The Battle Belongs to Yahweh

1 Sam. 17: 45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.  46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.  47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands.

David returns the formal boast. He boasts of killing Goliath but not in his own name. He will kill Goliath in the name of the Lord of hosts. David understands that God fights for him and that is why he can defeat Goliath.

We should note the contrast between David and Saul. Saul always makes the mistake of taking God’s glory for himself. David, who is a brave and capable youth, does not steal the glory that belongs to God. He understands that his bravery and capability comes directly from the hand of God.

Israel is trusting too much in sword, spear and Saul. David reminds them that God needs none of these weapons of war to defeat His enemies. He is the all powerful One and the battle is His.

48   And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.  49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.  50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.  51 Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith.

Goliath falls on his face before David and Yahweh. This is the position of prostration, extreme humility, a position of prayer. Goliath is humbled before the living God.