Category Archives: Gleanings

David Meets Goliath’s Challenge (17:40-54) The writer now begins his third cycle of confrontation-challenge-consternation in verse 40. Confrontation: David and Goliath Face Each Other (vv. 40-41) Goliath is arrogant, proud, and blasphemous. He challenges the Israelites to send him their best warrior, and the winner takes all. Can you imagine the shock to Goliath and […]

David Witnesses Goliath’s Challenge (1 Samuel 17:12-39)   Goliath challenges Israel. In this passage, David witnesses this challenge and the writer begins his second cycle of confrontation-challenge-consternation.   Confrontation: Philistines and Israelites Face Each Other (vv. 12-22) Goliath, the Philistine champion, is described in verses 4-11 in terms of his towering physical stature and his […]

Goliath’s Challenge (1 Samuel 17:1-11)   There are two problems with the story of David and Goliath. First, like the story of “Daniel in the Lion’s Den” and “Jonah and the Whale,” we are too familiar with them. I do not mean that we know these stories too well, for most often we do not. […]

The Arrival of David in the Court of Saul (1 Samuel – 16:14-23) As noted above, the two halves of Chapter 16 are linked together in various ways and therefore constitute a literary unit. First, David being “seized” (in the Hebrew) by the spirit of Yahweh (vs. 13) and Saul’s request to “send” (the same […]

The Anointing of David (1 Samuel – 16:1-13) What caused the city elders to be terrified (vs. 4) at the unexpected visit of Samuel? Did they think that this was a disciplinary visit? Had Samuel gotten wind of some injustice or wickedness in their community? Did they think this put the city in a dangerous […]