FIVE SMOOTH STONES

1 Samuel 17:40

Morning Meditation 1/27/2013

"And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip (a bag in which to carry); and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine."

There is a lot of teaching in this verse. First of all David took his shepherd's staff, which he used in keeping his father's sheep, and chose rather to appear in the raiment of a shepherd than of a soldier." Next he "chose him five smooth stones." The word "chose him five smooth stones" means that he carefully examined the stones. I have a stone that I got in the very valley where this battle took place. I found a stone that I think would be about the size that David used. It is smooth and heavy enough to bring down a giant.

David carefully choose five of these stones. Someone has suggested that Goliath had four brothers (2 Sam. 21:15-22). He was ready for all of them!!!

There had to be a God-given boldness to young David. The giant was about 10 foot tall. Do you realize he would have to crawl into my house! And after you got him in the house, you would hope he didn't try to stand up. If he did, there goes the roof!!!

The number five is also the number of grace. David certainly received grace from God that day. A small shepherd boy tells King Saul that he will go out and meet the giant for the nation. David's brothers tried to dissuade him. But David had his mind made up. So Saul put his armor on David and he was having a time walking carrying the armor of Saul. Besides he had never fought with armor. So he chose his sling shot, a weapon he was familiar with. So grace prevailed that day.

Some would call this arrogance on the part of David. His own brother tried to talk him out of it. But David saw this battle as God's people against the Satan and his army.

1 Samuel 17:45-49, "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. 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. 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. 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. 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."

While the armies of Israel were trembling in the trenches David was going out to meet the giant in the name of the LORD.

'Faith and works together shine,

In Thy most holy will divine!" -- Anon.

David was not at this time a man of war. This victory elevated him to that position. And he proved in the future that he was truly a man of war.

We have a spiritual battle that is going on. We have the weapons defense and offence that can and will win out against Satan. These are found in Ephesians 6:10-18. I urge you to read them. Remember the battle is the Lords. He backs up His saints as we do battle in the line of duty down here.

May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ

Bro. White