ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

 No Mere Child's Toy

Na’e ‘ikai ko ha me’atau ‘a ha tamasi‘i

1 SAMUEL 17:40

THEN [DAVID] TOOK HIS STAFF IN HIS HAND AND CHOSE FIVE SMOOTH STONES FROM THE BROOK AND PUT THEM IN HIS SHEPHERD'S POUCH. HIS SLING WAS IN HIS HAND, AND HE APPROACHED THE PHILISTINE.

1 SAMIUELA 17:40

Pea ne to‘o hono tokotoko, ‘o ne fili ha‘ane fo‘i kilikili molemole ‘e nima mei he tele‘a, ‘o ne ‘ai ki he ‘angame‘a ‘a kau tauhi na‘e ‘iate ia, ki he kato loto; pea kuo ne to‘o mai ‘ene makatā: pea ne ‘unu‘unu ki he Filisitia.

The qela ("sling") was a lethal weapon, used all over the world in warfare and hunting. Armies included qalla'im ("slingers"), famous for their accuracy (Judg. 20:16; 2 Kings 3:25). So when David marched to meet Goliath, he wore no armor, but he was certainly armed - armed with a weapon he'd used to defend his flock from bears and lions (vv. 34-35). More importantly, though Goliath came with sword, spear, and javelin, David came armed with "the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel," whom Goliath had defied (v. 45). Written on that stone projectile, as it were, was the name of Yahweh himself. When David slew Goliath, everyone would know that "the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD'S" (v. 47).

Daniel foretold the uncut stone - the Messiah - who would strike the statue of the kingdoms of the world, crush it, and become a great mountain that filled the whole earth (2:34-35). The cosmic Goliath fell because this Christ-Stone bears the name of God. His kingdom has spread-and continues to spread-for the battle for our salvation is the Lord's.

"The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation" (Ps. 18:46).