The Sword of Goliath
Please notice a very fascinating passage of Scripture:
“And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? For I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s business required haste. And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me” (1 Samuel 21:8,9).
I have never heard a sermon on this subject and at best, only a passing word. This is a most intriguing thought, the sword of Goliath. Two of the six times Goliath’s name is even mentioned in the Bible his sword is spoken of.
In the narrative from First Samuel 17 we discover that David first uses it to decapitate the giant’s head. “Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled” (I Samuel 17:51).
It appears after the slaughter of Goliath that the city of Nob, which was the city of the Lord’s priests, placed it into safekeeping. David, fleeing from the wrath of King Saul ventures upon the city. The Lord Jesus applauds in the New Testament the kind deed of Ahimelech and the priests in taking care of David and his men (Matthew 12:3,4).
Ahimelech provided David’s men the shewbread, and for unarmed David he provided the sword of Goliath. For the kindness shown to David, Ahimelech and his city were wiped out by Saul in a dastardly deed. Much could be said about this whole story, but I want you to think with me about the significance of David obtaining the sword of Goliath.
I. The sword is a reminder that the good accomplished is not forgotten.
Have you ever felt like you’ve done right and not been appreciated for it? David killed the greatest threat against Israel. They began to sing, “Saul has slain his thousands, David his ten thousands.” Saul becomes insanely jealous and begins to look for opportunities to do away with David and his influence in Israel. Our hero ends up hiding out in caves with his family living like refugees. You can imagine the “sweet Psalmist of Israel” lamenting, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).
As David takes the sword of Goliath, I see a smile grace his face and he is blessed to remember the great victory in the Valley of Elah. He also smiles because he knows that Abimelech remembered and appreciated his earlier victory, otherwise he would not have considered David worthy to take the sword. Praise fills David’s heart as he is reminded that above all, God remembered the good that was done. It’s good to know that God keeps very good records!
II. The sword is a witness that God is there when we need him.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1.
David is on the run, his life is in danger, and he has no defense. What a great witness when Ahimelech pulls out Goliath’s sword! God has seen the affliction of David is more than ready to supply a defense for him. “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower” (Psalm 18:2).
III. The sword is a statement that God is greater than our opposition.
This is a scary world out there, with a big scary Devil running much, if not most of the activity! It is natural at times to feel quite intimidated. Let me remind you, however, that intimidation is a feeling, but not a reality. If anything, the satanic forces should feel intimidation from God’s servants. I am not basing this belief on positive thinking; I’m basing it on fact.
The Word of God says, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (I John 4:4).
The very sword that threatened all of Israel when in the hand of Goliath, will not protect Israel and her future in the hand of David! I love the way God can turn the tables around. The Bible says in I Corinthians 2:7,8: “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the prices of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
Had the princes of this world known what was happening on the cross, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory. God took the hammer of hate and the nail of judgment and pounded out our spiritual emancipation.
Some time ago I played a national chess master. There was a moment in the game that I actually believed I was getting the best of my opponent. He was only leading me on. He allowed me just enough rope to hang myself. By the same token, God is in control. Do not be deceived by today’s score; we haven’t entered the “finals” yet, “…yea, let God be true, but every man a liar… ” (Romans 3:4).
As long as Goliath’s sword existed, it was ever a reminder that our God is greater than our opposition. Praise His name!
- Pastor Pope -