Is it David and Goliath, or David vs. Saul? An Analysis of First Samuel 17(David) Tim Clark #262737626.241.0944tclark@lifepacific.eduVanguard University of Southern CaliforniaMaster of Arts in Leadership StudiesCLSG710/ Mission and Culture in Theological PerspectiveProfessor Doug PetersonJanuary 30, 2008

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Executive Summary:

Though David and Goliath is universally accepted as a classic tale of a seeminglyinsignificant person courageously overcoming insurmountable odds, the story found in 1 Samuel17 contains more than meets the eye. This essay argues that the narrative here is set among alarger drama of God’s development of His people—the Kingdom of Israel—and serves as acontrast point between a rejected king who did not trust God and a future king who did.

Outline:

Introduction2.

Historical and Literary Contexta.

Historical context leading up to 1 Sam. 17: Saul on the decline; David on the rise b.

Literary context leading up to 1 Sam. 17: An expectation for David vs. Saul3.

Selected Contrastsa.

The set up: Saul terrified; David indignant b.

The obstacle: Eliab as a type of Saul who God passed over for Davidc.

The conflict: David trusts Yahweh and Saul does not4.

Conclusion and Applicationa.

Conclusion: This story exists to show that David and Saul’s character is opposite b.

Application: Kingdom leaders find their strength and leadership ability in God

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Introduction

Those who have grown up in church are very familiar with the story of David and Goliath.From flannel graph visuals to singing vegetables

, this account has been told countless times andin limitless ways. The core of the narrative—the little guy taking on an unbeatable giant—hasfound its way into the cultural consciousness

to such an extent that most Americans, religious or not, should be able to identify a “David and Goliath” motif. However, the main point in 1Samuel 17 may not be about a shepherd boy taking on an enormous foe, but about an anointedemerging leader being contrasted against an incumbent king whom God had already rejected.This essay begins by examining the context found surrounding 1 Samuel 17 and then begins to develop the argument that this scene is not primarily about young David fightingGoliath. This story is, instead, the introduction to the character of the man who would becomeIsrael’s greatest king—given sharp definition through comparison to the actions of Israel’s firstking. Finally, a brief application concerning what is important in Kingdom leadership will bemade.

Historical and Literary Context

King Saul and the Israelite army were, once again, preparing for battle in the ongoingcampaign against the Philistines. The careful reader of 1 Samuel will notice that often themilitary accounts in the book serve to point out a leader’s trust in, or rejection of, God. Saul hadshown himself inadequate as king not because of poor leadership skills, but through multiple actsof disobedience and self-sufficiency (1 Samuel 13 & 15). The Prophet Samuel had alreadydeclared the end of Saul’s Kingdom and had been led to quietly anoint a new king, David, for

Einstein,

There’s never been a show like Veggie Tales

, 471-472.

Note the novels, movies, sporting events, political battles and many other arenas in which people root for a“David” against the “Goliath”. It is a common archetype in narrative stories. Writing teacher Peter Rubie states,“David and Goliath…which is about the lone underdog triumphing against overwhelming odds, clearly becomes the basis for a great deal of the mythology of the American western frontier…Stories involving sports heroes are also inthis vein more often than not” (Rubie,

The Elements of Storytelling: How to Write Compelling Fiction,

153).