Is it David and Goliath, or David vs. Saul?

An Analysis of First Samuel 17

(David) Tim Clark

#262737
626.241.0944
tclark@lifepacific.edu

Vanguard University of Southern California

Master of Arts in Leadership Studies
CLSG710/ Mission and Culture in Theological Perspective
Professor Doug Peterson
January 30, 2008
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Executive Summary:
Though David and Goliath is universally accepted as a classic tale of a seemingly
insignificant person courageously overcoming insurmountable odds, the story found in 1 Samuel
17 contains more than meets the eye. This essay argues that the narrative here is set among a
larger drama of God’s development of His people—the Kingdom of Israel—and serves as a
contrast point between a rejected king who did not trust God and a future king who did.

Outline:
1. Introduction
2. Historical and Literary Context
a. Historical context leading up to 1 Sam. 17: Saul on the decline; David on the rise
b. Literary context leading up to 1 Sam. 17: An expectation for David vs. Saul
3. Selected Contrasts
a. The set up: Saul terrified; David indignant
b. The obstacle: Eliab as a type of Saul who God passed over for David
c. The conflict: David trusts Yahweh and Saul does not
4. Conclusion and Application
a. Conclusion: This story exists to show that David and Saul’s character is opposite
b. Application: Kingdom leaders find their strength and leadership ability in God
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Introduction
Those who have grown up in church are very familiar with the story of David and Goliath.

From flannel graph visuals to singing vegetables1, this account has been told countless times and

in limitless ways. The core of the narrative—the little guy taking on an unbeatable giant—has

found its way into the cultural consciousness 2to such an extent that most Americans, religious or

not, should be able to identify a “David and Goliath” motif. However, the main point in 1

Samuel 17 may not be about a shepherd boy taking on an enormous foe, but about an anointed

emerging leader being contrasted against an incumbent king whom God had already rejected.

This essay begins by examining the context found surrounding 1 Samuel 17 and then

begins to develop the argument that this scene is not primarily about young David fighting

Goliath. This story is, instead, the introduction to the character of the man who would become

Israel’s greatest king—given sharp definition through comparison to the actions of Israel’s first

king. Finally, a brief application concerning what is important in Kingdom leadership will be

made.

Historical and Literary Context

King Saul and the Israelite army were, once again, preparing for battle in the ongoing

campaign against the Philistines. The careful reader of 1 Samuel will notice that often the

military accounts in the book serve to point out a leader’s trust in, or rejection of, God. Saul had

shown himself inadequate as king not because of poor leadership skills, but through multiple acts

of disobedience and self-sufficiency (1 Samuel 13 & 15). The Prophet Samuel had already

declared the end of Saul’s Kingdom and had been led to quietly anoint a new king, David, for

1
Einstein, There’s never been a show like Veggie Tales, 471-472.
2
Note the novels, movies, sporting events, political battles and many other arenas in which people root for a
“David” against the “Goliath”. It is a common archetype in narrative stories. Writing teacher Peter Rubie states,
“David and Goliath…which is about the lone underdog triumphing against overwhelming odds, clearly becomes the
basis for a great deal of the mythology of the American western frontier…Stories involving sports heroes are also in
this vein more often than not” (Rubie, The Elements of Storytelling: How to Write Compelling Fiction, 153).
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future leadership (16:1-13). In the midst of chapter 16 (v.14-23) it becomes clear that God’s

spirit had departed from Saul, and had descended upon David3.

