Introduction
The story of David and Goliath is the story of the battle between good and evil. Goliath is the abomination, who profanes the name of God, while David, the saint of God, defends God's honour. Both David and Goliath are zealous to the extreme, that is, unto death. Goliath's zeal to profane the name of God is just as great as David’s zeal to defend the God of Israel.
As with all battles between good and evil, this battle is unto death. Either you destroy the evil or it will destroy you. This theme appears repeatedly in scripture.
David is one of the greatest typologies of Christ. The story of David is about a shepherd boy, despised by his brethren who is trying to save Israel at a time of dire physical suffering and spiritual apostasy. These circumstances alone should make us search for deeper meanings in the stories of David and Goliath and Jesus and Satan. For example, Goliath's death by a fatal wound in the head
(1 Sam.17:49) can be compared to Revelation 13:3:
And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
Let us look back to Gen.3:15, again connecting David and the stone with the seed of the woman (Christ), and equating Goliath with the seed of the serpent. Some etymologists believe "Philistine" means 'one who rolls in the dust, i.e., a serpent. Significantly, Goliath is described several times as "the Philistine".
Furthermore, the number six (6), being the number of the flesh, is significant in Goliath’s life because:
1. his height was six cubits and a span...
2. his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels
3. and he had six pieces of armour
Thus 666;
Is it not possible that "the man of sin" in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 refers back to Goliath as his prototype?
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition”.
Goliath represented the seed of the serpent (i.e. the biblical devil). He needed a man to fight him. The men of Israel cowered in fear, wishing they could have the necessary strength and courage, but they helplessly looked to one another as the invincible giant made his boasts. How to overcome Goliath, and the evil intent of the man against God's people, was all the soldiers spoke about. “Have you seen this man that is come up? Surely to defy Israel is he come up”. They also discussed the reward being offered. "It shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will give him great riches, and make his father's house tax-free in Israel" - and give his daughter. But "all the men of Israel, when they saw Goliath, fled from him, and were sore afraid".
Saul listened to Goliath defy his God 80 times!! On the other hand, David could only stand to hear Goliath’s defiance once, because he was so zealous of God’s name. Are we zealous for the Lord, or are we cowards like Saul? There seems to be a similarity here with men and angels weeping because no man was found worthy to look upon the book of life (Rev.5:3-5) until our Lord prevailed on the cross.
I am whetting your appetite for the eighteen similarities.
David was raised up by God to defy and kill Goliath. 'Golgotha’ means 'the place of the skull; and may well be the place near Jerusalem where David buried Goliath's skull. The word, "ephes-dammim", means 'border of blood'. It suggests 'Aceldama', the "field of blood". Jesus, likewise, was raised up to destroy the works of the devil.
1 John 3:8b
For this purpose, the son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
In 1 Samuel 17:8-9 Goliath proposed that an Israelite champion come out and fight as a representative of the entire army. This is an important point because we know that Jesus Christ’s victory was done representatively (not substitutionally) on behalf of all God’s sons and daughters.
The nation that lost the battle would voluntarily become servants of the other. In other words, submission to the Philistines would have been a voluntary submission to the power of sin. To set the scene for our discussion about the eighteen similarities between David and Goliath and Jesus and Satan we will review seven things about David.
The Eighteen Similarities between David & Goliath and Jesus & Satan
Acts 13:36-37
36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
37 But he, whom God raised again, (Jesus) saw no corruption.
The First of three similarities
1st, 2nd, 3rd
The First Similarity
There was a valley between Israel and Goliath; and there was a valley between us and God, but Jesus bridged the gap by defeating Satan, while David bridged the gap by defeating Goliath.
David’s name means beloved.
And Jesus is also called God’s beloved.
Mark 1:11
There came a voice from heaven saying thou art my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.
1samuel 17: 2-3
And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side and there was a valley between them.
There was a valley between Israel and Goliath. And the bible says there is a gulf for those that do not accept Jesus Christ. Our sins created this invisible valley between us and God. Goliath had been screaming for 40 days and nights. Satan had been screaming for 4000 years, “Send me a man”. Before Christ came and died for us there was a invisible valley between us and God. But Jesus made peace between us and God.
And that word peace means he rejoins or reconciles us to God, but if we refuse Jesus, then this separation becomes a gulf - and it becomes permanent if we die without Christ
Let us read it in Luke 16:26:
And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
David feeds his father’s sheep in Bethlehem. Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
Luke 2:8-11
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And lo, the angel of the lord came upon them, and the glory of the lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a saviour, which is Christ the lord.
Remember God revealed to shepherds where his son would be born. God loves speaking to shepherds.
