The story of an unlikely champion facing a giant enemy is the most famous duel in History. It’s not a myth or child’s fable, it’s fact. But who was the real hero?

Time passes, and the army of Israel finds itself in a standoff with an enemy army across the Valley of Elah. The Philistines send a giant to defy Israel, challenging them to send a champion to fight Goliath to the death, with the losing side forced to serve the other. The precise details in Chapter 17 lends authenticity to this historical event. David gets permission to fight the giant without untested armor, but with a Shepherd’s sling and staff. Declaring and believing that the battle is the Lord’s, he strikes the giant down and kills him. The route of the Philistines follows, and is a great victory for Israel. Goliath and the wicked Philistines defied God’s people and therefore God himself. When we refuse salvation through Christ, or grieve and quench the Holy Spirit, we are also in defiance. Defying God always leads to defeat, and ultimately to death. David was surrendered and dominated by the Spirit (16:13), and was therefore empowered and enabled to defeat Goliath. The real hero of the story is God, who deserves all the glory. Jesus is a truer and better champion then David, our hero who fearlessly stands in the gap to secure victory over Satan, sin, and death.