1Sa 17:23 | KingComments | STEP | David goes, but not without caring for the sheep. He goes because he has received a command from his father. When he comes close to the camp, everyone is in turmoil, because the army must draw up in battle array. Yet it is nothing more than an outward display because there is only fear for the enemy. The noise can impress someone who knows nothing about battle, but in reality, it means nothing. It is camouflage of the real impotence that prevails. God’s providence brings David to the army at the right time, as both armies prepare for battle. On both sides one positions oneself in battle array. When David sees all the movement, he hurries. He is aware that something is going to happen and feels that it is important to be there. In his rush to get there he makes sure his baggage is in safe hands. Before he does anything else, he complies with his father’s request and asks his brothers about their prosperity. While he is speaking with them, Goliath appears and makes his roaring language heard. It is remarkable that it says that David hears the words of the Philistine ( ). The Lord also hears all the careless, useless, words that people speak and will judge them on that basis ( ). All the men of Israel also see the Philistine and hear what he says. The appearance of the giant frightens the whole army to death, and they flee. All the men of Israel are still afraid, even though Goliath has been doing it for so many days. They do not get used to it. This is because they do not trust in God and He must therefore leave them and leave them to themselves (cf. ). David is an exception. He is not afraid because he knows that the LORD is with him. He is rightly a man of whom we can say he is skilled in his work and therefore on the way to promotion. He will be put in the service of the king ( ).

‏ 1 Samuel 17:23

David Comes to the Camp

David goes, but not without caring for the sheep. He goes because he has received a command from his father.

When he comes close to the camp, everyone is in turmoil, because the army must draw up in battle array. Yet it is nothing more than an outward display because there is only fear for the enemy. The noise can impress someone who knows nothing about battle, but in reality, it means nothing. It is camouflage of the real impotence that prevails.

God’s providence brings David to the army at the right time, as both armies prepare for battle. On both sides one positions oneself in battle array. When David sees all the movement, he hurries. He is aware that something is going to happen and feels that it is important to be there. In his rush to get there he makes sure his baggage is in safe hands. Before he does anything else, he complies with his father’s request and asks his brothers about their prosperity. While he is speaking with them, Goliath appears and makes his roaring language heard. It is remarkable that it says that David hears the words of the Philistine (1Sam 17:23). The Lord also hears all the careless, useless, words that people speak and will judge them on that basis (Mt 12:36-37).

All the men of Israel also see the Philistine and hear what he says. The appearance of the giant frightens the whole army to death, and they flee. All the men of Israel are still afraid, even though Goliath has been doing it for so many days. They do not get used to it. This is because they do not trust in God and He must therefore leave them and leave them to themselves (cf. Deu 32:30).

David is an exception. He is not afraid because he knows that the LORD is with him. He is rightly a man of whom we can say he is skilled in his work and therefore on the way to promotion. He will be put in the service of the king (Pro 22:29).