Contrast Between Saul And David

Saul was desperate for someone to stop Goliath from demoralizing his army.  When he heard what David had said, he sent for him, in I Samuel 17:31.  “And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him.”  David had not bragged that he would kill Goliath or anything of the sort, but had simply said he was making fun of god and his army.  Saul was hoping he could use those comments some way to motivate the army and prevent their being demoralized by Goliath’s challenge.   

It was obvious someone needed to fight Goliath, and since no one else was willing, David volunteered.  Like David’s older brother, Saul assumed David’s offer was just braggadocio, and that he had nor real idea what he was facing, as I Samuel 17:32-33 tells us.  “And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.

And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”  After all, David wasn’t even old enough to join the army, and Goliath was a mature experienced soldier. 

David explained this was not the first time he had faced danger.  He also made it clear he recognized his victory had been because of God’s power, rather than his own skill and strength, in I Samuel 17:34-37.  “And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.  Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.  David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.”  If God would protect him against a lion and a bear that were just trying to kill some sheep, surely he would protect him against a giant who was trying to kill God’s people. 

With no one else willing to even try, Saul was stuck with David.  Hoping to improve his chances, he gave David the best weapons available, his own suit of armor, in I Samuel 17:38.  “And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.”

Saul was the tallest man in Israel, nearly a foot taller than anyone else, according to I Samuel 10:23.  David was just a teen ager who had not yet reached his full height, and the armor was way too big for him.  David realized it would actually hamper his ability to fight, and especially since he had never practiced using it, in I Samuel 17:39.  “And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.” 

Right here we see the contrast between David and Saul.  Saul’s entire focus was on human weapons and human abilities.   Like many leaders today, he thought he could win the victory if he had enough weapons and people were properly motivated. Like Jonathan, in I Samuel 14:6. David realized the victory depended on God rather than on military might or motivation. Too often, like Saul, we forget what II Chronicles 20:15 tells us. “…Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.”   Frequently the very things people think are most needed to do God’s work hamper us, just like the armor would have hampered David.