To say that David’s slaying of Goliath was a defining moment in his life would be a gross understatement. His slaying of Goliath is that which brought him into the house of Saul and face to face with the king whose throne HE would by GOD’s ordination and determination occupy as the very type and foreshadow of the KING of kings and LORD of lords.
Saul is typical of that dominion of the flesh since he was enthroned at the request of the people and was the first king of Israel just as Adam was the first to have dominion in this world as the federal head and representative of the human race. All kings occupy their places of authority at the behest of HIM who gives the kingdoms of men to whom HE will. As Nebuchadnezzar discovered when “he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.” (Dan 5:21)
We are certain that Saul was ordained of GOD to be a king over Israel even though he was appointed a king in order to demonstrate the utter corruption of a nation who would desire to have a sinful man to rule over them. The LORD gave Israel just exactly what they desired even though HE warned them of the consequences. “Nevertheless, the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us.” (1Sam 8:19)(see I Sam. 8:4-22) Yet because of their innate corruption they sought for that which they thought would satisfy the lusts of their flesh and cared not what the consequences would be.
Adam was appointed as the head of mankind after the flesh. To him was given dominion over the earth but because of his sin he was driven from that place of dominion and caused to earn his bread by the sweat of his brow. His sin did not take GOD by surprise but was ordained by HIM as the occasion by which HE would demonstrate the grand glory of HIS grace and sovereign mercy in the redemption of sinners. “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1Cor 15:22)
It was in the reign of David that the ark was brought back to Jerusalem and glory restored to the kingdom as it was ruled by a “man after GOD’s own heart.” The promise was made by GOD that there would never cease to be a MAN of David’s house whose kingdom and government would have no end. Now we see the LORD JESUS CHRIST as just such a man to whom this KINGDOM was promised from the foundation of the world and who has not only been appointed to sit upon that throne but has purchased that kingdom and its citizens with HIS own blood and now reigneth forever. “Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.” (Psa 2:6-9)
So we see David as a picture of CHRIST in many ways. Even though we see him in stark contrast to HIM in others. For CHRIST was tempted in all points as we are yet without sin, but David was tempted and proved himself but an earthen vessel in need of a SAVIOR as much as any subject of the LORD’s kingdom is. David’s wickedness (as reprehensible as it was) is nonetheless a demonstration of the chastening hand of the LORD upon HIS own children. HE will not allow any of HIS elect to be destroyed even though Satan may desire to have them and sift them as wheat. HE must ever increase but we must decrease, and we are often brought low that HIS grace and glory might be exalted. “But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom 5:20-21)
The LORD is always able to accomplish HIS will in the earth through any fashion which HE so designs. It has pleased HIM according to scripture to cause the gospel to be proclaimed in the earth through the instrumentality of men. (see Rom 10:13-15). While we believe this to be true we can learn several things about the manner in which HE is pleased to choose and use those whom HE determines to be made ready for this task. As David chooses five smooth stones to be used in the task before him we see CHRIST stooping:
HE chose five smooth stones. CHRIST is the ONE who selects those HE will send with the gospel message just as surely as HE chose those whom HE would have to hear it. “And how shall they preach, except they be sent?” (Rom 10:15)
HE chose five smooth stones. CHRIST does all things according HIS purpose and nothing occurs by chance. David no doubt knew that Goliath had three sons and a brother who must be ultimately slain so he was merely making ready for that eventuality. (see II Sam.21:15-22) Those whom CHRIST appoints unto this task are sent with a specific message for a specific people even though each is sent to openly proclaim the truth of GOD. HE has a multitude which HE has appointed and is dependent upon no single one. (see I Sam. 14:6)
HE chose five smooth stones. The LORD equips and prepares those whom HE sends. Stones are not naturally smooth. However, when the LORD places them in a brook where they are tumbled and abraded against one another the passing of time wears off the rough edges. Some would dare to go into battle with unproven armor or that which is supplied by the learning of the flesh, but GOD is pleased to prepare HIS stones and in the furnace of trial and affliction to teach them that all of their righteousness is HIS alone. GOD does not choose men based on their suitability for a task but rather HE’s the ONE who makes them suitable. Those who are made suitable for this task are not the most eloquent nor the most learned as judged by men but those who are taught that all of their strength comes from HIM.
HE chose five smooth stones. Stones are of little to no value. They have no power nor skill of their own let alone the ability to carry out any task. All of their usefulness is brought forth by the ONE who is pleased to use them as instruments of HIS glory. They can add nothing to the task at hand to which they are sent but are simply objects in the hand of HIM who slays giants and destroys principalities according to HIS own design.
Not even a giant can stand when HE who chooses a stone and puts it in HIS sling lets it go with unfailing aim. It always finds its mark due to the skill of the SLINGER. “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isa 55:11) Well did Paul remark “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2Cor 10:3-5)
“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” (2Cor 4:5-7)
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