“When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath[f] and to the gates of Ekron.Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp. 54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent.” 1 Samuel 17.51b-54
David did the deed. He defeated Goliath. The giant fell, and with the hero dead, the army of Israel was emboldened. They “surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines.” From Gath all the way to Ekron, 5.5 miles, they chased them. The army of God, once scared and afraid, was now able to slay giants because of David.
After their pursuit, they plundered the camp of the Philistines. But David wasn’t finished with his victory; he took the head of Goliath and brought it to Jerusalem. The Philistine’s weapons, however, he placed in his own tent. These items marked his victory, and the life of David would never be the same.
Saul noticed this event, as described in the verses that follow:
55 As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?”
Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.”
56 The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.”
57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head.
58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him.
David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.”
David and Saul’s worlds were about to collide—some of it for the good of Israel and some for its demise. Their relationship would forever be contentious.
But for now, David had won, and he was not about to let go of the head of Goliath until everyone knew of his defeat, which the Lord had given him. It was his trophy, as gruesome as it may seem, for he had been promised much by King Saul and Israel.
David did what no one else could. He was a man God raised up among thousands because he was a man after God’s heart and trusted in the Lord to win his battles.
This day, you might be facing battles of one kind or another. Let the Lord guide you. Allow Him to be your shield, your portion, and your provider. Just as God was faithful with David, I believe He will be faithful with you if you turn to Him. Honor Him, acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight—even when the odds seem to be against you.
“O Lord God, I praise You for this morning, for this time, for the ability to call out to You. To conquer my fears, doubts, giants, and insecurities. Have Your way with me. Guide me in steps of righteousness. Be my fortress and my strength. Thank You, Lord, for loving me and for allowing me to be the man You have called and created me to be. For You are good, and Your love endures forever.” Amen.