I Samuel XVII

1 The armies of the Israelites and Philistines being drawn out to battle.
4 Goliath cometh forward with a proud challenge.
12 David, sent by his father to the army to visit his bretheren,
20 Heareth the challenge, and expresseth indignation thereat.
28 Eliab his eldest brother chideth him.
30 His words cause him to be brought before Saul.
32 He accepteth the challenge, and sheweth the grounds of his
confidence.
38 He refuseth Saul’s armour, and armed with only a sling and a stone
slayeth the giant.
52 The Philistines are routed.
54 David bringeth back the head of Goliath.
55 Saul enquireth and taketh notice of him.

David and Goliath

I Samuel 17:1 Now the Philistines 1 gathered together their armies to battle, and
were gathered together at 2 Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and
pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in ‖ Ephes-dammim.

‖= Or, the coast of Dammim called Pas-dammim

I Chronicles 11:13 He was with David at Pas-dammim, and

there the Philistines were gathered
together to battle, where was a parcel of
ground full of barley; and the people fled
from before the Philistines.

Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and

were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah,
and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in the coast of
Dammim.

1
I Samuel 13:5 And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel,
thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which
is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash,
eastward from Bethaven.

2
Joshua 15:35 Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah,
II Chronicles 28:18 The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the low country, and of the south of
Judah, and had taken Beth-shemesh, and Ajalon, and Gederoth, and Shocho with
the villages thereof, and Timnah with the villages thereof, Gimzo also and the
villages thereof: and they dwelt there.
 I Samuel 17:2 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched
by the valley of Elah, and † set the battle in array against the
Philistines.

†= Hebrew, ranged the battle

And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and
pitched by the valley of Elah, and ranged the battle in array
against the Philistines.

I Samuel 17:3 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.

I Samuel 17:4 ¶ And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines,
named 3 Goliath, of 4 Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.

I Samuel 17:5 And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was † armed
with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand
shekels of brass.

†= Hebrew, clothed

And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was

clothed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five
thousand shekels of brass.

I Samuel 17:6 And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a ‖ target of brass
between his shoulders.

‖= Or, gorget

And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a gorget of

brass between his shoulders.

I Samuel 17:7 And the 5 staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's
3
II Samuel 21:19 And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where
Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the
Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.

4
Joshua 11:22 There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of
Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.

5
II Samuel 21:19 And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where
Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the
Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.
 head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield
went before him.

I Samuel 17:8 And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them,
Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine,
and ye 6 servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him
come down to me.

I Samuel 17:9 If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your
servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our
servants, and 7 serve us.

I Samuel 17:10 And the Philistine said, I 8 defy the armies of Israel this day; give me
a man, that we may fight together.

I Samuel 17:11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they
were dismayed, and greatly afraid.

NP 3rd day, 1st month, BY 5940

The opposition is very great now. Dr. Porter, a great bombast, is now representing
Goliath of old. He has spoken twice and deals in ridicule, in assertions, dealing out
falsehood and misrepresentations and all the while taking on the appearance of a godly
man. Picton, who challenged Elder Corliss for discussion, is acting like a man infuriated by
the demon spirit. He is preaching in the streets, and a noisy rabble congregates and there
is certainly the carrying of things with a high, boasting spirit. {Ms 60, 1895, par. 19}

NP 5th day, 1st month, BY 5940

Sunday, Caldwell, Maggie Hare, May Lacey, and myself drove to Ashfield in the platform
wagon. We started early to see Brother McCullagh, but missed him and arrived at the hall
an hour early. During this waiting time, the enemy pressed in his temptations upon me. It
seemed so inconsistent for a woman of my age to drive eleven miles to speak in the
evening. I thought there would not be many out; Porter was holding forth in a tirade of
abuse in the Petersham hall. His service was preceded by the baptism of eight or nine

6
I Samuel 8:17 He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.

7
I Samuel 11:1 Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against
Jabesh-gilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make a covenant with
us, and we will serve thee.

