Since the 1800s, “a philistine” has referred to a narrow-minded and materialistic person who deprecates the life of the arts, spirituality, and intellect. Historically, however, the Philistines were just an ethnic group of an unclear genetic origin, who lived in the Late Bronze to Early Iron Age (12th – 9th century BC) in the 5 coastal cities of Canaan, among which you will recognize the name Gaza. From the beginning of the Israelite invasion to King David’s time, they continually threatened the Jewish commercial routes and settlements. The single combat between David over Goliath, about which we read today, decided the course of only one such battle. This time, the Philistines merely retreated, breaking Goliath’s promise to submit if he lost. But eventually, David had dealt the final blow, the Philistines left for good, and suffered the fate that,  ironically, awaited Israel herself (i.e., an assimilation into Assyria and Babylon).

Today’s story became equally iconic in popular culture, art, and Sunday school; likely, because it represents the archetypal theme that hope is possible even in the face of the greatest challenge or evil, and even if the traditional methods of fighting it are unsuitable for you (like the sword and shield were too heavy for David, the “underdog”). The story has a distinct superhero flavour, like something out of the Marvel universe, or more accurately, of the Iliad (760-10 BC) that supplied much of the content for the action movies of today. Both Nestor and David were the youngest and most disparaged of many brothers, and yet slayed a gigantic, club-wielding and armour-clad opponent. Nestor killed Ereuthalion and got his chariot, David killed Goliath and got his sword, and both received boy-hero worship and enduring popularity.

But neither book is a purely historical text. The OT does not present a linear view of history (what source does?), and offers multiple and occasionally contradictory accounts of the same events. For example, in 1 Sam. 17, and according to many generations of Sunday school teachers, it was David who killed Goliath – but, in 2 Sam. 21 it was Elhanan. Possibly, the latter story was accurate, but as David rose to power, the deed became attributed to him; and the post-exilic editors, who began to focus on David as the ancestor of the Messiah, incorporated the version that supported their purpose best. A couple of other contradictions include Saul asking who David was at the end of the story, having already offered him the armour, as well as David taking Goliath’s head to Jerusalem — the city yet to be captured by him only after he became king. As such, since the 1950s, the scholars have generally agreed that multiple independent narratives were told/written over time, compiled by the 7th century BC, and then formed into the text we currently have during/after the exile, in 6th century BC.

We don’t worry about explaining all of this in Sunday school, however, because for that audience, the meaning matters more than how the text came to be. Indeed, what’s important is that the 6’9” Goliath became defeated because he stood against God’s people – but only by a short, inexperienced youngster who personally had God on his side; and not by his lord Saul, who stood over 6’ but seemed not to have been appropriate as the eventual leader of the people. There’s something else we don’t tell the kids though, which is that Saul promised a set of rewards to the one who kills the giant, including his youngest daughter in marriage. He did honour this promise and offered Michal to David – and she actually loved him (1 Sam. 18) – but Saul still expected to receive the bride price, and David couldn’t afford it. So, Saul demanded the foreskins of 100 Philistines instead, hoping to get his rival killed. David brought 200 of these, forcing Saul to resort to ambushing him in his daughter’s room. Michal saved David by risking her life and helping him escape through her window. Did David ever thank her? No. She was given to another man, and David took other wives from each tribe of Israel as his unification strategy — still to demand the return of Michal later on! Her opinion of him had plummeted enough that on one occasion, she dared to mock his exuberant dancing. In retaliation, he cursed her (ensured that?) she never had a child… What a story! Is this truly the best God could do in choosing a king for his chosen people, Israel? 

No; but that’s not the original point of the story, is it? To glorify David was the job of the later editors. The real point is that anyone can win – but only with God’s grace “working in us, doing infinitely more than we can ask or imagine”, despite ourselves, yet in collaboration with us. We are coworkers with Christ, as St Paul said, and the parables about which I spoke to you last week revealed. To win, David still utilized his own skill and intelligence, knew what weapons would work for him, and developed the strategies based on his assessment of the opponent. He might have thought of the potential for the giant to have poor vision, as acromegaly sometimes causes this, and exploited his other weaknesses, such as being weighed down by the armour and having to coordinate with a shield bearer.

Likewise, when we face our own issues and difficulties, externally and internally, we do ask for God’s help, and we may be comforted to know that s/he is on our side; but at the end of the day, nobody can do the work for us – we have to analyze the situation and identify the approach that is right for us; using the skills and strengths given to us by God, but developed by our own effort. Furthermore, some types of coping strategies for mental health and conflict resolution about which we might read, or hear from experts and friends, might be great for others, but “too heavy” or otherwise unsuitable for us. Even in matters of spirituality, some rites and traditions may be very fruitful for others, but too cumbersome for us.

So, who are the giants that threaten our freedom? What storms, winds, and evil spirits must we tame inside our hearts, like Jesus did? In approaching all of these challenges, may we recognize our skills and talents, personality and spirituality traits that will help us regain our peace – as always, with God’s help. 

Discussion Questions

The books 1 and 2 Samuel present the key players in the history of ancient Israel. Samuel was its last “judge” (tribal leader), and David was the monarch who had built Israel into the empire that it became, albeit only for a few hundred years. Saul, however, was a transitional figure, who bore the burden of bridging the old order and the new way of life, and whom both Samuel and David eventually opposed. 

Have you ever found yourself in a such transitional role, similar to that of Saul: rejected by predecessors and successors, or older and younger family members, or struggling internally, unable to move with the times, yet no longer at peace with the status quo?

Like David, have you ever been the unexpected agent of change? Or like Samuel, recognized the time to let go?

In all such situations, what helped you to “quell the storms” of life and of your own heart and mind?