David, the Five Stones, and Goliath
Let’s begin by reading the passage :
“And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine”.
1 Samuel 17:40
While this number of stones may seem like a random number or extra shots in the case that he missed, it could have actually been a precise act of preparation and faith. According to Scripture, the giant Goliath was not the only giant in the land at this time. He had a brother and three sons who also were men of war. These are mentioned later in 2 Samuel 21:15-21. While they did not come up against this young brave man at this battle, they did return with a vengeance at a later time. “These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants” (2 Samuel 21:22).
Thus, in addition to the stone meant for Goliath, the brave young man collected four additional stones. This could have been to meet the challenge of the giant’s family. He not only could have been preparing to defeat Goliath, but to end his lineage on the earth. Thus, David’s five stones represented his great faith that he could not only defeat this one giant but any other giant that would come his way.
Before this battle, David was anointed by God and given His Spirit (1 Samuel 16:13). From then, he was described by those in the king’s court as being, “… a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him” (1 Samuel 16:18). Note that while this brave man had only the humble position of a shepherd, with God’s Spirit, he became valued as one “prudent in matters” and even “a man of war.” Let this be an inspiration to us as Christians, that as we ask for the outpouring of God’s Spirit in our lives, we too can do great things in our our humble positions and overcome the giants we face today.
“…Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
