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GOLIAH SLAIN.
David kills Goliah the Philistin, a Giant of a prodigious Bulk, with a Sling.
SAUL waging War against the Philistins, and their Armies being encamped near to one another, Goliah (a Phi∣listin of a monstrous big∣ness of Body, and corre∣sponding Pride and Inso∣lence) came for forty days together, insulting over the Israelites, and challenging them to send forth a Man to fight with him; telling them, it was better thus to finish their Quar∣rel by a single Combat, than to hazard both the Armies (and that if he should chance to be overcome, the Philistins would submit to them and be their Servants; as (on the con∣trary) if he should have the better, the Isra∣elites must be theirs. But such was the vast∣ness of the Body of this Giant, and his Arms and Warlike Accoutrements so terrible, that the hardiest of the whole Army of Israel durst not take him up, and enter the Lists with him.
It was at the same time, that Jesse sent his Son David to his three Brothers that were in S••ul's Army, to bring them some Provisions. As soon as he was come into the Camp, he saw this proud Giant, and finding himself powerfully animated and stirr'd up with Zeal for the Glory of GOD, he demanded of those he met with, what would be the Reward of him who should undertake to fight and kill that prophane and proud Philistin, who had taken upon him to defie the Armies of the living GOD? Who told him, that Saul, be∣sides the Royal Presents and Immunities he would bestow upon him that should kill the Giant, would give him his Daughter to Wife.
But his Brethren hearing him talk at this rate, reproached him for the Pride and Vani∣ty of his Heart, and bade him, go look after his Sheep, which he had expos'd to the rave∣nous Beasts of the Wilderness, only to please his vain Curiosity to see the Battel. But Da∣vid finding in himself very different Motions from those of human Pride and Presumption, and inflam'd with a Divine Zeal, declar'd him∣self openly in the Army, that he was ready to fight that proud Philistin, whom he did not fear at all.
As David was talking at this rate with extraordinary Zeal and Resolution, several of the Army minding his Words and man∣ner of Expression, brought him before Saul, who comparing David (that was but a Strip∣ling) with the bulk and strength of the Giant, would never have consented that he should hazard himself in so unequal a Combat, and under such seeming insuperable disadvantages; but that David told him, that he had already kill'd a Bear and a Lion that came to devour his Sheep, and that he question'd not at all, but that the great and glorious GOD, who had deliver'd him from the Paws of the Bear and Lion, would deliver him out of the hand of that uncircumcised Philistin.
Saul overcome by the force of David's Ar∣gument, agreed to let him undertake the Com∣bat, girding him with his own Sword, and putting his Armour upon him; but David finding himself cumbred with the weight of these Arms, quit them all; and betook him∣self to his accustomed defence of a Staff and Sling. Goliah seeing him draw near in this Equipage, was enraged to see himself so ser∣ved, and ask'd him, Whether he took him for a Dog, that he came to fight him with a Staff and Sling, threatning, he would give his Flesh to the Fowls of the Air, and the Beasts of the Field: But David boldly answering him in the Name of his GOD, ran to meet him, and having put a Stone into his Sling, he fixed it in the Philistin's Forehead, who fell upon his Face to the Ground, and then ran and stood upon the Philistin, and cut off his Head with his own Sword. The Philistins terrified at the death of their Champion, took their Flight, and the Israelites pursuing after them, gave them a great overthrow, and returning spoil∣ed their Tents.
This Victory is an admirable Figure of the Victory which the meek and humble Jesus has obtain'd against the Angel of Pride. The Fa∣thers have also consider'd this Philistin as the Image of Pride, which is the Enemy the People of GOD ought to fear above all others, yea, tho' they have already overcome Bears and Li∣ons, that is the strongest Lusts. They have also taken notice, that this Enemy cannot be over∣come with any human Arms, but with a Staff, which is a Figure of the Cross of Jesus Christ; and a Stone, which is an Emblem of the firm∣ness and Omnipotence of Faith.