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This week we studied the rise of God's newly anointed king, David from 1 Samuel 16 and 17. Then we also David fight the mighty philistine warrior of Goliath. We always attribute a lot of faith to David for being willing to face a giant with only a slingshot and 5 stones, but have you ever stopped to wonder why did David grab 5 stones?

Was it that he thought he might miss? This is a possible answer. However, the arguments against this being the reasoning are very strong. First, I would argue if this was the case then David probably would have died before loading in a second stone. Secondly, it would suggest that David was lacking in faith, and confidence which as you read his statements to both Saul and then later to Goliath himself, these would not seem to be the case. Moreover, David almost boasts about his marksmanship when taking on wild animals that would prey upon his flocks.

Was it to represent some spiritual number such as the Pentateuch, the 5 books of Moses Law? Or the 5 foundations of faith: prayer, fasting, confession, the Bible, and the Eucharist. I don't think so. It is unlikely that the books of Moses were fully composed at the time of David's assent to the throne, especially considering that the Israelites were in transition from an oral and migratory people to a written and stationary nation during the establishment of the monarchies. I say this without trying to get into any specific about the authorship, and dating of the Pentateuch.1 It is also unlikely that the an Old Testament writer would be foreshadowing a specific sacrament or set of sacraments that we hold today nearly 3,000 years later.

Church tradition and lore has long held that it was for dealing with Goliath's brothers. Goliath had brothers? Well we have a few references to suggest this to be true, however none of the references give an exact number of relatives- specifically four brothers. (See 2 Sam. 21:15-22, and 1 Chronicles 20) However, we only know for certain that one of these giants slain was in fact a brother of Goliath.

So why 5 stones?

I think it was about being prepared. David had faith that the first stone was going to bring down Goliath. However, if had he only taken one stone he would have tested God, instead of God testing him. Moreover, it was a common practice for the family to avenge the death, and perhaps even a subordinate in the Philistine army might be swayed in his rage to attack David, and thus he needed to be prepared. I like the assessment of one forum writer who suggested that 5 seemed like a good number to him considering that these were probably not small stones. It was enough it could fit into his day pouch which usually carried the provisions for a day, but it was not so much that it prevented his mobility.

This week ask not only your children but yourself if you are doing your part to be prepared for how God wants to use you in slaying a giant this week. Are you equipping yourself with faith, confidence, and enough ammo to handle whatever may come as you try to overcome whatever Giant is standing in your way? For David it meant not putting on the conventional armor, the things that the world thought he should use, but using the gifts and talent God had given him in a new way. What giant do you need to slay? How can you prepare yourself to take it on?

- Pastor Charles





Posted on Fri, August 2, 2013 by Pastor Charles Scheffe giant goliath Saul David stones church history JEBD Chronicles king Samuel gifts talents confidence prepare

Sunday, June 16: This week we studied Judges 13-16, the story of Samson. We saw the tragic judge who lost his life while destroying the temple of the Philistines. But what happened that lead to the death of the world's strongest man? Before you answer that . . .

How Did Samson Lose His Strength?

Sunday, June 2: This week we studied Judges chapter 4 and 5. The story of Deborah, a female judge, and Barak (not the President, but the Commander of the Israelite army) and Jael. In the story, we watched as the Israelites again fell into the trap and cycle of apostasy - first they Abandoned God, then God allows them to placed into Bo***ge, the people Cried out, and then God Delivers them.

Can I mess Up God's Plan?