ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

 Falaite Tisema 17, 2021

your servant will go and fight with this Philistine

ko ho‘o tamaio‘eiki ko au ‘e ‘alu ‘o tau mo e motu‘a Filisitia

 

1 Samiuela 17 (1 Samuel 17)

(v. 31-32) Pea ‘i he‘enau fanongo ki he ngaahi lea na‘e fai ‘e Tēvita, na‘a nau ‘a‘au ‘i he ‘ao ‘o Saula; pea ne fekau ke ne ha‘u. Pea fakatau folofola ‘a Tēvita kia Saula, Ke ‘oua na‘a vaivai ha loto ‘o ha taha koe‘uhi koe siana ko ē; ko ho‘o tamaio‘eiki ko au ‘e ‘alu ‘o tau mo e motu‘a Filisitia.

(v. 31-32) Now when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul; and he sent for him. Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”

Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

The story contained in this chapter is one of the most familiar of the Old Testament narratives. It places Saul and David in sharp contrast as each stands out in clear relief.

In the presence of the enemy of his people, notwithstanding his position and his army, Saul is seen to be utterly incompetent. On the other hand, David, without human resources, but conscious of the true greatness of his. people, and sure of the strength of his God, went forth to battle with the Philistine champion.

The secret of his strength is revealed in his address to Goliath, 'Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a javelin; but I come to thee in the name of Jehovah of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, which thou hast defied."

Whereas under ordinary circumstances it is the duty of the servants of Cod to make all preparation possible for action, and to employ every resource available in the prosecution of the divine purpose, a man in an hour of crisis may attempt impossible things and be assured of victory in the name of God.

In the divine economy, Saul was no longer king, and David was. He demonstrated his fitness for the kingly position and power by his victory, which revealed his clear understanding of the true secrets of his people's strength and of the power of God.

David Guzik :: Study Guide for 1 Samuel 17

They reported him to Saul: It wasn’t as if David’s words were all that bold. He never said, “If I went out to fight against that Philistine, I would whip his tail. He’s nothing.” David didn’t talk like that, but at least he stood up to Goliath. David didn’t show a lot of backbone but he showed more courage than anyone else in Israel, so it was worth reporting to Saul.

Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine: Saul waited a long time – at least 40 days – to hear someone say these words. But to hear them now, from the mouth of this boy, almost seemed like a cruel joke. “The good news is that some one finally wants to fight Goliath. The bad news is that he is a little shepherd boy.”

David’s words to Saul almost made the matter worse. “Let no man’s heart fail because of him” almost sounds like, “All right everyone, calm down, I’ve got the situation completely under control.” It seemed ridiculous coming from this teen-age boy. It seemed like youthful pride and overconfidence, but it wasn’t.

Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine: These are bold words. This is the first time David specifically volunteered to battle Goliath. It is one thing to say, “Someone should do something about the enemy.” It is entirely another thing to say, “I will do something about the enemy.”