And so, without a sword, David defeated and killed Goliath with a sling and a stone!
Samson killed 1000 men with a simple jawbone of a donkey (Judges 15:14-16). The big difference though is that with David, all the glory was God’s – with Samson, it just seemed to be all about himself. May your glory be made manifest in me, Jesus (John 17:10). Glorify your name Father (John 17:1).
…David… ran to him, stood over him, took Goliath’s sword out of its sheath, and cut off his head and killed him.
[David’s attack was so swift that Goliath didn’t even have the time to take the sword out of its sheath!] You always have to finish the job (1 Samuel 14:13). Not like in the movies where an adversary is left wounded and then he subsequently comes back to get you…
When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they ran away.
This makes me think of the disciples at the arrest of Jesus (Matthew 26:56). Lord, make me to be like Shamma (2 Samuel 23:11-12) and Paul (2 Timothy 4:16).
The men of Israel and Judah shouted and ran after them, pursuing them all the way to Gath and to the gates of Ekron. The Philistines fell wounded all along the road that leads to Shaaraim, as far as Gath and Ekron.
There are no lack of examples: those joining the battle after it has already been won (Judges 7:23-25), those who remain at home “discussing the pros and cons” of joining the fight (Judges 5:15-17) and those who pretend to have fought but didn’t (Judges 8:1-3).
When the Israelites came back from pursuing the Philistines, they looted their camp. David got Goliath’s head and took it to Jerusalem, but he kept Goliath’s weapons in his own tent.
Interesting: everyone went after what they saw was of value… And as for me: what do I value really?