The Victorious Shepherd

David, a picture of Jesus

Today’s Through the Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 17; Psalm 144

Abbreviated Reading: 1 Samuel 17

“So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone…” 1 Samuel 17:50

David’s bravery and victory as he toppled the mighty giant Goliath is a classic Sunday school story. In a surge of knee-high enthusiasm, many a little tyke has come out whirling their sling. In a moralistic or inspirational narrative, this miraculous account of David and Goliath often concludes with “Be brave and courageous.” But if we look more closely, we will discover a treasure trove of rich redemptive pictures of our Shepherd and King Jesus, the Son of David.

~ David faced Goliath, who had taunted Israel for forty days, and Jesus resisted Satan after fasting in the wilderness for forty days (1 Sam. 17:16; Matt. 4:1–11).

~ David was criticized by his brothers, just as Jesus came to His own and His owe did not receive Him (1 Sam. 17:28; John 1:11).

~ Goliath demanded a sole victor, one representative from Israel who determined the entire outcome of the battle (1 Sam. 17:8–11). By one man, Adam, sin entered into the world, but through one man, Jesus, our victory was won (Rom. 5:18–19)!

~ David cut off Goliath’s head, winning the day. Jesus has crushed the serpent’s head for all eternity (1 Sam. 17:51; John 12:31; Rev. 20:7–10).

~ David’s victory came through God, just as our victory comes through Christ (1 Cor. 15:57). We are like the cowering Israelites—only after David defeated Goliath did they pursue the enemy (1 Sam. 17:52).

The moral of the story remains, “Be brave and courageous,” but keep Jesus at the forefront. Only because He has gone before can we follow Him in victory!

Today’s devotion is an excerpt taken from Jesus, Day by Day, Sharon Kaselonis, copyright Multnomah Publishing 2019