The Philistines, seeing that their champion was dead, were seized with fear and fled. But the Israelites, following after, slew a great number of them, and took possession of their camp.
COMMENTARY.
Pride. Goliath was arrogant and trusted in his own strength and mighty weapons. He boasted, sought the single combat for his own glory and scorned the people of God. This pride was the cause of his fall. “Pride comes before a fall”, and “humiliation followeth the proud, and glory shall uphold the humble of spirit” (Prov. 29, 23).
Humility and confidence in God. David was humble. It was no thought of renown which impelled him to fight the giant, but only zeal for God’s glory and the good of his people. He trusted in God’s help and not in his own powers or skill, and went forth to the unequal combat, full of the confidence that God would overthrow the Philistine by his means, and would thus manifest His power to the heathen. “The Lord who 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” (1 Kings 17, 37). God rewarded the humility and confidence of His servant by giving him a splendid victory over the terrible giant. God wished, by this victory of David, to draw the eyes of the Israelites to his virtues, and to awaken in. them a feeling of gratitude towards him who was to be their future king.
Application. Do you boast? Are you proud of your fine figure, of your strength, or of your understanding, memory &c. ? Make a resolution to subdue promptly all such thoughts of self-complacency.
You, too, have a Goliath to overcome, namely your besetting sin. Ask yourself which is your besetting sin, whether anger, envy, pride, sloth &c. Against this sin you must fight, not once, but every day of your life, if you hope to overcome it. Your weapons must be prayer and watchfulness. Pray for the virtue opposed to your besetting sin, and take care to subdue its movements when it first appears.
Chapter LII.
FRIENDSHIP OF JONATHAN AND DAVID.
[1 Kings 18]
WHEN David returned from the slaying of the Philistine, Saul called for him and asked: “Young man, of what family art thou?” Then David related all about his family and about himself. Now Jonathan, the eldest son of Saul, was standing