8
I Samuel 17:26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall
be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from
Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of
the living God?
II Samuel 21:21 And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew
him.
persons, and I thought my congregation would be small. I now know this was a temptation
of Satan. {Lt 22, 1895, par. 6}

Mr. Porter’s position against the law of God is mainly supported by abuse. He has
trampled the Lord God of Israel under his feet by abusing His law, the transcript of His
character. Next Sunday he expects to make a clean sweep of the whole law by showing
that it was done away at the crucifixion. Brother Hare was present, and Maggie Hare was
also there to take down his address in shorthand. Porter went out of his way to heap
personal abuse upon Brother Hare; held him up to ridicule, saying, after his remarks the
previous Tuesday night he thought he should have felt very much ashamed as he went
home that night. He pitied him. Contempt and ridicule is the worst kind of insult, and the
most difficult to endure patiently. But let us remember the proud boaster, Goliath, who
defied Israel. If this is not a circumstance similar to that one, I do not know where we can
find one. {Lt 22, 1895, par. 7}

I Samuel 17:12 ¶ Now David was 9 the son of that 10 Ephrathite of Beth-lehem-judah,
whose name was Jesse; and he had 11 eight sons: and the man went
among men for an old man in the days of Saul.

I Samuel 17:13 And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the

9
I Samuel 17:58 And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And
David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.
Ruth 4:22 And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.
I Samuel 16:1 And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have
rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send
thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
I Samuel 16:18 Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse
the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man
of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.

10
Genesis 35:19 And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is
Bethlehem.

11
I Samuel 16:10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And
Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.
I Samuel 16:11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There
remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said
unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
See
I Chronicles 2:13 And Jesse begat his firstborn Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimma the
third,
I Chronicles 2:14 Nethaneel the fourth, Raddai the fifth,
I Chronicles 2:15 Ozem the sixth, David the seventh:
 battle: and the 12 names of his three sons that went to the battle were
Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third
Shammah.

I Samuel 17:14 And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul.

I Samuel 17:15 But David went and returned from Saul 13 to feed his father's sheep at
Bethlehem.

I Samuel 17:16 And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented
himself forty days.

When the Philistines renewed war with Israel, David was permitted to go to his father’s
house to resume the occupation of shepherd which he loved. The Philistines dare not
venture their large armies against Israel, as they had heretofore done, fearing they
would be overcome and fall before Israel. They are ignorant of the weakness of Israel.
They know not that Saul and his people have great anxiety, and dare not commence the
battle with them, fearing that Israel will be overcome. But the Philistines propose their own
manner of warfare, in selecting a man of great size and strength, whose height is about
twelve feet, and they send this champion forth to provoke a combat with Israel, requesting
them to send out a man to fight with him. He was terrible in appearance, and spoke
proudly, and defied the armies of Israel and their God. {4aSG 79.2}

For forty days this proud boaster filled Israel with terror, and made Saul greatly
afraid, for no one dared to venture to combat with the mighty giant. Israel, on account
of their transgressions had not that sacred trust in God which would lead them to battle in
his name. But God would not suffer an idolatrous nation to lift their heads proudly against
the Ruler of the universe. He saved Israel, not by the hand of Saul, but by the hand of
David, whom he had raised up to rule his people. {4aSG 80.1}

Saul knows not what to do. He imagines Israel as Philistine slaves. He can see no
way of escape. In his trouble he offers great reward to any one who will slay the proud
boaster. But all feel their weakness. They have a king whom God does not instruct, who
dare not engage in any perilous enterprize, for he expects no special interposition from
God to save his life. As Israel had been partaker with him in transgression, he had no
hope that God would work specially for them, and deliver them out of the hands of
the Philistines. The armies of Israel seemed paralyzed with terror. They could not trust in
their king, whom they had demanded of God. Saul’s mind was changeable. He would for a

12
I Samuel 16:6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on
Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed is before him.
I Samuel 16:8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said,
Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
I Samuel 16:9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD
chosen this.
I Chronicles 2:13 And Jesse begat his firstborn Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimma the
third,

13
I Samuel 16:19 Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me
David thy son, which is with the sheep.
short time direct the armies, and then fear and discouragement would seize him, and he
would countermand his orders. {4aSG 80.2}

See Also 1SP 370.1,2 and 3; Compare with:

