The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 336

blasphem{'?". Gol_iath was a terrible oppon~nt in a time when gunpowder as yet wn8 not, an<l pro,,-ess m the field depended on size, strength, and armour. No one dared to accept his challenge ; and as he stalked along the valley he scoffed at the men of lsra~l with imptmity. It ,ms a_ prodigy of courage on the part c,f a youth like Dand-howe,-er strong and active, not above the customary height of men-to assai_l that mo,:ing towe_r of brass. But it was no blind fanaticis:n, su~h as despises caut10n and skzll, and disowns the use of fit means, as thoug·h 1mplyrng a want oi faith. Da,-id's faith made him use his utmost care and dexterity, trusting in God to gi,·e him a sure aim and a quick victory. It is lj_Uite a mistake to dwell on the ~implidty of Dav!d in goin·g forth to the combat with a weapon so unlikely, so madequa~, as a slmg. On the contrary, he would have shown not simplicity only, but folly, 1f he had trusted to sword and spear. If he were to strike the g"iant at all, it must be from a distance, and not with weapons held in the hand; for Goliath's long arm and long spear would never have let him near enciugh to inflict a blow. So David shrewdly took the sling, with which he was familiar, and picked from the bed of the brook a few pebbles which would pass through the air like bullets. The sling was in fact the rifle of the period, and men who practised the art could make their bull's-eyes with this weapon as well as our modem rifle-shooters, though not at so great distances. The giant, seeing the shepherd's staff in David's hand, and probably not perceiving the thong· of the sling, demanded whether he was regarded as a dog, that might be bee.ten with a stick. Then he loudly defied the rash boy who ventured to meet him in combat, and cursed him by his own heathen god. Back across the valley went the noble answer of Jehovah's servant. "I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armjes of Israel, whom thou hast defied." Then came the terrible moment, and both armies "held their breath for a time." David made the attack. Nimbly he ran forward to ·be within shot. Goliath had opened tbe visor of his helmet to look at the foe whom he despised, and to shout defiance. Thus was his forehead exposed. David's quick eye saw the advantage; he slipped a pebble into the sling, and let it fly. A sharp whistle in the air, and the stone sunk into the giant's haughty brow. "He fell on his face to the earth." How the men of Israel shouted as they heard the clang of his heavy armour on the ground, and saw their young champion cut off the boaster's head with his own sword I Then it was the turn of the Philistines to fear and to flee; and the Israel• ites pursned them, e.nd "spoiled their tents." So one man gained three battles in a -day, and thousands reaped the advantage of bis victories. Is not this whe.t we have under the gospel? One who was born in Bethlehem, but in -vrhoin his own brethren did not believe, is onr Deliverer and the Captain of our salvation.' Jesus overca~e provocation by his meekness and lowliness of heart.· He overcame nll temptation to unbelief and self-will by his perfect trust in God his Father. He also overcame -that strong adversary who had long defied and daunted t~e pe?ple of <;Jod, and ha_d lifted up the name of false· gods on the earth, blasphemmg him who 1s true. This -enemy seemed to stride to and fro in the earth, and boast himself against the Lord with impnnity. But the Son of David has bruised the _enem:i:'s h_ead, laid low his pride, and now thousands and tens of thousands enter mto his victory a~d shout bis praise. To David belonged the honours of the day. Jonathan loved him. All Israel extolled him. So let us love and praise him who has won for us a gre~ter victory and a richer spoil. We thank victorious generals, we decorate valiant soldiers, we raise statues and trophies to national champions. But, in truth, the country which they have saved is their real monument, the nation which they rescue from oppression or danger is the true and lasting pillar of their fame. So !s it in regard to the Captain of our salvation. Words and offerings for his cause are msuffi- cient for his praise. The Church of the redeemed is his monument. .All whom he has saved out of the enemy's hand are to the praise of his glory. "Hosanna to the Son of David; hosanna in the highest I "-F. ·CB. XVIII. 1-30.] Tlrn finST BOOK OF SAMUEL. 330