OCTOBER 26

MAKE SURE THEY’RE DEAD

1 SAMUEL 17:48-58


“Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.” (1 Sam. 17:51)

We fight giants every day, but often make the mistake of quitting before the battle is complete. Instead of destroying our enemies, we just chase them out of sight and leave them to return and fight another day. David declared, “I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed” (Ps. 18:37). Never was that illustrated in David’s life more than when he fought Goliath.

David had a holy hatred for his enemy. He wasn’t just trying to scare him off; he was out to kill him! David ran toward Goliath. He wasn’t tentative; he was bold. He slung the stone, and God made sure it hit its mark. Goliath, the giant of Gath, fell on his face before David.

But David wasn’t through yet. The Scriptures don’t say that Goliath was dead. He may have been, but he may not have. Certainly, the Philistines who were on the mountains watching couldn’t tell for sure the fate of their champion. However, David left no doubt. He climbed up on top of the giant, drew Goliath’s own sword, and cut off his head. Once David held the giant’s head in his hand, there was no doubt in anyone who had won. Goliath would never fight again!

We don’t know the exact reason why David chose five smooth stones from the brook (verse 40). We do know there were four other giants in Gath (I Chr. 20:4-8), one of which was Goliath’s brother. Perhaps David was ready to take them all.

If you have fought and obtained some relief, don’t quit until the victory is complete. Chase the devil out of every corner of your life! (AW)