And David Heard Him (1 Samuel 17:23)

 


Thursday, June 19, 2025


Psalms 110; 111

1 Samuel 17:1-23

Acts 10:34-48


Observance: Thanksgiving for Holy Communion


And David Heard Him (1 Samuel 17:23)


 As he talked with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him.


Boyhood lasts far longer than it ought to. In the schoolyard, boys find trouble, word spreads from the students to the teachers, and then the headmaster walks up to the calls of “you’re in trouble now!” The same situation repeats itself again and again on the streets outside clubs at night – young men, or hairy boys, do silly things, the bobbies arrive, and the same phrase rings out, just this time with years of practise, “you’re in trouble now!”


While we may feel this phrase is suitable for immature situations, there are also times in situations with more serious consequences when it comes to mind. Situations no less serious than when the Israelite and Philistine armies are lined up for battle, and the Philistine champion comes out the front to mock the Israelites.


No-one wanted to deal with this situation. All the boys were sitting around worrying themselves silly about the problem before them. But then the boy who was anointed king arrived. Now they’re in trouble!


David is what we call a “type” of Jesus. That is, he was gifted by God with certain characteristics, titles, and life circumstances that point us to Jesus. Christ is the eternally anointed king of the universe, and when he hears about problems, the problem-makers are really in trouble.


How often do we find ourselves in situations just like schoolboys mucking around, and those situations just seem like they are going from bad to worse? How often do we forget that all we need to do is pray to the King and he will sort it out? Are you in that type of situation right now? Have you asked our King to come and see what all the fuss is about and deal with it for you?


Christ our King: you are always more ready to hear our prayers than we are to make them. Come and make yourself known as our King and mighty deliverer, that our problems may vanish and we may be set free to glorify you in our lives.

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