John 7:42 says :
Hath not the scripture said: that Christ cometh of the seed of David, out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was.
The Second Similarity
David arrives on the battlefront as a servant and brings bread to Israel’s army.
1Samuel 17:17
And Jessie said unto David his son, take now for your brethren an Ephah of this parched grain, and these ten loaves and run (please take note of the word run) to the camp to your brethren.
Jesus also arrives on earth’s battlefront as a servant and brings the bread of life to the entire world. Wow!
Philippians 2:7
But made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of man.
Always approach spiritual warfare or any battle you are going through with a servant’s heart. Never approach spiritual warfare with a rebellious attitude or a proud spirit.
David approached and challenged Goliath with a shepherd’s staff, a shepherd’s bag, and a shepherd’s heart. Listen to what he says to King Saul.
"And David said to Saul, let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine" (1 Samuel 17:32).
You will see in similarity number six that David runs four times in one chapter. That speaks volumes on how urgent and enthusiastic David was to get the job done. Let me give you a modern day example.
I worked as a coded welder for many years. There were many good welders in the field, but not many x-ray coded welders. These welders were efficient, fast and could weld in awkward positions in the fastest time possible. Some time back, I was working for a massive Durban company. On one occasion, the company foreman woke me up at three in the morning. The company had a major problem. To solve the problem, an ex-ray coded welder was urgently needed. The company was on track to pay a million rand a day in penalties if it did not complete its contract at by 7 that morning. They had three hours left to finish about 40 inches of welding. The average welder, welded 30 inches of welding a day. They needed a welder to do 40 inches of welding in 3 hours. They asked me to name my price and they would pay it with a smile. You see they needed the job to be done by someone with all the above qualities. The enthusiasm with which someone tackles a task speaks volumes to the on-looker; and likewise, the right attitude. David could not wait to get the job done. I have found that problem solvers are the people who get paid the most in this world.
As he was about to go to the cross, Jesus said, "Let not your heart be troubled" (Jn.14:1). Those words brought peace to his disciples’ hearts.
David was about to fight Goliath. His words brought peace to King Saul’s heart.
David refers to his testimony of delivering sheep out of the mouth of the lion and the bear. That is the CV of a Shepherd boy! Let no man’s heart fail him, thy servant! Wow!wow!
The Third Similarity
Goliath tempted Israel for 40 days, while Satan also tempted Jesus for 40 days.
In 1 Samuel 17:8-9 Goliath proposed that an Israelite champion come out and fight as a representative of the entire army. This is an important point because we know Jesus Christ’s victory was done representatively (not substitutionally) on behalf of the entire world.
1 Samuel 17:16
And the Philistine drew near morning and evening and presented himself forty days.
Here we see Goliath tormenting Israel 40 days and nights.
And the bible says in Luke 4:2:
Jesus being forty days tempted of the devil.
Here we see Satan tempting Jesus for 40 days. Goliath is challenging David for the souls of Israel; while Satan is challenging Jesus for the souls of mankind. David defeats Goliath, and Jesus defeats Satan.
It is also worthy of note that the battle is taking place in Judah.
1 Samuel 17:1
Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh which belonged to Judah.
David, who was about to fight Goliath, was also a Bethlehemite from Judah.
In Revelation 5:5
And one of the elders saith unto me, weep not, behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David hath prevailed.
Here we see the greater David who is Jesus, (a Bethlehemite from Judah) who destroyed the works of Satan, worthy to loose the seven seals.
The bible says Goliath came from Gath (meaning wine press). Jesus also faced his wine press in Gethsemane when his sweat became drops of blood for the souls of mankind.
Goliath tempted Israel for 40 days, and Satan also tempted Jesus for 40 days.
1 Samuel 17:16
And the Philistine drew near morning and evening and presented himself forty days.
Chapter 2
The Second of Three Similarities
4th, 5th, 6th
The Fourth Similarity
Jessie looks for someone to send.
1 Samuel 17:17
And Jessie said unto David his son: take now for your brethren an Ephah of parched grain, and these ten loaves and run to the camp to your brethren.
God looks for someone to send.
Isaiah 6:8
Also, I heard the voice of the Lord [God] saying, whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said he, here am I, send me (Jesus).
Israel was glad when David came.
We were glad when Jesus came.
David’s occupation is a shepherd, and he is feeding sheep in Bethlehem, his hometown. David knew firsthand the duty of a shepherd; he faced the lion and the bear to protect his father’s sheep. He reasoned that god was his protector. Just as David had placed his life between the beast and the sheep, Jesus Christ placed His life between Satan and you. Jesus will also deal with the anti-Christ and Satan himself.
