Menu

1 Samuel 18 – After the Giant-Killing

There’s a danger that our familiarity with the story of David blinds us to its shocking twists and turns. We know that David quickly becomes a hero after killing Goliath, but almost as quickly becomes Public Enemy Number 1 in Saul’s eyes, spending up to 10 years on the run. Ten years hunted, harried, hounded, and hiding as an outlaw. Just pause – is that what you’d expect from a national hero? He toppled a giant and tanked the Philistine army. He is welcomed as a war hero. He is the court favourite, and good-looking too. On top of it all, he’s the King’s favourite music artist. He is an All-Star hero flying high in the aftermath of one of the most astounding victories ever. Where does it all go wrong?

It all begins to go downhill right after the victory, on the way home. It goes downhill because of the victory and its aftermath – it happens after the giant-killing.

Remember David is not just a person like us; he holds a special role as the anointed king of God’s people. He is the LORD’s messiah, or christ. So he stands as a signpost to and shadow of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. His life experience is like a scale model of the real deal, pointing to a true and better king.

When we look at this chapter from this angle it immediately becomes relevant to us. We too live in the aftermath of the great victory of God’s King. Jesus has killed the giants of Sin, Satan and Death, rescuing God’s people from ruin and slavery. We live after the giant-killing. David has won his victory, but his kingdom is not yet fully established. Jesus too has won his victory but his kingdom is not yet fully and finally established, and won’t be until he comes again. In this chapter we see what life is like after the victory of God’s king, that is, our time and place.

Questions

  1. When did Jesus win his victory, and when will his kingdom be fully and finally established?

Prayer Points

  1. Ask God to equip you this week to live ‘after the giant-killing’
  2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
  3. Pray for family matters.