Category: armor

BFF: A Covenant Between Brothers

“After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David. 2 From that day on Saul kept David with him and wouldn’t let him return home. 3 And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. 4 Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt.” 

I Samuel 18:1-4 

It seems that Saul met with David immediately after the altercation with Goliath, a sort of debriefing. I can still see David carrying the decapitated head of the Philistine warrior. It would’ve been a bloody sight. 

After this meeting with Saul, he was no longer just a shepherd; David was now a warrior. 

There is something else–a new development, a commitment, or a covenant between David and Jonathan. Something significant happened there, and like most matters of the heart, it was difficult to explain. Some might think it was erotic, but that sullies and distorts this relationship. No, it was far more than that. 

Men generally avoid real friendship. In my 65 years I can think of 1-2 similar connections that approach this kind of depth or attachment. Almost all of my friends are more or less superficial. I rarely press beyond this. Maybe it’s kind of scary? 

David was anointed by Samuel to be the next king. He had been chosen to wield the power and authority of Israel with humility and grace. David knew it, but Jonathan saw it. 

I believe that Jonathan’s calling was perhaps more difficult: he had to yield the throne to David. Jonathan had to renounce ambition and pride. He would turn his back on his ego and drive. He would never be king. (Some would destroy themselves before we did this.) 

The text reveals some of the “covenant love” between these two men. Jonathan sheds off the trappings of his identity and gives them to David. In doing so, David is declared to be the future king.  

Jonathan commits to serving David. In his mind he rejects the notion of a hereditary monarchy. Being the king of Israel must be one of anointing, not who your father is. Both men recognize this implicitly. 

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

Romans 12:10, ESV

From this point on, David has the complete support of Jonathan for the rest of their lives.  

“The Battle is the Lords”

I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 47 and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.”

David knew what would happen before it actually did. Most likely it had to do with a faith that understood God, he truly accepted that “the battle was/is the Lord’s. He accepted this.

Not only did David see this in Goliath, but notice this in the text, “I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.”

David understood that David would be killed by him, but the entire army would also die that day.

It would be a total victory over the entire Philistine army.

Also, let’s consider this phrase “the battle is the Lord’s. David says this and establishes something each believer must embrace today. We live in a war that Satan has instigated. Each of us must know exactly what we’re up against. A killer, and a destroyer of people!

Check this out:

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

(Notice Jesus’ ministry on us though in this “wonderful” verse.)

Let’s go back to David. It seems when he was good he was very good, but if we’re to be honest, when he was bad, he was very bad. (But forgiven.) Now I don’t understand what you think about all of this. But he did repent, and he was pardoned.

David Faces Goliath

David Kills Goliath

As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. 49 Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground.

50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. 51 Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head.

1 Samuel 17:48-51

He moved in to attack. David had no sword, no shield. It was just him, and this monster from Philistia. He entered this valley, and he had nothing. Well, he did have his sling.

There was no one else from the Israelite who would engage the giant. No one but David. All were frightened, and yet all watched David step up. Keep in mind that Goliath blasphemed God, and even that didn’t matter. It seemed to have no effect. This was an army of cowards.

David was a man of faith.

He stepped out with courage and confidence, actually running to meet Goliath. And Goliath ran out to attack him. From the story of David and Goliath, we can learn that the God we serve is capable of defeating any of the giants in our lives—fear, depression, financial issues, doubts of faith—if we know Him and His nature well enough to step out in faith. When we do not know what the future holds, we have to trust Him. 

David becomes a vote of faith even for us today When he slung that rock he became our example. And we definitely need that.

“My attitude was and still is like that of David, who was ashamed that the armies of Israel would tremble before Goliath. Without hesitation he stepped forward with complete confidence in the God who had proven Himself to be faithful (1 Sam 17). For David, the size of the giant was irrelevant.”

David Hunt

Wearing Armor that Fits You

“Then Saul clothed David with his armor. He put a helmet of bronze on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail, 39 and David strapped his sword over his armor. And he tried in vain to go, for he had not tested them. Then David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” So David put them off.” 

1 Samuel 17:38-39, see also NLT

I sense that king Saul was worried and scared. Facing Goliath was a man’s job, not for a skinny boy. A defeat would be catastrophic. But the terms offered by Goliath would allow the Philistines total control over Israel. This was unacceptable.

But David had heard Goliath’s bellowing blasphemy, The God of Israel was being challenged and mocked. Something inside of David rose up. God’s honor was at stake.

No one thought that David had a “snowball’s chance in hell.”

In this passage we read that Saul offered David his own armor. Now I don’t know what was going through Saul’s mine–did he feel guilty or embarrassed? Why did he do this?

To allow David the boy to go ahead and fight Goliath was disturbing but David presents his case rather forcibly; he tells of his encounters with bears and lions attacking his flock. (1 Samuel 17:34-36.)

So, what traits is he showing? I think the first is zeal, and then courage, faith, self-sacrifice and righteous anger. But perhaps the most significant (and easily forgotten) is love. He simply loved God, and loved the nation (and armies) of Israel. Love is not always gushy. It’s action. It pushes one to take risks.

As I survey this passage I’m struck by Psalm 23. Most commentators believe this particular Psalm was written previously before this fight with Goliath. It was composed while David was with his flock out in the pasture.

That makes perfect sense. (Psalm 23:4-5.)

Wearing armor is necessary as a Christian. If you’re a born again believer, then it’s to be a critical part of who you are spiritually. When the apostle Paul writes to the Ephesian believers he pointedly refers to what we’re to wear spiritually when we stand against our personal “Goliath.” I would stress that this isn’t an optional feature.

“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.“

Ephesians 6:11-12, NLT