Jesus too was born in Bethlehem. Let us review his occupation as Chief Shepherd.
1Peter 5:4
And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Many years later, another Shepherd (Chief) would be born in Bethlehem and emerge as the greatest King! (Luke 2:11). The “good shepherd” lays down his life for the sheep (John 10). He too would be scorned and rejected by his
brothers, as David was (John 1:11; Is. 53:3). The Lord Jesus faced another “serpent” who was defying his God for 40 days (Luke 4:1-13). Just as Goliath defied the children of Israel, Satan was defying the Father in Jesus for the souls of mankind. Jesus entered the valley of death on behalf of the entire world and won a great victory! David also entered the valley of Elah on behalf of the entire nation of Israel.
1 Corinthians 15:54-57
54 so when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, death is swallowed up in victory.
55 o death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 the sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 but thanks be to god, which giveth us the victory through our lord Jesus Christ
In the book of Genesis, Joseph instructed his brothers, “When Pharaoh questions you about your occupation, tell him you are shepherds”: Satan will always tempt you to try to add to your CV. Let me explain. Saul said to David, “take my armour add this to your CV”, but David makes a powerful statement. “Oh king, I haven’t proved these”. All that is on David’s CV is “Shepherd Boy” and that is all he needed to bring down Goliath, amen. Pastors, our job is to meet our Goliaths as pastors (shepherds). You need nothing else.
Micah 5:5
When the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, God will raise seven shepherds against him!!!
The Fifth Similarity
I Samuel 17:40
And he David took his staff in his hand and choose five stones, and he drew near to the Philistine [Goliath].
In Sunday school, we were taught that the five stones stood for the name of Jesus. Others say Goliath had four other brothers. No human being could take on Satan - only Jesus. No one in Israel could take on Goliath - only David.
David was born to take on Goliath. Jesus was born to take on Satan.
The bible says in 1John 3:8b:
For this purpose, the son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil.
1 Peter 2:5-6
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, behold I lay in Sion a Chief Corner Stone (singular).
David needed one stone. God needed one stone, (Jesus) elect, precious; and he that believeth on him should not be confounded.
David needed one stone to kill Goliath.
God needed one stone; the Chief Corner Stone (Jesus) to destroy Satan and disarm him.
When David went down to the valley of Elah it was as if all Israel went with David. Their dreams, hopes, and aspirations went with David. When Christ came to earth, all of heaven and earth’s hopes dream and aspirations were on him. The bible says we were, of men, most miserable if Jesus did not defeat Satan. And Israel too, was going to be most miserable if David did not defeat Goliath.
1Corinthians15:19
If, in this life only, we have hope in Christ we are of all men most miserable.
Jesus also uses five stones in this present day life.
He uses the fivefold ministry.
Ephesians 4:11-13
11 And he gave some,
apostles; and some
prophets; and some
evangelists; and some
pastors;
and teachers;
12 for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Jesus continues to use the fivefold ministry to destroy the work of Satan on earth, amen!
The Sixth Similarity
David runs four times.
Jesus eagerly faces the cross to get the job done!!
No. 1
1 Samuel 17:17
And run to the camp of thy Brethren:
No. 2
1 Samuel 17:22
And ran into the army:
No. 3
1 Samuel 17:48
That David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the philistine.
No. 4
1 Samuel 17:51
Therefore, David ran and stood upon the Philistine.
There is a continued emphasis on David’s zeal to fight Goliath. The four times that he runs speaks volumes of his attitude to get the job done, as is the Lord’s zeal to fight sin. "David ran (four times), and stood upon the Philistine, and “disarmed him” (Samuel 17:51). In the third running of David, it says, “he hasted and ran towards the army” - that speaks of double enthusiasm. There is a possibility that this is consciously referred to in Col.2:15, where we read that Christ on the cross "disarmed principalities and powers, making a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them". Goliath represented the law and sin.
Look at this parallel portrayed at the last supper where Jesus addresses his disciples in Luke 22:15:
Then he said to them, with fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer: not just desire but "fervent desire"(NKJ).
(NIV): And he said to them, “I have "eagerly" desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer”.
Jesus told his disciples that he was excited about eating this specific Passover meal with them. He was so excited that he had already reserved a room for them, because this meal had special significance. This was the last meal before he was taken into custody, cruelly treated, and nailed to the cross. Jesus had planned and prearranged this place himself.
As David ran eagerly towards Goliath;
So Christ ran eagerly towards the cross.
The bible says he set his face like flint towards Calvary: wow!!
