Jim Humphrey Consulting


Vol 2, No 45 Vol 2, No 47

David vs Goliath - Type of Jesus' Faith

Volume 2, Number 46
Created Date: May 4, 2008
Posted Date: May 4, 2008

David's witness of faith vs. Goliath/ Jesus Christ vs. Satan (Part 3):

Our last study observed Israel paralyzed with fear by Goliath, without God's guidance because their leader King Saul had lost the Holy Spirit and was troubled with an evil spirit after he disobeyed God's Word. Then David, who had no official leadership role over Israel as yet, stepped forward by the power of the Holy Spirit and killed Goliath, saving Israel, 1 Samuel 16 & 17. In today's study we will examine how David's witness of faith, Hebrews 11:3232 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

, here was a type of and pointed to Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of Faith.

As we begin we note David's three eldest brothers were serving in King Saul's army. David had returned from Saul's court to tend his father's sheep when his father asked him to take bread, corn and cheese to Saul's camp and check on his brothers, 1 Samuel 17:13 - 1813 And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.

14 And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul.

15 But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.

16 And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.

17 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp of thy brethren;

18 And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.

. This action pointed to the time when God the Father sent His son Jesus Christ, John 3:16 & 1716 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

, to Jesus' brothers/sisters (all Israel), Matthew 12:47 - 5047 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.

48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

, etc., Himself being the bread of life, John 6:4848 I am that bread of life.

, 51. Not only was He The Bread but He, many times, miraculously provided bread and fish to feed His brothers/sisters, Matthew 14:15 - 2115 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.

16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.

17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.

18 He said, Bring them hither to me.

19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.

21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

, etc.

When David arrived at the battlefield the entire Israeli army had been cowering helplessly for 40 days before Goliath, who came out twice a day taunting someone to fight, 1 Samuel 17:44 And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.

, 8 - 10, 16. Upon observing this David immediately questioned out loud how a heathen like Goliath could defy the armies of the Living God. In other words, he did not look at the situation like Saul and the Israeli army. They were looking at the giant Goliath whereas David saw the army of the living God. When his brothers heard what David said they ridiculed, scorned and rejected him, calling him presumptuous, accusing him of having an evil heart, 1 Samuel 17:26 - 2826 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

27 And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.

28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.

. Jesus received the same reception from His own brothers when He came and spoke God's Word. They did not believe, John 7:55 For neither did his brethren believe in him.

, or accept Him, John 1:1111 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

, but ridiculed and ultimately had Him crucified.

There were several times that God's son Israel was tried for 40 days only to come up lacking in faith:


Jim Humphrey
Vol 2, No 45 Vol 2, No 47