It is accepted4 that 1 Samuel 16-31 is generally concerned with the story arc of “Saul and

David’s rivalry”5. The stage having been set through the previous chapters, and the characters

thus introduced, it is time in chapter 17 for the conflict in this drama to begin to take place. The

natural expectation for a reader with no previous knowledge of the “David and Goliath” narrative

would not have been for the conflict to be between the boy and a Giant, but would have pit the

newly anointed David against the previously rejected Saul. As commentator David Payne puts it,

“From the point of view of personalities, the story of David and Goliath marks a stage in the rise

of David and the decline of Saul.”6 It is with this background understanding and expectation

the reader comes to the story found in 1 Samuel 17.7

Selected Contrasts

The beginning of chapter 17 is concerned with the set up: After the Philistines and

Israelites had gathered for battle, the imposing champion defied Israel—and Saul—challenging

them to send someone out for representative combat8. The first time Saul reacts to Goliath is

seen in verse 11 when, upon hearing the giant, Saul became “dismayed and terrified.” That

statement is immediately contrasted by verse 12 (“Now David was the son of…”), which re-

3
In verses 13 & 14 of chapter 16 we see God’s Spirit coming upon David and the “evil” spirit from the Lord
tormenting Saul. There is not room here to address the issues surrounding the “evil” spirit from the Lord, but for a
detailed treatment on this subject, see: Howard, The Transfer of Power from Saul to David, 476; and, Davis,
Looking on the Heart, 32-33.
4
For example: Tsumura, The First Book of Samuel, 411; Davis, Looking on the Heart, 11; McKenzie, King David a
Biography, 83; and, Redpath, The Making of a Man of God, 31.
5
Peterson, 1 & 2 Samuel, 90.
6
Payne, 1 & 2 Samuel, 93.
7
It is possible to find significant, yet not insurmountable, challenges in the timeline of chapter 16 and 17. The
literary argument this essay adopts claims the timeline found in scripture is proper, allowing for the character
development and relationship between David and Saul, and moving the reader towards the first sign of conflict that
will continue through the rest of the book of 1 Samuel. For further support regarding this point of view see:
Tsumura, The First Book of Samuel, 434-435; and, Peterson, 1 & 2 Samuel, 100.
8
The three opponents being Eliab, Saul, and Goliath (Payne, 1 & 2 Samuel, 87.)
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introduces the boy who has already been anointed future king. A few sentences later, after

establishing David into this story, the reader notices David’s response when he first hears

Goliath. He is not afraid, but is in fact outraged that this man is getting away with disgracing

Israel and defying the armies of the Living God (v.26). It is not difficult to read into David’s

words his indignation towards the Israelites—including Saul—who have allowed such a thing to

happen.

Before encountering Saul, David has an encounter with his own brother (v.28). While this

may look like a classic older/younger brother spat, it seems, on closer inspection, to be part of

the literary structure which presents three key opponents who help build a case for David’s

character9. The reader will remember Eliab as the tall, handsome, oldest son of Jesse who was

the one God had rejected as the next king (16:6-7). As the story builds to the encounter between

David and the current king, the reader is thus reminded that while the first king of Israel was a

“head taller than any of the others” (10:23), and that there was “no one like him among all the

people” (10:24), the next king was not chosen based on “the things man looks at” (16:7), but

because he was “a man after (God’s) own heart” who would keep His commands (13:14).

Finally, verse 32 to 39 contains the first recorded conversation between David and Saul.

While the proper expectation would be for the king to speak first, David is recorded as the one

who takes charge of the conversation10 and provides leadership to the king11. During this

interaction, Saul agrees that David can fight the giant but offers his own armor and sword as

9
Davis, Looking on the Heart, 43.
10
Brueggemann, 1 & 2 Samuel, 129.
11
In verse 32, where David declares “let no one lose heart”, it is not difficult to believe that David is providing
exhortation to Saul himself since we have just read in verse 11 that Saul—along with all the Israelites—were
dismayed and terrified because of Goliath.
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tools for battle. David, who does not accept this offer12, later declares to Goliath (and to anyone

listening) that, “it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s” (v.47).

Goliath’s spear and Saul’s sword have nothing to do with the outcome; from the beginning

David has been claiming that it is Yahweh alone who will deliver (v.37, 46 & 47). By the time

the giant is killed and the Philistines routed13, it seems clear that while David shows deep

courage, this passage is not about “David’s strength or courage, but Yahweh’s strength in

David’s weakness.”14 Saul did not trust in God’s power, and he would never recover; the rest of

the book is about his slow demise as king and David’s rise to power.

