1 Samuel — Chapter 17

Goliath: \"a man spurious\" (Heb. benaim = between two armies / between two fathers = bastard). Lapide: Goliath was a giant of extraordinary size (six cubits and a span) from the race of giants, and of irregular birth — since illicit loves are most vehement and generate monsters and giants (as at Gen. 6). Rabbinical tradition: Goliath from Orpha, David from Ruth (but Lapide notes this is from Pseudo-Philo).

Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? Lapide: David, impelled by the Spirit of God, already conceives the idea of single combat with Goliath in defence of God's honour and Israel's. Ambrose (De Officiis I, 35): \"David never waged war except when provoked; prudence accompanied fortitude; against Goliath he rejected arms that would burden him — virtue relies more on its own sinews than on another's armour.\"

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. Lapide: David grounds his confidence in God on past experience of divine deliverance. This is the proper method of faith in trial: to argue from past mercies to present aid. Saul responds: \"Go, and the Lord be with thee.\"

He took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag... and his sling was in his hand; and he drew near to the Philistine. Lapide cites Augustine (serm. 197): David = type of Christ; Isai = type of the Father; the five loaves and ten cheeses sent to his brothers = Christ coming with the Decalogue of the Law and the mystery of the Trinity, to free the human race from the power of the devil-Goliath.

Thou comest to me with a sword and a spear and a shield; but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel. Lapide: spiritual arms vs. worldly force; David alone took on the burden and weight of the whole war. Ambrose: \"David, armed with divinity though appearing unarmed to men, killed the enemy from afar with the heavier blow of a stone — as afterwards Christ from a distance struck the devil with his cross.\"

The Lord will deliver thee into my hand; and I will strike thee down, and take off thy head from thee, and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands. Lapide: KEY TEXT. The battle is the Lord's — divine omnipotence and grace, not human weaponry, secure victory. Augustine: \"Christ armed not with iron but with wood conquered the universal foe; stood exulting and triumphing, and all who had the baptismal sacrament of renewal sang his triumph.\"

David slings one stone, which sinks into the Philistine's forehead, and he falls on his face. Lapide (Augustine, serm. 197): \"David bore the type of Christ. Who could fight against Goliath — that is, the devil — before Christ the Lord freed the human race from the power of the devil? For David is interpreted as 'strong of hand.' What is stronger than he who conquered the whole world armed not with iron but with wood?\" Five stones = five wounds of Christ (various; Lapide cites Augustine's allegorical reading of the five measures).

David took Goliath's own sword and cut off his head. Lapide (Augustine): Goliath/devil \"lost the head which he turned to many arts and frauds. The souls sing securely who before wept over the torments of their sins.\" And: \"The true Goliath lies prostrated by the humility of the Son of God.\"