For forty days the host of Israel had trembled before the haughty challenge of Goliath,
the Philistine giant. Their hearts failed within them as they looked upon his massive form,
measuring six cubits and a span, or ten and a half feet, in height. Upon his head was a
helmet of brass, he was clothed with a coat of mail that weighed five thousand shekels, or
about a hundred and fifty-seven pounds, and he had greaves of brass upon his legs. The
coat was made of plates of brass that overlaid one another, like the scales of a fish, and
they were so closely joined that no dart or arrow could possibly penetrate the armor. At his
back the giant bore a huge javelin, or lance, also of brass. “The staff of his spear was like
a weaver’s beam; and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron; and one
bearing a shield went before him.” {ST August 10, 1888, par. 1}

For forty days, morning and evening, Goliath had approached the camp of Israel, saying
with a loud voice, “Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine,
and ye servants to Saul? Choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. If he
be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants; but if I prevail against
him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us. And the Philistine said, I
defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. When Saul
and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.”
No one had dared to go against this boaster, until David, stirred with indignation at the
proud words of the idolater, offered himself to Saul, as one who was willing to fight for the
glory of God and the honor of Israel. {ST August 10, 1888, par. 2}

I Samuel 17:17 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an
ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the
camp to thy brethren;

I Samuel 17:18 And carry these ten † cheeses unto the † captain of their thousand,
and 14 look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.

†= Hebrew, cheeses of milk

†= Hebrew, captain of a thousand

And carry these ten cheeses of milk unto the captain of a

thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.

I Samuel 17:19 Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of
Elah, fighting with the Philistines.

I Samuel 17:20 ¶ And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a

14
Genesis 37:14 And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy
brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of
the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.
 keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he
came to the ‖ trench, as the host was going forth to the ‖ fight, and
shouted for the battle.

‖= Or, place of the carriage

I Samuel 26:5 And David arose, and came to the place where
Saul had pitched: and David beheld the place
where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the
captain of his host: and Saul lay in the trench, and
the people pitched round about him.

‖= Or, battle array, or place of fight

And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with
a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him;
and he came to the place of the carriage, as the host was going
forth to the place of fight, and shouted for the battle.

I Samuel 17:21 For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against
army.

I Samuel 17:22 And David left † his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage,
and ran into the army, and came and † saluted his brethren.

†= Hebrew, the vessels from upon him

†= Hebrew, asked his brethren of peace, as

Judges 18:15 And they turned thitherward, and came to the

house of the young man the Levite, even unto the
house of Micah, and saluted him.

And David left the vessels from upon him in the hand of the
keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and
asked his brethren of peace.

I Samuel 17:23 And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the
Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the
Philistines, and spake 15 according to the same words: and David
heard them.

I Samuel 17:24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled † from him,

15
I Samuel 17:8 And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto
them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye
servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.
 and were sore afraid.

†= Hebrew, from his face

And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from his
face, and were sore afraid.

I Samuel 17:25 And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up?
surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who
killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and 16 will give
him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.

I Samuel 17:26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be
done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away 17 the
reproach from Israel? for who is this 18 uncircumcised Philistine, that
he should 19 defy the armies of 20 the living God?

I Samuel 17:27 And the people answered him after this manner, saying, 21 So shall it
be done to the man that killeth him.

16
Joshua 15:16 And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjath-sepher, and taketh it, to him
will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.

17
I Samuel 11:2 And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I
make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for a
reproach upon all Israel.

18
I Samuel 14:6 And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come,
and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the
LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by
few.

19
I Samuel 17:10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give
me a man, that we may fight together.

20
Deuteronomy 5:26 For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the
living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived?

21
I Samuel 17:25 And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come
up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth
him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and
make his father's house free in Israel.
 I Samuel 17:28 ¶ And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men;
and Eliab's 22 anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why
camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few
sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of
thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.

I Samuel 17:29 And David said, What have I now done? 23 Is there not a cause?