Conclusion and Application

This story exists to show that these two men could not be more different. One is resolutely

committed to the honor of “armies of the living God” (v.26, 36 & 45—contrast to the “servants

of Saul” Goliath mentions in v.8), and the other is demoralized and afraid. David knew that

Yahweh was in charge, while Saul could neither provide leadership, nor recognize the true

leadership of God15. The cheese-delivering shepherd boy had left his things with the baggage to

take radical, immediate action required in leading God’s people while the legitimate leader (who

had hidden among the baggage16 when being declared King—10:22) had taken no action for 40

days. The lesson of ‘David and Goliath’ is not about the giant, but it uses the “uncircumcised

Philistine” to make a point that the king on-deck had a much different character and faith than

the incumbent ruler, something which would become evident as 1 Samuel continued to unfold.

12
Gunn suggests that David’s rejection of Saul’s armor, but the immediate acceptance and use of Jonathan’s armor,
shows that “the incident of the armor points up the fact that Saul’s way is not David’s way” and that “David can
receive from Jonathan what he cannot receive from Saul” (Gunn, The Fate of King Saul, 79-80.). Further, Payne
states that “There is probably symbolic meaning in David’s rejection of Saul’s armor: David’s rise to the throne
would be due entirely to God, and not at all to any benefits Saul might bestow on him” (Payne, 1 & 2 Samuel, 90.).
13
Payne points out that with this victory David achieved more against the Philistines on his very first battle than
Saul did in his lifetime (Payne, 1 & 2 Samuel, 92.).
14
Davis, Looking on the Heart, 48.
15
Brueggemann, 1 & 2 Samuel, 134.
16
Ibid., 128.
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Leadership in the Kingdom of God requires more than natural talent and adequate tools;

trusting and obeying God is key. Furthermore, the Lord’s anointing and the presence of His

Spirit are non-negotiable realities for those who would lead His people. A person after God’s

heart of whom He can say, “he will do everything I want him to do,” (Acts 13:22) will look to

God, and not to the surrounding circumstances—whether they are lions or giants; brothers or

kings—when deciding what course of action needs to be taken.

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Bibliography

Brueggemannm, Walter. First and Second Samuel. Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for
Teaching and Preaching. Louisville: John Knox Press, 1990.

Davis, Dale Ralph. Looking on the Heart, Exopsitions of the Book of 1 Samuel, Volume 2,
1 Samuel 15-31. Expositors Guide to the Historical Books. Grand Rapid, MI: Baker Books, 1994.

Enstein, Mara. “There’s never been a show like Veggie Tales: sacred messages in a secular
market.” Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 45, no. 3 (2006): 471-472.

Evans , Mary J. 1 & 2 Samuel. New International Biblical Commentary. Peabody Mass:
Hendrickson Publishers, 2000.

Gunn, David M. “The Fate of King Saul: An Interpretation of a Biblical Story.” Journal for the
Study of the Old Testament 14. University of Sheffield, England, (1980).

Howard, David M. “The Transfer of Power from Saul to David in 1 Sam 16:13-14.” Journal of the
Evangelical Theological Society 32 (1989): 476

McKenzie, Steven L. King David; A Biography. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000.

Payne, David F. 1 & 2 Samuel. The Daily Study Bible (Old Testament). Edited by John
C.L. Gibson. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1982.

Peterson, Eugene. I & 2 Samuel. Westminster Bible Companion. Edited by Patrick D. Miller & David L. Bartlett.
Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1999.

Redpath , Alan. The Making of a Man of God; Studies in the Life of David. Westwood NJ:
Fleming H. Revell Company, 1962.

*Rubie, Peter. The Elements of Storytelling; How to Write Compelling Fiction. Hoboken NJ: John Wiley &
Sons, 1996.

Tsumura, David Toshio. The First Book of Samuel. New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand
Rapids: William B. Eerdmands Publishing Company, 2007.