The story of a young shepherd boy named David defeating a giant named Goliath is one of the most famous stories in the Bible (1Sam. 17:1-50).
Most scholars believe David was only about 17 years old when he volunteered to fight that strong, cocky, heavily armed 9 foot 9 inch tall champion Philistine warrior.
David was offended when he overheard the boisterous Goliath cursing the God of Israel. He was shocked to learn that everyone in the Israeli army was afraid to fight him.
He told King Saul, “The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine” (v. 37).
Saul wanted David to use the king’s personal armor and weapons, but the brave youngster didn’t want them. He took his shepherd’s staff, picked up his sling, went to a brook, selected five smooth stones, put them in his shepherd’s bag, and went to the mountains of Israel near the valley of Elah to fight the blaspheming Philistine.
“And the Philistine said to David, ‘Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.’ Then said David to the Philistine, ‘Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands’” (vv. 44-47).
Goliath moved toward David, but the youngster from Bethlehem didn’t back up. He took out a smooth stone, put it in his sling and started swinging it in a circle over his head. He ran toward Goliath and released the stone toward his head.
Some authorities estimate that the stone struck Goliath with the force of a 45-caliber bullet. It sunk deep into his skull and the mighty man fell forward on his face.
David gathered Goliath’s weapons, beheaded him and stood upon his body. The other Philistines started running and they were killed by the Israeli army. Their bodies became food for the fowls of the air and the beasts of the field.
For thousands of years, people have known that there is a God in Israel. But He didn’t save Israel with a sword and spear. No! He used a young shepherd boy and a weapon that people call “David’s sling.”
Today, a new giant (Russia, Iran, Hezbollah and others) is gathering on the mountains of Israel near her border with Syria. Goliath was armed with a sword, a spear and a shield. This new giant is armed with rockets, missiles and a shield called the Russian air force.
Goliath blasphemed and denied the God of Israel and this new giant is blaspheming and denying the God of Israel.
Goliath faced a young boy and this new giant is facing a young nation.
When Goliath fought David the remainder of the Israeli army watched, but they didn’t help David. When this new giant fights Israel the other nations will watch, but not help Israel.
Goliath died on the mountains of Israel near Bethlehem and this new giant will die on the mountains of Israel near her border with Syria.
Goliath and his army became food for the birds and animals and this new giant will become food for the birds and animals.
Goliath’s sword was picked up by David and this new giant’s weapons will be picked up and burned by Israel.
God delivered Goliath into David’s hands so many people will know Him and God will defeat this new giant so many people will know Him.
Goliath’s defeat was a miracle and this new giant’s defeat will be a miracle.
On Dec. 25, 2015, the young nation of Israel tested a revolutionary new anti-missile air defense system. The test was wildly successful. One official described it as being on the verge of science fiction. It will shoot down the new giants low flying missiles (spears) and planes.
Two batteries of this new system can defend all of Israel, but Israel plans to build and deploy four batteries in the next four months.
The name of this new anti-missile air defense system is “David’s Sling.” It provides Israel with a third anti-missile system: Iron Dome to shoot down low-flying rockets; Arrow 3 to shoot down high-flying intercontinental missiles; and David’s sling to shoot down everything in between.
Israel doesn’t need these weapons to win wars. But God has provided them for such a time as this. He is helping Israel just as surely as He helped David.
The battle is the Lord’s. And Israel will be delivered by miracles from what will appear to be almost certain defeat just like David was delivered by a miracle from almost certain defeat.
Prophecy Plus Ministries
Daymond & Rachel Duck