As David is performing an humble errand from his father to his brethren, he hears the
proud boaster defying Israel, and his spirit is stirred within him. He is jealous for the armies
of the living God whom the blasphemous boaster has defied. He expresses his
indignation, that a heathen, who has no fear of God, and no power from him, should be left
to thus hold all Israel in fear, and triumph over them. {4aSG 80.3}

David’s eldest brother, Eliab, whom God would not choose to be king, was jealous of
David, because he was honored before him. He despised David, and looked upon him
as inferior to himself. He accused him before others of stealing away unknown to his
father to see the battle. He taunts him with the small business in which he is engaged, in
tending a few sheep in the wilderness. David repels the unjust charge, and says, “What
have I now done? Is there not a cause?” David is not careful to explain to his brother
that he had come to the help of Israel; that God had sent him to slay Goliath. God
had chosen him to be ruler of Israel, and as the armies of the living God were in such peril,
he had been directed by an angel to save Israel. {4aSG 80.4}

I Samuel 17:30 ¶ And he turned from him toward another, and 24 spake after the
same † manner: and the people answered him again after the former
manner.

†= Hebrew, word

22
Genesis 37:4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all
his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.
Genesis 37:8 And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed
have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his
words.
Genesis 37:11 And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.
Matthew 10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

23
I Samuel 17:17 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an
ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy
brethren;

24
I Samuel 17:26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall
be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from
Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of
the living God?
I Samuel 17:27 And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the
man that killeth him.
 And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the
same word: and the people answered him again after the former
manner.

I Samuel 17:31 And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed
them before Saul: and he † sent for him.

†= Hebrew, took him

And when the words were heard which David spake, they
rehearsed them before Saul: and he took him.

I Samuel 17:32 ¶ And David said to Saul, 25 Let no man's heart fail because of him; 26
thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.

I Samuel 17:33 And Saul said to David, 27 Thou art not able to go against this
Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of
war from his youth.

I Samuel 17:34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and
there came a lion, and a bear, and took a ‖ lamb out of the flock:

‖= Or, kid

And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep,
and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a kid out of the
flock:

I Samuel 17:35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his
mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard,
and smote him, and slew him.

25
Deuteronomy 20:1 When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and
seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for
the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
Deuteronomy 20:3 And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against
your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye
terrified because of them;

26
I Samuel 16:18 Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen
a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant
man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the
LORD is with him.

27
See
Numbers 13:31 But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for
they are stronger than we.
Deuteronomy 9:2 A people great and tall, the children of the Anakims, whom thou knowest, and of
whom thou hast heard say, Who can stand before the children of Anak!
 I Samuel 17:36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised
Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of
the living God.

I Samuel 17:37 David said moreover, 28 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. And Saul said unto David, Go, and 29 the
LORD be with thee.

I Samuel 17:38 ¶ And Saul † armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of
brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.

†= Hebrew, clothed David with his clothes

And Saul clothed David with his clothes, and he put an helmet of
brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.

I Samuel 17:39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go;
for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with
these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.

28
Psalm 18:16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.
Psalm 18:17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they
were too strong for me.
&
Psalm 63:7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
&
Psalm 77:11 I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
II Corinthians 1:10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he
will yet deliver us;
II Timothy 4:17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the
preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was
delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
II Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his
heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

29
I Samuel 20:13 The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my
father to do thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest
go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father.
I Chronicles 22:11 Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the
LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee.
I Chronicles 22:16 Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise
therefore, and be doing, and the LORD be with thee
 I Samuel 17:40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones
out of the ‖ brook, and put them in a shepherd's † bag which he had,
even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to
the Philistine.

‖= Or, valley
†= Hebrew, vessel

And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth
stones out of the valley, and put them in a shepherd's vessel
which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and
he drew near to the Philistine.

NP

Since the close of the camp meeting, a trained debator challenged Elder Corliss to
discuss the Sabbath question. Three times during the debate the Lord opened before me
the manner in which the discussion should be conducted. I will send you a copy of this
matter, for I would be pleased to have you read it to others. There are many who feel that
it is their privilege to be sharp and severe in dealing with an opponent who states
falsehood as though it were truth and makes misrepresenting assertions. This debator, like
Goliath, was proud and boastful, and defied the armies of Israel; but the truth like the small
pebbles that David used, brought about his defeat. His weakness was apparent. {Lt 31d,
1895, par. 2}

I Samuel 17:41 And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man
that bare the shield went before him.

I Samuel 17:42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he 30 disdained
him: for he was but a youth, and 31 ruddy, and of a fair countenance.

