaven, in the name of the Lord, who has called me to and anointed me for this undertaking, who, by his universal providence, is the Lord of hosts, of all hosts, and therefore has power to do what he pleases, and, by the special grace of his covenant, is the God of the armies of Israel, and therefore has engaged and will employ his power for their protection, and against thee who hast impiously defied them.”
  
  
• The name of God David relied on, as Goliath did on his sword and spear. See Ps. 20:7; 118:10, 11. (2.) He depends for success upon God, v. 46.

3. (David) Already Confident

David speaks with as much assurance as Goliath had done, but upon the better ground; it is his faith that says, “This day will the Lord deliver thee into my hand, and not only thy carcase, but the carcases of the host of the Philistines, shall be given to the birds and beasts of prey.” (3.) He devotes the praise and glory of all to God. He did not, like Goliath, seek his own honour, but the honour of God, not doubting but by the success of this action, {1.} All the world should be made to know that there is a God, and that the God of Israel is the one only living and true God, and all other pretended deities are vanity and a lie. {2.} All Israel (whom he calls not this army, but this assembly, or church, because they were now religiously attending the goings of their God and King, as they used to do in the sanctuary) shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear (v. 47), but can, when he pleases, save without either and against both, Ps. 46:9. David addresses himself to this combat rather as a priest that was going to offer a sacrifice to the justice of God than as a soldier that was going to engage an enemy of his country.

Conclusion: When it comes to our battles…we need to know a few things.

We have a fierce, intimidating opponent.

But, we have a stronger, more trustworthy and powerful proponent.