1 Samuel 17:28 And Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said… We may look at David and Goliath as they appear in contest, as illustrating the forms, spirits, weapons, and destiny of the great moral antagonists of our world — good and evil. 1. These two men give us a picture of the forms of good and evil. Evil in our world is like Goliath — of gigantic stature, immense energy, and imposing aspect. It is a colossus. Good in our world is like David in its appearance — small, weak, and insignificant; possessing nothing to which the world attaches the idea of strength or glory. So it appeared in Christ. "He was a root out of a dry ground." 2. These two men give us a picture of the spirit of good and evil. The spirit of evil, like that of Goliath, is proud, contemptuous, malignant. The spirit of good, like that of David, is that of humble trust and dependence upon God. 3. These two men give us a picture of the weapons of good and evil. Evil, like Goliath, has many and powerful weapons to fight its battles. Like Goliath, it is full-armed. Armies and navies are on its side. The weapons of good are of the simplest kind; the sling and stone of David would symbolise them. "The weapons of our warfare," etc. 4. These two men give us a picture of the ultimate destinies of good and evil. Goliath, notwithstanding his great strength, proud vanities and mighty weapons, was slain, and his body given to the fowls of heaven, and the beasts of the earth. So it will be with evil. Like the imago in the monarch's vision, the little stone of truth shall shiver it into atoms. The end of truth will be like that of David — triumphant and progressive in honour and influence in the empire of God. (D. Thomas.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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