30
Psalm 123:3 Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are
exceedingly filled with contempt.
Psalm 123:4 Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with
the contempt of the proud. *?
I Corinthians 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God
hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;*
I Corinthians 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea,
and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: *

31
I Samuel 16:12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of
a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint
him: for this is he.
 I Samuel 17:43 And the Philistine said unto David, 32 Am I a dog, that thou comest to
me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

I Samuel 17:44 And the Philistine 33 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.

I Samuel 17:45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword,
and with a spear, and with a shield: 34 but I come to thee in the name
of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou
hast 35 defied.

32
I Samuel 24:14 After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou
pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.
II Samuel 3:8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog's
head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy
father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand
of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?
&
II Samuel 9:8 And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon
such a dead dog as I am?
&
II Samuel 16:9 Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse
my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.
II Kings 8:13 And Hazael said, But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing?
And Elisha answered, The LORD hath shewed me that thou shalt be king over
Syria.

33
I Kings 20:10 And Benhadad sent unto him, and said, The gods do so unto me,
and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that
follow me.
I Kings 20:11 And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his
harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.

34
II Samuel 22:33 God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.
II Samuel 22:35 He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
Psalm 124:8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
&
Psalm 125:1 A Song of degrees. They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which
cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
II Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the
pulling down of strong holds;)
Hebrews 11:33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises,
stopped the mouths of lions,
Hebrews 11:34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness
were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

35
I Samuel 17:10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me
a man, that we may fight together.
 I Samuel 17:46 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 36 the carcases of
the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the
wild beasts of the earth; 37 that all the earth may know that there is a
God in Israel.

†= Hebrew, shut thee up

This day will the LORD shut thee up; and I will smite thee, and
take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases 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.

I Samuel 17:47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD 38 saveth not with
sword and spear: for 39 the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you
into our hands.

36
Deuteronomy 28:26 And thy carcase shall be meat unto all fowls of the air, and
unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray them away.

37
Joshua 4:24 TThat all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD,
that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.
I Kings 8:43 Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger
calleth to thee for: that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as
do thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded,
is called by thy name.
&
I Kings 18:36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the
prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be
known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have
done all these things at thy word.
II Kings 19:19 Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that
all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD God, even thou
only.
Isaiah 52:10 The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the
ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

38
Psalm 44:6 For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.
Psalm 44:7 But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated
us.
Hosea 1:7 But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD
their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor
by horsemen.
Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto
Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of
hosts.

39
II Chronicles 20:15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of
Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not
afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but
God's.
 In the presentation of unpopular truth, which involves a heavy cross, preachers should
be careful that every word is as God would have it. Their words should never cut. They
should present the truth in humility, with the deepest love for souls, and an earnest desire
for their salvation, and let the truth cut. They should not seek to provoke a debate. They
should not defy ministers of other denominations. They should not stand in a position like
Goliath’s* when he defied the armies of Israel. Israel did not defy Goliath†, but Goliath†
made his proud boasts against God and his people. The defying, and boasting, and railing,
must come from the opposers of truth, who act the Goliath†. But none of this spirit should
be seen in those whom God has sent forth to proclaim the last message of warning to a
doomed world. {T22 142.1}

Goliath†, who defied Israel, trusted in his armor. He terrified the armies of Israel by his
defiant, savage boastings, while he made a most imposing display of his armor, which was
his strength. David, in his humility and in his zeal for God and his people, proposed to
meet this boaster. Saul consented, and had his own kingly armor placed upon David. But
he would not consent to wear it. He laid off the king’s armor; for he had not proved it. He
had proved God, and, in trusting in him, had gained special victories. To put on Saul’s
armor would give the impression that he was a warrior, when he was only little David, who
tended the sheep. He did not mean that any credit should be given to the armor of Saul;
for his trust was in the Lord God of Israel. He selected a few pebbles from the brook, and
with his sling and staff his only weapons, he went forth in the name of the God of Israel to
meet the armed warrior. {T22 142.2}

