Insults that say a lot
I’ve been reading through the Bible since the beginning of the year, and I breezed through the familiar story of David and Goliath a few weeks ago. I haven’t, however, been able to just move on, even though I’m finishing up Isaiah right now. I keep thinking back to the life of David. I’ve been thinking specifically about the taunts used in the epic showdown, and what they say about the taunters’ underlying beliefs.
Goliath, 9’ tall giant, steps up and throws the opening volley: “Why have you come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul?” (1 Samuel 18:8) He calls the Israelite army “servants of Saul.” Clearly, that’s what he believed about them, but he didn’t understand, that they were actually just “fellow servants WITH Saul OF God.” He goes on to say in verse 10, “I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.” Again, Goliath identifies them with Jacob, their ancestor, but fails to see they are the army of God. Big mistake on his part.
Now David shows up on the scene. Young lad, bringing food for his brothers, hears Goliath give his daily (misinformed) spiel. David’s response? (Vs. 26) “who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” And there it is! David knew full well whose army Goliath was challenging. But I love David’s insult about Goliath. Uncircumcised Philistine. I’m preeeetty sure David couldn’t tell by outward appearances whether or not Goliath was uncircumcised. But what David was referring to was the fact that Goliath—as a Philistine, not an Israelite—didn’t have a covenant with God, or the promise from God that went along with that covenant.
Fast forward to the actual showdown, and Goliath is furious when David runs out, with no armor, not even a sword. (vs. 43-44) “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!” David’s lack of fear is more insulting to Goliath than anything David could have said. Again, indicative of a vastly different core belief between Goliath and David.
David then turns that taunt right back around on Goliath. (Vs. 45-47) “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.” David clarifies that the reason Goliath is going down is because he’s insulted God. That’s the why. Then he proceeds to tell him how God is going to do it, reiterating that the actual weapon used is largely irrelevant, because God is going to win the battle. That’s the how. David even goes so far as to predict he will cut off Goliath’s head… and he didn’t even have a sword in his possession when he said it!
The biggest, most revealing insult is when David informs Goliath that the ENTIRE PHILISTINE ARMY will end up as bird food, not just Goliath. He saw Goliath’s threat and raised it to cover the entire army. Plus, he’s really not satisfied with the “losing team gets to be the winning team’s slaves” proposal. Total annihilation is the only acceptable outcome in light of Goliath’s insolence.
Interesting stuff! Anyways, back to Isaiah.