Goliath* disdained David; for his appearance was that of a mere youth untaught in the
tactics of warfare. Goliath* railed upon David, and cursed him by his gods. He felt that it
was an insult upon his dignity to have a mere stripling, without so much as an armor come
to meet him. He made his boast of what he would do to him. David did not become irritated
because he was looked upon as so inferior; neither did he tremble at his terrible threats.
David replied, “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.” David tells Goliath* that in the name of the Lord he will do to him the very
things Goliah had threatened to do to David. “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.” {T22 143.1}

Our ministers should not defy and provoke discussion. Let the defying be on the side of
the opposers of God’s truth. I was shown that Bro. —— and other ministers have acted too
much the part of Goliath*. And then after they had dared and provoked discussion, they
trusted to their prepared arguments as Saul wanted David to trust to his armor. They did
not, like humble David, trust to the God of Israel, and make him their strength. They went
forth confident and boastful, like Goliath*. They magnified themselves, and did not hide
behind Jesus. They knew the truth was strong, and they have not humbled their hearts,
and in faith trusted in God to give the truth the victory. They have become elated and lost
their balance, and frequently the discussions have not been successful, and the result has
been an injury to their own souls and to the souls of others. {T22 144.1}

First note *= The original publication had the spelling as ‘Goliah’s’ and ‘Goliah’
Second note †= The original publication had the spelling as ‘Goliah’

See Also 3T 210-212; GW92 187.1-189.1

 I Samuel 17:48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew
nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to
meet the Philistine.

I Samuel 17:49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and
slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk
into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.

I Samuel 17:50 So 40 David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone,
and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the
hand of David.

I Samuel 17:51 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, 41 they fled.

David is brought before Saul, and tells him that Israel need not fear, “Thy servant will go
and fight with this Philistine.” Saul objects because of his youth. David refers to the perils
he had experienced in the wilderness, to save the sheep under his care. He humbly
ascribes his deliverance to God. “The Lord delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and the
paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.” Saul gives David
permission to go. He places upon David his own kingly armor. But David laid it off, and
merely chose him five smooth stones from the brook, a sling and staff. As the proud defier
of Israel saw the young man of beautiful countenance approaching him with this
equipment, he inquired, “Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves?” He cursed
David by his gods, and boastingly invited him to come to him, that he might give his flesh
to the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. “Then said David to the Philistine,
40
I Samuel 21:9 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.
Ecclesiasticus 47:4 Slew he not a giant when he was yet but young? and did he not take away
reproach from the people, when he lifted up his hand with the stone in the
sling, and beat down the boasting of Goliath?
I Maccabees 4:30 And when he saw that mighty army, he prayed, and said, Blessed art thou, O
saviour of Israel, who didst quell the violence of the mighty man by the hand
of thy servant David, and gavest, the host of strangers into the hands of
Jonathan the son of Saul, and his armour bearer.
See
Judges 3:31 And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six
hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel.
&
Judges 15:15 And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew
a thousand men therewith.
I Samuel 23:21 And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me.

41
Hebrews 11:34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out
of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of
the aliens.
Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield.” But I come to thee
not in display of armor, nor with powerful weapons, but “in the name of the Lord of hosts,
the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.” David makes no boast of superior
skill. His boast is in the Lord. “This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand, 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. And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet
David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. And David put
his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his
forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.” {4aSG
81.1}

I Samuel 17:52 ¶ And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and
pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates
of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to
42
Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.

I Samuel 17:53 And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines,
and they spoiled their tents.

I Samuel 17:54 ¶ And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to
Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent.

I Samuel 17:55 ¶ And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said
unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, 43 whose son is this
youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.

I Samuel 17:56 And the king said, Enquire thou whose son the stripling is.

I Samuel 17:57 And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took
him, and brought him before Saul 44 with the head of the Philistine in
his hand.

I Samuel 17:58 And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And
David answered, 45 I am the son of thy servant Jesse the
42
Joshua 15:36 And Sharaim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim;
fourteen cities with their villages:

43
See
I Samuel 16:21 And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became
his armourbearer.
I Samuel 16:22 And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath
found favour in my sight.

44
I Samuel 17:54 And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to
Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent.

45
I Samuel 17:12 Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem-judah,
whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for
 Bethlehemite.

ST 4 March 1886
RH 23 March 1886
AustYouth March 1, 1888, par. 7
ST 3, 10 August 1888

an old man in the days of Saul.